ALTERNATIVES TO BACK SURGERY

It's no fun to have pain anywhere in your body, but back pain can be especially debilitating. Because the spine is such an important part of your body, if you have pain in that area it can affect almost every movement you make. Simple things like tying your shoelaces or getting out of bed in the morning can cause acute pain, and become a challenge to perform.

Because back pain is so debilitating, people often search for a radical solution like surgery. However, it’s always better to look for less invasive solutions first, such as spinal decompression from a chiropractor and a skilled medical professional can help you to find those.

The first step is to get a detailed history. A doctor or therapist should ask exactly how long you’ve had the problem, where the area of pain is, what movements cause the most pain, etc., to get a clear idea of what’s going on.

The next step, if necessary, may be to get imaging done, but tests like MRIs do not always show the exact cause of the problem. Especially with older adults, an MRI can show a picture that doesn’t distinguish between new and old injuries or problems.

Once you have a clear idea of what’s going on with your back, your best local chiropractor can begin to treat it. Options include: non-prescription pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and the application of ice and heat in moderate amounts.

For additional help you can try physical therapy, Doylestown chiropractic treatment, and prescription medications to control inflammation, pain, and muscle soreness.

Sometimes a combination of these therapies can actually work better than surgery. It’s always worth investigating non-surgical alternatives!