What's in an image?

You have had low back pain for ages, and you've finally decided to seek help which leads to an x-ray, MRI, or some sort of image. Now you've been told you have a "disc", disc degeneration, or arthritis. Now what do you do? Toss it up as a loss and move on and expect pain to return? Absolutely not!

 

When we dig a little deeper into injuries identified on an image the results become interesting. In this specific scenario, research has shown that just because there is a finding it DOES NOT mean it is the source of your pain.

 

While using x-rays and MRIs are an exceptionally powerful tool at our disposal, they are not indicated in most scenarios when it comes to mechanical pain. In most cases, imaging was shown as being over utilized leading to further testing, imaging, or other considerations increasing substantial costs related to the incident! Make sure that you are going to a provider that is able to help identify and guide you in the right direction prior to moving towards further testing. The infographic shows that people can have findings that don’t lead to pain and injury and they are normal findings. Don’t get hung up on a word!

 

I want to fix my pain, but I don't know what to do or where to go.

 

Do not get hung up on a word that is told to you.  Take charge. It is important to find out why. Some options to consider right off the bat are to look into Chiropractic care, Physical Therapy, etv. to figure out if there is a movement or pattern that is leading to your pain. Create a team.

 

Focus On Health uses the Selective Functional Movement Assessment to identify these faulty patterns, which may be the source of your pain.  We apply what we learn from watching you move to help you achieve pain RELIEF, assist you in moving BETTER, and challenge you in The Movement Lab to outperform your pain and focus our care on your goals. 

 

Create a team. Learn why something has happened.

 

 Pain Relief. Prevention. Performance.

 

What does all this mean?

  • Results of an image are NOT always the reason you hurt

  • Figure out the source of the movement causing pain

  • Be in charge of your pain, not a victim

  • Seek help through health care professionals

  • DO NOT give up

  • Move Well. Move Often.

Cervical: Nakashima, H et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2015.

Lumbar: Brinjikji, W. et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 2014.

Knee: Beattie, K.A. et al. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2005.

Shoulder: Schwarzburg, R. et al. Orthop J Sports Med, 2016.

Hip: Register, B. et al. Am J Sports Med, 2012.


Research Article

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464797/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25430861/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15727883/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26779556/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23104610/

Lumbar Disc Herniation



References:

Beattie KA, Boulos P, Pui M, O'Neill J, Inglis D, Webber CE, Adachi JD. Abnormalities identified in the knees of asymptomatic volunteers using peripheral magnetic resonance imaging. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2005 Mar;13(3):181-6. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2004.11.001. PMID: 15727883.

Brinjikji, W et al. “Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations.” AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology vol. 36,4 (2015): 811-6. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4173

Chou R,  Fu R,  Carrino JA,  Deyo RA.  Imaging strategies for low-back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2009;373:463.-72

Krista Kippenberger