DISH and Chiropractic

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) also known as Forestier’s disease and as ankylosing hyperostosis, is a noninflammatory spondyloarthropathy in which the spinal ligaments and tendons calcify and ossify. The whole spine maybe involved but, usually, the right side of the thoracic spine is affected while the disc spaces and facet joints remain intact. The most common complaint from patients with DISH is feeling morning stiffness in the back and/or thoracic pain. Patients with more advanced DISH may also complain of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and a hoarse voice. Patients with Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) are often treated with acetaminophen and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc). Cortic steroids are used in more extreme cases. Furthermore, in an effort to slow the progression of DISH, exercise and often physical therapy is recommended. Chiropractic is particularly helpful due to the fact that it focuses on manipulating/adjusting vertebral segments and thus helps to maintain mobility, slow progression, and helps with preserving spinal ranges of motion.

Dr. Eshanov, (chiropractor, Montclair NJ), treats DISH patients with several goals in mind. The first is to get the patient out of pain and/or reduce any discomfort. The second goal is to help them keep their range of motion and try to restore any loss of mobility. Lastly, the third goal is to slow progression of  the disease. The Montclair chiropractic center offers gentle chiropractic care as well as therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, clinical nutrition and yoga.

The following is a link to a study done by Dr. Troyanovich et al. on a patient with DISH who responded well to chiropractic treatment.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12704313

(If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, please contact our Montclair chiropractor,  Dr. Eshanov at (973) 900-2660. Saturday appointments are available upon request.)