Question
I had an MRI done on my lumbar spine and I had a few questions regarding the findings and impression. It says that there is a mild bilateral facet arthropathy at L5-S1, which results in a minimal retrolisthesis of L5 on S1. An incidental note was made that the thecal sac congenitally tapers at L5-S1 disc space level. What does this all mean? I have had chronic lower and upper back pain, and neck pain for years. Another MRI that was done on my thoracic and cervical spine showed that I could have a syrinx cyst in each part, but the neurologist feels that I just have a prominence of the spinal cord in those areas that I was born with. Nothing I have done has helped with my pain except prescription pain pills, which works as a Band-Aid, but will not fix the problem. I do not know what to do next.

Hopefully you can help,
Tamara

Answer
Hello, Tamara,

The part of this report that is noteworthy is the retrolisthesis of L5/S1.  Generally, the condition indicates muscular contractions that displace the vertebrae, and those contractions are pain generators as can be the displacement, itself.

The arthropathy is degeneration of the joint surfaces, possibly due to muscular compression, but the report doesn't say anything about the muscular condition of the area -- typically missing from MRI reports.

Where I can be of help is in advising you to consider clinical somatic education to alleviate the muscular contractions involved in the pain along your spine.

May I suggest you read my write-ups on the condition at

http://www.somatics.com/back_pain.htm
http://www.somatics.com/chronic_back_pain.htm

Clinical somatic education generally works quickly and produces lasting results.