Since spondylolisthesis
involves vertebral shifting or subluxation,
the usual recommended treatment is rest and possibly even a brace or a body cast
for up to six months. Not only is this a very unpopular treatment, but immobility
and casting are tremendously detrimental to ligament healing. In other words,
the problem with this approach is that it does not do anything to damaged ligaments
and, thus, does not alleviate the chronic pain that people with this condition
experience.
Another standard practice of modern medicine is to inject steroids or to prescribe
anti-inflammatory medications. However, in the long run, these treatments do
more damage than good. Cortisone shots and anti-inflammatory drugs have been
shown to produce short-term pain benefit, but both result in long-term loss of
function and even more chronic pain by actually inhibiting the healing process
of soft tissues and accelerating cartilage degeneration. Plus, long-term use
of these drugs can lead to other sources of chronic pain, allergies and leaky
gut syndrome.
When all else fails, patients who experience chronic pain from spondylolisthesis
may be referred to a surgeon. Unfortunately, surgery often makes the problem
worse. Surgeons will use x-ray technology as a diagnostic tool, which does not
always properly diagnose the pain source. |
