Do you need to be an MRI expert to provide IDD Therapy spinal decompression?

The simple answer is no.?

Many practitioners I speak to about IDD Therapy feel they have a knowledge gap when it comes to reading MRIs.? And they think that this precludes them from helping more patients and in turn substantially growing their practices.?

With IDD, the MRI and report help you to rule out contraindications first and foremost, assist with determining the level of the spine to be treated, and get a better idea of the likely progression of treatment.?

Contraindications?

The contraindications for spinal decompression are common sense.? E.g fractures, cauda equina, spondylolisthesis > grade 2??

Contraindications are identified either in your assessment or may be revealed in the report of an MRI.?

Diagnosis Tool

?When a patient comes to see you with sciatica, you can have a good idea from dermatomes which level of the spine is affected.?

L3: Anterior thigh and knee

L4: Anteromedial leg and knee

L5: Lateral leg and dorsum of the foot

S1: Lateral foot and posterior calf

?The MRI report can confirm this, although it should be said that there are variations in the way MRIs are reported.?

The saying “treat the wo/man, not the scan” applies.? But the report helps form diagnosis and thus the treatment plan, namely which angle is going to be used for the decompression, start tension (e.g allowing for type I vs type II modic changes).?

Treatment Plan

The IDD Therapy programme is based on twenty progressive sessions spread over 6 to 8 weeks divided into stages.? Sometimes where a patient may have multiple pathology, they may need more treatment and the scan helps to manage the patient’s expectations.

IMPORTANT – everyone knows the natural recovery pathway for most disc pathology and that they settle on their own. We are focused on those primarily with chronic conditions.? These conditions have not recovered naturally or with standard manual therapy, exercise, CBT, NSAIDS, injections etc.?

MRI Education

MSK clinics see a high proportion of patients with back pain, neck pain and leg pain.? There is a movement away from “scanning” routinely but ?many practitioners have poor knowledge levels of reading MRIs.?

Or in plain terms looking at an MRI and knowing what you are looking at, which should be a basic skill.?

It may not be necessary to be a radiologist but being able to interpret MRI images of the spine to better understand anatomy and pathology can only be a good thing, especially when seeing back pain patients.?

And being better able to read an MRI and explain to patients what is happening helps patients connect with the plan of care.? E.g if we want to engage patients to exercise, explaining the MRI image with muscle and fatty deposits, like a ribeye steak, helps patients understand why they need to strengthen their muscles.

Side note – I know from talking to patients and physios, that patients got some relief from old school traction. But technology and methodology shortcomings of traction aside, not knowing what you are treating, which level of the spine and treating blind with a “try it and see” approach was undoubtedly detrimental to achieving good outcomes.

Training To Get Better

At our company Steadfast Clinics, we help clinicians do more for patients providing technology and training to grow as clinicians and as a business.??

We partner with a training group and provide six hours of CPD training taking clinicians through the basics and fundamentals of MRI interpretation of the spine.??

I recorded a podcast on the subject of IDD and MRIs with Rob Shanks – see The Spinal Decompression Show on Spotify. (listen here)

It is much less complicated than people think and I do find it surprising that MSK practitioners are not better trained in reading MRIs.?

All of the practitioners providing IDD Therapy become more knowledgeable, better clinicians and more confident.

Of course, there are times of uncertainty about a scan. ?This is why we have a community / hive where practitioners routinely share MRIs to discuss and seek opinion.?

The training is something IDD providers do as part of their development as clinicians, which in turn helps to improve their level of expertise.??

CPD makes you a better practitioner.? In spine care, MRI training only serves to make you a better clinician.??

With IDD Therapy in your practice you will see more patients who have had MRIs and you will reach a stage where you can interpret them … with your eyes closed.?

Learn More

If you would like the satisfaction of helping patients get their lives back, getting off meds and away from injections and surgery whilst giving you a clinical USP to grow your business, get in touch to see how you can start your journey.

The Accu-SPINA is an asset in your clinic and on your balance sheet.

Book a call below or email at [email protected].

Best wishes,

Steve

Useful Links:

Spinal Decompression Show Podcast

Schedule a call with me on Calendly

IDD Opportunity Webinar Now