Moriarty Chiropractic Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes

“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Moriarty Chiropractic says “Don’t panic too much.” Our Nashua back pain and neck pain patients have good company regarding MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is developing about just what Modic changes on MRI mean for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Moriarty Chiropractic creates some perspective about these common MRI findings.

WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?

“Modic changes” is a phrase used to explain the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are basically considered to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes.  Modic type II changes represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes are the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow left. (1) Moriarty Chiropractic appreciates the opportunity to take care of a painful back as early in this flow of change as possible. Moriarty Chiropractic treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.

WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT THE SPINE?

Modic changes are familiar findings on MRI. Modic changes on MRI appear in spinal degenerative diseases and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration. Greater Modic changes were linked to higher age, higher body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and absence of daily vehicle vibration looked to have minor effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Moriarty Chiropractic urges proper lifestyle choices for overall good health!

WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?

What is unclear is the research about just what Modic changes imply for back pain patients. Recent research demonstrated that Modic changes were not found to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The research reported that low back pain patients who had Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful news to our Nashua chiropractic back pain patients!

CONTACT Moriarty Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed his Cox® Technic treatment plan for their back pain relief to his patients so they understand.

Schedule your Nashua chiropractic appointment today. Bring any MRIs with you. Together, Moriarty Chiropractic and you will look at them for information and develop a treatment plan for Nashua back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!