A shocking 31 million Americans deal with back pain – specifically low back pain – at one time or another during their lifetime. In fact, low back pain is the leading cause of disability throughout the world. As anyone who has ever experienced back pain can attest to, it can range from mildly uncomfortable to absolutely debilitating. With 8 out of every 10 Americans experiencing back problems or pain at some point, there is no question it is a huge problem in our country. We see patients – both young and old – that complain of back pain at our Dallas pain management clinic on a regular basis, and one of the most frequent questions we hear is, “do I have to undergo surgery?” Unfortunately, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. There are many instances in which surgery is the only real viable option for back pain, but in other circumstances we can suggest alternative therapies that are extremely effective.
In fact, the majority of back problems can be treated non surgically. Options for treating back pain without surgery include:
● Anti-inflammatory medications
● Ice and/or heat
● Osteopathic manipulation
● Spinal injections
● Chiropractic treatment
● Acupuncture
● Yoga
● Physical therapy
The type of treatment required will depend on a host of factors, including the type of back pain you are experiencing and the integrity of your bone structure. In the event these more conservative treatment options do not provide relief, back surgery may be an option. It should be noted that surgery is typically viewed as a last resort. We strive to find ways to treat our patients back pain in ways other than surgery, and we are often quite successful in doing so. While many of these alternative treatments do not provide relief for every type of back pain, surgery is only needed in a small percentage of cases. That being said, surgery may be necessary to treat the following:
● Some instances of bulging or herniated discs
● Compression of the spinal nerves
● Vertebral fractures
● Conditions related to osteoporosis
These are just a few of the most common reasons we perform back surgery here at our Dallas pain management clinic. If we believe surgery is the best option for your particular case, we will discuss what you can expect before, during, and after in detail. We encourage you to ask any questions and want to make sure you feel comfortable before the date of your surgery arrives. Back pain can have a major impact on daily tasks, exercise, sleep, and your quality of life in general. Here at NeuroSpine, we will do everything we can to get you back on your feet and achieve optimal health and wellness. To learn more about some of the alternative options to back surgery or to schedule an appointment with one of our spine surgeons, please contact our Dallas back pain therapy clinic today.