Is Surgery Always Needed for Back Pain?
When your back hurts, you will do almost anything to relieve the pain. Most people with this pain will consult with a medical specialist – an orthopedic surgeon and/or a neurologist – to get advice on what to do. These doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of bone, joint, nerve, and tissue disorders, and can be very skilled at what they do: prescribing medication and performing surgery.
But is surgery always necessary in every case of back or spinal pain?
In some cases, surgery is warranted and can help a patient’s condition noticeably improve. In other cases, however, this is not always the case. Some post-surgical patients may notice some improvement, some may not notice any improvement, and in some cases, pain gets even worse.
Is Surgery An Option?
The fact is, surgery is one of the most invasive procedures you can put your body through. Reports of suffering from dozens of complications are common. Anaesthesia alone can cause severe problems: from lethargy and sleepiness after the surgery, to coma or even death in some cases.
Additionally, there is always a need to consider and evaluate the post-surgical recovery time involved with each procedure. Depending on the type of surgery you choose, it may take anywhere from several weeks to several months before you feel strong and healthy again. You typically need to spend several weeks resting in bed, and most find they need to take one month or more off from work.
While only a small number of people suffer from these complications, you still need to consider the risks before choosing surgery. But aside from the risk, surgery is very expensive and can cost 3-5 Lahks or more.
So what can be done to screen for patients who may not benefit from back surgery? The answer is never simple from a medical standpoint. More blood tests, MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasound images might be able to determine the cause of the problem if it is related to a blown disc or ligament. But what happens if the problem is a disc herniation or joint problem caused by a STRUCTURAL dysfunction, such as an imbalance of the pelvis, short leg, strained posture, or scoliosis? Short of surgery, there is no answer.
Medical doctors are trained to locate and fix disease processes that have gone so far they require surgery. But what if a patient has an imbalance in the spine with chronic nerve interference? Are MDs properly trained properly to deal with chronic structural problems?
Since medical specialists seldom request standing X-rays or MRIs, the short answer is No. It is only through specialized images and range of motion palpation can a doctor find and see the gravitational forces that are acting on the pelvic and spinal segments, causing disc bulging, nerve interference, and pain. Yet, still, most MDs will advise surgery in cases where physical therapy and exercise have not helped. Because of their training, they feel that patients have no other option. But they do…
Chiropractors are highly trained to find and fix such back problems resulting from structural dysfunction . . . by finding and correcting “subluxations,” or problems in the joints that do not rise to the level of a “dislocation.” Such subluxations are slight misalignment of the joints of the hips or spine that result in swelling of the disc, nerve root interference (or “pinching”), and pain.
Chiropractors can be defined as “Functional Neurologists” in that they are primarily concerned with finding and fixing the nerve impingements that can cause chronic pain, poor posture, stiffness, and dysfunction.
But what if Chiropractic cannot help with the back pain? Then he or she will refer the patient to their orthopedic surgeon. This is sometimes necessary in cases of very advanced disc herniation or prolapse with chronic and continuous pain. Within just a few visits your chiropractor may advise you to get surgery if the condition is severe enough and he cannot provide the necessary relief.
But trying Chiropractic care first is always a good idea. The fact is, a chiropractic care package may cost several thousand Rupees, but can never interfere if surgery is ultimately needed. Surgery, on the other hand, will cost at least ten to twenty times more, and may often rule out Chiropractic care as an option once surgery is done and the vertebral joints are fused.
The most cost-effective formula is this: Chiropractic first, than surgery. This is great advice since over 92% of Chiropractic patients never need surgery after care!
DR. SPINE CHIROPRACTORS CAN HELP
Low back pain is the most common condition we see at our clinic. It can be both long-lasting and terrible in its effects on daily life and activities. Millions of people suffer from this type of pain every day, but most have the thought that bed rest and some medication will make it go away. While this is true in some cases, most of those suffering through this agony for some time begin to realize they need help. But usually, by the time the person makes this decision, surgery is the only option they are offered by their medical doctors. While some doctors may begin by suggesting medication, physical therapy, or exercise, these treatments rarely correct the problem for longer than a few days or weeks.
Alternatively, the Chiropractic Specialists at Dr. Spine Chiropractic clinics are American-trained and have many years of experience finding and correcting the CAUSES of chronic back pain – subluxations of the neck, lower back, and spine. They start by inquiring into the patient’s history, current symptoms, and any aggravating factors. Then they perform a complete orthopedic and neurological examination specifically designed to find the root cause of the patient’s problem. In all cases, they will look at existing MRIs or X-rays but may suggest standing X-rays of the affected areas if none were taken previously.
Chiropractic care is far less invasive than surgery, and Chiropractors are the foremost experts who can help determine what causes your back pain. It might be something as simple as poor posture. When you walk with a slight hunch, you put more pressure on your neck and lower back, which can lead to increased pain and discomfort. Once he has determined the problem, the Chiropractor will have you lie on a specialized table and bend and push your body into different positions, all of which are designed to align the joints, muscles, and bones in your back. Many people report feeling better after just one session with a chiropractor.
With chiropractic care, you don’t need to worry about any recovery time. Pain, however, often returns in full or in part, simply because the body is not used to being in alignment. It needs a little help to “train” the nervous system and muscles to adapt to a newer, healthier posture, so more visits may be needed.
But follow-up visits are easy and quick, usually taking no more than 10-15 minutes. You can attend a single session during the day or during a lunch break without worrying that you need to take off the rest of the afternoon. Many patients schedule appointments after work or on the weekends to avoid any disruption to their daily schedules.
HOW TO CHOOSE A CHIROPRACTOR
Some practitioners – physical therapists or medical persons – may tell you they are chiropractors, then proceed to “crack your back” or manipulate the spine in ways that are not necessarily helpful, and in some cases may be dangerous for you. Chiropractors trained in North America and Australia have to go through an extensive 8-year education, licensure, and then a yearly re-certification to keep their license.
This is because Chiropractors are doctors – they can examine, diagnose, and treat abnormal conditions of the spine, but they are also well-versed in conditions that should NOT be treated. For example, a simple examination of a young girl in Bangalore revealed she had neck pain, but the chiropractor ordered X-rays be done that revealed a “hemi-vertebra,” or incomplete formation of a bone in the neck. Had he adjusted the neck without proper knowledge, the girl could have been injured worse or even paralyzed. In this unique case, she was referred out for surgery.
To ensure that the doctor you are seeing is a genuine Chiropractor, look for his or her certificates on the wall, and ask for these if not displayed. If they received a degree from a certified chiropractic college in America and passed a state board examination licensing them to practice in a particular state or territory, these should be on display. If not, ask for these. Don’t be fooled by a Physio or PT Osteopath who tries to pass themselves off as Chiropractors; this could be dangerous to your health and well-being.
Dr.. Spine hires only American-trained and licensed Chiropractors and is the only center in Bangalore that has offered genuine American Chiropractic treatment since 2008. To date, Dr Spine Chiropractors have treated 20000+ patients, and we proudly display their credentials.
CALL US at +91-75507 05070 for a consultation and make an appointment TODAY with a genuine Chiropractor! You will be glad you did.
