Back Surgery: Is It Really The Best Option?

If you've been suffering from chronic back pain, you're probably willing to do anything to get relief—even surgery. 

It can be hard to get through the days when your back pain is constantly nagging. It becomes difficult to work, do your chores, or participate in hobbies and leisure activities you once enjoyed. Anytime you do try to do anything, back pain can make it a miserable experience. Nights can be even worse. Back pain can make it hard to sleep, leaving you even more frustrated in the daytime.

Many chronic back pain sufferers grow desperate for relief. Pain medication, be it over-the-counter or prescription, only masks the pain for a little while. In exchange, they come with a plethora of side effects and health risks. Heating pads, ice packs, braces, analgesic creams, etc. can only do so much and are short-lived solutions. There comes a point at which you begin contemplating that last resort—back surgery. 

Is back surgery really your last resort, though? And is it really your best option? Before you take such drastic action, you might want to give chiropractic care a try. 

Why Back Surgery May Not Be The Best Option

You should always follow the advice of your primary healthcare provider, but doctors are generally reluctant to offer back surgery as an option. While it does help some people, for many patients it makes matters worse. 

Some studies have found more than half of all people who undergo back surgery are unable to return to work. People who do not choose back surgery are more likely to continue working than people who have surgery. Making matters worse, nearly half the people who have back surgery increase their use of prescription painkillers. 

Back surgery comes with some significant risks such as infection, permanent nerve damage, paralysis, loss of control over the bladder and/or bowels, sexual dysfunction, and heart attack.

Consider Chiropractic Treatment First

Before you make any plans for back surgery, why not try a natural, non-invasive, drug-free intervention to see if it helps your back pain? Chiropractic care does not pose a risk like back surgery, and as a bonus, it is often far cheaper than surgery and recovery. 

More importantly, chiropractic care works for many back pain sufferers. Many patients find they experience some relief after the first visit. As time goes on, the improvements usually continue. As alignment to the spine is restored, the body's healing processes begin to repair damage and restore function. In time, many chiropractic patients who thought they were "incurable" find they have less pain, better mobility, better flexibility, and more energy. 

Let Us Help With Natural Back Pain Treatment

Dr. Gordon Elder is an upper cervical specialist in Lubbock, Texas. At the Blair Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Elder is a trained expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The Blair technique is a gentle but highly effective chiropractic specialty that utilizes a series of advanced diagnostic tools to target and correct spinal misalignments. 

Dr. Elder's three-step treatment plan for chronic back pain sufferers goes as follows:

Step 1 — Dr. Elder conducts a thorough consultation and assesses your health with state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging tools. This enables him to have a more exact understanding of your unique anatomy and the root cause of your problem. 

Step 2 — Dr. Elder uses special corrective manipulations to make adjustments to your spine. Because of the more thorough screening, adjustments are gentler and made with more precision than with traditional chiropractic techniques. This makes for a more comfortable visit and longer-lasting adjustments. 

Step 3 — Once your body begins healing, Dr. Elder recommends continued regular check-ups to help maintain the health of your spine and to avoid problems from returning. 

Don't let back pain continue to rob you of your ability to be productive and enjoy life. Before you consider something as risky as surgery, contact Dr. Elder to see how he can help. Dr. Elder's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Chronic Back Pain: A Gentle and Effective Treatment Method

What is Chronic Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common complaints of people in the United States, with nearly a third of all adults suffering from some kind of chronic back pain. Chronic back pain is a general term that may refer to a wide range of conditions, such as muscle strain, soft tissue injuries, sciatica, arthritis, or slipped discs. 

No matter what the cause of chronic back pain is, sufferers have one thing in common: it can make life really difficult. Back pain robs people of activities and hobbies they enjoy. It can interfere with your getting a good night's sleep. In extreme cases, chronic back pain can be downright debilitating, costing you your job or making you dependent upon loved ones for care. 

Managing Chronic Back Pain

Stay Mobile—the more you give in to chronic back pain, the more difficult it is to live with it. You shouldn't push yourself too hard or strain yourself, but you should try to keep moving. Walking, gentle exercises, and keeping up with light activity is the best way to help keep your back muscles strong and prevent pain from worsening. The activity also helps you keep your mind off your pain and will have a positive impact on your mood.

Stretch—a good stretch helps relieves tension, keeps your muscles loose, and improves your range of motion. Daily stretching can be a great exercise to help cope with and alleviate back pain. Make sure you warm up before stretching so you don't cause further injuries. 

Get a better mattress—a good mattress may be a luxury you need. A poor mattress can wreak havoc on chronic back pain. According to research, a medium-firm mattress provides and comfort that many back pain sufferers need, however, each person is different so it is important to test mattresses and find what works best for you. 

Eat an anti-inflammatory diet—you might be surprised at how the right foods can alleviate many of your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Inflammatory foods, which generally contain high amounts of sugar, trans-fats, and refined grains, can exacerbate many of your aches and pains. 

Consult an upper-cervical specialist—a natural, drug-free, non-invasive means of managing back pain for many people is through chiropractic care. Upper cervical chiropractors in particular can pinpoint and treat problems that cause a domino-like effect of aches and pains throughout the musculoskeletal system. Often, your lower or middle back problems are rooted in the upper cervical spine. 

How We Treat Chronic Back Pain

The upper cervical spine consists of the uppermost seven vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull and run down through the neck. These vertebrae in particular are prone to injury from even minor impacts and postural problems, and the effects of a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can cascade down the back, putting more strain on other joints, ligaments, and muscles. 

Dr. Gordon Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern upper cervical technique that combines state-of-the-art technology with low-pressure manual manipulations. 

Dr. Elder uses advanced 3D imaging tools to diagnose and calculate misalignments of the spine. He is then able to apply precise, gentle, swift manipulations to make corrections. Once the upper cervical spine is in correct alignment, this reduces inflammation and takes stress off other joints and tissue down the back. The body's natural healing processes are then able to kick in and do the rest of the work. 

Dr. Elder rounds out his care with follow-up exams to ensure alignments hold. He then recommends periodic exams as a preventative measure to prevent further back problems.

Instead of suffering needlessly from back pain, try some of our tips to help bring relief. Or, call Dr. Elder for an appointment to see if upper cervical care can help you. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.