While treatment guidelines advise prioritizing conservative measures, including chiropractic care, before contemplating surgery, this sequence isn't always adhered to. In fact, the United States alone witnesses hundreds of thousands of surgeries annually for conditions related to low back issues. Estimates indicate that, depending on the criteria applied, a range of 4% to 50% of patients may continue to report persistent low back pain and related symptoms. Previously labeled as failed back surgery syndrome, this condition has been redefined as persistent spinal pain syndrome type-2 (PSPS-2). Can chiropractic care prove advantageous for patients dealing with PSPS-2?
In April 2023, researchers published a study that looked at a decade of data concerning 81,291 patients who had received chiropractic spinal manipulation and were treated at academic health centers in the United States. The data show that 10.8% of these patients had a history of at least one prior spine surgery. Further analysis revealed that these patients were more likely to be older with multiple medication prescriptions and a history of spinal injections.
A study published the previous year looked at the charts of 6,589 low back pain patients from twenty chiropractic clinics. Just over four-in-five (81%) of patients with a previous history of back surgery had undergone a laminectomy with discectomy, and fusion procedures accounted for the remainder. These patients generally received a multimodal treatment approach that included spinal manipulation (100%), drop technique (81%), passive modalities (65%), soft tissue manipulation (13%), flexion distraction (13%), and mechanical traction (13%). At the conclusion of treatment, all patients reported clinically important improvements in pain and disability, and 48% continued to report such improvements a year later. Upon further analysis, the researchers found that characteristics linked to the best long-term outcomes for PSPS-2 patients under chiropractic care include younger age, shorter history of back pain, and higher pain and/or disability levels at the onset of treatment.
The findings from this pair of studies suggest that a significant number of patients who undergo back surgery may continue to experience back pain, and many of these patients seek chiropractic care. The good news is that most (if not all) report clinically significant relief, and up to half may continue to report reduced pain and disability for a year or longer without additional care.
Naturally, in an ideal scenario, your chiropractic practitioner would advocate seeking treatment for low back pain prior to contemplating surgery. This preference is rooted not only in chiropractic being a recommended primary approach for addressing low back pain but also in the findings of a 2013 study. This study revealed that individuals who opted for chiropractic care initially were nearly 29 times less inclined to eventually undergo back surgery compared to those who first consulted a surgeon!
So, if you are experiencing back pain, lower back pain, or pain in the coccyx and type in pain management near me or chiropractor near me, you may find Coast Chiropractic Centers with Dr. Timothy Harcourt, me, comes up.
You may wonder, “Do I need an MRI scan of my back and who in my area can refer me?”
Also, if you feel leg pain it may indicate things are getting worse and may indicate a bulge on the disc or worse yet a herniated disc in your back. Some people will try stretching the lower back first to see if they get relief from their back pain. Pain very low in the lower back may be originating from the coccyx or tailbone. A pulled muscle in the back generally will get better with rest. Persistent or worsening pain intensity and/or frequency necessitates a visit to see a professional around you.
Check out what the experts say about chiropractic care for back pain here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32749874/
Call me, Dr. Tim Harcourt, at Coast Chiropractic Centers at (239) 278-3344 or stop by on your day off for a walk in visit and mention this article for an awesome discounted first visit to include history, exam, and adjustment or Class IV high-intensity laser treatment.
So if you find yourself experiencing lower back pain while running or doing physical activities or if you are suffering from back pain that is affecting your quality of life and allowing you to enjoy Fort Myers Beach. Come see us at Coast Chiropractic Centers located on 7270 College Parkway.
Schedule Your Appointment Here
Coast Chiropractic Centers Map
If you would like to avoid getting back pain in the first place or to take a proactive approach to your health and wellness nearby, our membership program called Club C may be just the thing for you with great cost savings, convenience, and even more importantly, a plan to get your health back and keep it.
Don't let back pain stop you from enjoying the beautiful SWFL! Dr. Tim Harcourt is here to give you the relief you need.
Learn how chiropractic care can improve your digestive health by…
Discover how chiropractic care supports year-round preventative health…
Discover how chiropractic care provides effective, non-invasive relief…
Discover how chiropractic care provides effective, drug-free relief…
Discover why chiropractic care is essential for maintaining health and…
Reducing or eliminating the pain-causing mechanisms such as pinched…
At Coast Chiropractic, one of the most beneficial therapies we offer…
"Graston Technique® is a unique, evidence-based form of…