13. Q. I have had X-Rays/MRI/Cat-scans that Show a Structural Abnormality. Can IMS Help Me?
A. Many patients at some point will likely have had an X-ray/MRI/CAT-scan study to 'look at' the structures underlying the painful region, including cervical or lumbar spine, shoulder rotator cuff, knee joint cartilage (meniscus) or kneecap (patello-femoral), heel. Some will be given a diagnosis of 'degenerative or bulging disc', 'disc space narrowing', 'cervical or lumbar spondylosis', 'rotator cuff tendonopathy or impingement', 'knee: meniscus thinning or patello-femoral chondromalacia', 'heel spur' based on any abnormalities seen. Although these are reliable indicators of the wear and tear (degeneration) that invariably accompanies radiculo-neuropathy, studies have consistently shown that the structural abnormalities seen on imaging studies have a relatively low correlation with the symptom of pain. For example, lumbar spine MRI studies reveal the presence of an abnormal disc in 30% of patients WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS OF BACK PAIN. Conversely, of patients WITH BACK PAIN, only 40% show any abnormality of the disc. Taken together, these studies prove a minimal correlation, if any, of pain with abnormal X-Rays or MRIs. While even a high correlation does not prove a causal relationship between MRIs and pain, the near absence of any suggests an alternative cause for the patient's pain.
When structural abnormalities are seen on imaging studies, careful physical examination will usually reveal signs of neuropathy at the corresponding spinal segmental levels. Treatment of muscle contractures at these levels with IMS will often relieve the pain that is attributed to the structural abnormality. |
DrGoodman@NorthwestIMS.com