You’re not your scans!
Over the years, a number of studies have looked at MRI or CT scans of the spines of symptom-free people. What the studies showed was that many people were happily walking around with a range of degeneration and damage in their backs, and never even realised it.
One study in 2015 showed that even in symptom-free 30 year olds, 52% of them had some kind of degeneration to their discs (the fibrous pads that separate the spinal bones). This degeneration included bulging (40%), protruding out of place (31%), height loss (thinning) (34%) and fissures (tears) (20%). In theory (and practice) any one of these problems could contribute to pain and loss of function, and yet these people never even noticed!
What’s even more amazing, is that 5% of these symptom-free 30 year olds had a serious condition called Spondylolisthesis, where stress fractures in your spine can allow it to slip forwards.
Link to study: Click here
Disk degeneration
So what does this mean?
If you’ve ever had a spinal, or other scan, and had damage or deterioration pointed out to you, do not despair! These studies show that it's perfectly possible to have a range of wear and tear in our backs, including quite serious conditions, and still be able to function normally with no pain.
How certain people manage to function normally whilst accumulating this degeneration is interesting in itself. I believe it’s a classic example of how our bodies are cleverly designed to compensate for loss of function in one area by upping their game in others. This is where osteopathy can often help, by improving this compensation response across the body. For a low back problem, along with improving the function of the low back itself, this could maybe mean helping the middle back and neck move more freely, not to mention looking at the hips, knees and ankles! Then it’s possible to think even more widely and improve overall wellbeing by looking at sleep, diet, exercise and stress levels.
If you are looking for an East Grinstead Osteopath please get in touch with:
Cliff Russell, Registered Osteopath
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