Why Back Surgery Might Not Be The Best Option For Back Pain

Oct 21, 2015

While this figure continues to grow, concerns from members of the medical community around necessity and effectiveness are becoming more mainstream.

If you need to see a College Park Chiropractor to treat ongoing back pain, make sure you thoroughly research and ask questions around what options are available, as well as what the lasting effects are for each proposed solution.

Most Common Back Surgery Procedures

According to the Mayo Clinic, patients that suffer from ongoing back pain are most likely to receive one of the following four types of surgery: discectomy, laminectomy, fusion, and implantation of artificial disks.

  • Discectomy surgery sees your doctor remove part of a herniated disc, as well as back portions of the vertebrae
  • Laminectomy surgery is dedicated to removing bones that overly with the spinal canal
  • Fusions connect two of more bones in the spine
  • Implantation of artificial disks is simply the act of replacing particular parts of the back with artificial sources.

Be Aware That Surgery Is Always Invasive and Failed Surgeries Are Not Uncommon

Making the decision to go through with back surgery is not to be taken lightly.

Any time a doctor has to perform invasive surgery creates a particular level of risk around permanent damage, further damage to the injury, or worse depending on the type of surgery that’s deemed to be necessary.

Since back pain is the number one reason why people visit a Chiropractor, spinal fusion procedures have increased by more than 70% in the last fourteen years.

According to traditional medical journals like NBC News, research shows that surgery often fails to serve as an effective solution for relieving ongoing back pain. Even more so, often, surgery is prescribed when unnecessary.

In a study conducted by Spine publication, researchers found that half of the 1,450 patients that went through with spinal fusion surgery to address disc degeneration and other forms of nerve disease, only 27% returned to work within two years. Of those that hadn’t opted for surgery, 67% were cleared to return to work.

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

Understanding that surgery may not always be the best solution is different than knowing what to ask or look for when speaking with your doctor.

When visiting your doctor in College Park, make sure you use the following advice and tips:

Ask Questions

  • What is the operation and what does it entail?
  • Why is this particular procedure recommended and necessary?
  • Are there less invasive options we can try first?
  • What are the pros and cons of each proposed option?
  • Are there possible long-term effects involved with this recommendation? What are they?

Make Sure You Get Multiple Opinions

Research shows that over 30% of Chiropractic patients who reached out for various ideas in elective surgeries discovered that the recommendations offered were not in sync.

Make sure you ask to see many Chiropractors provided by AICA before making a final solution on what’s best for you and your health.

Visit AICA’s Office In College Park or Atlanta

We are professional, certified, experienced experts in musculoskeletal conditions, whereas primary physicians are usually not.

Most patients that suffer from ongoing back pain visit their primary care provider, only to be told that surgery is an absolute must.

So before you go with your doctor’s recommendation, make sure you take the time to visit one of our Chiropractors to potentially save you time, money and further pain caused by failed surgery.

You can schedule a consultation today by calling (404) 889-8828.

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