Back pain that won’t go away is the most common type of chronic pain in the United States. If you’re living with severe pain, surgery may seem like the quickest and easiest way to relieve your pain. However, given enough time, many types of back pain will go away without surgery. Research shows that chiropractic care and spinal decompression therapy, along with other forms of alternative treatments, such as massage, electrical stimulus, and exercise, can ease many types of back pain as well as keep it from returning.

Generally, depending upon your unique situation, surgery may only be recommended by your physician if you have something major going on in your back. Be sure to understand exactly what the surgery entails and the end goal. If back surgery really is necessary, don’t put it off as your problem may only worsen.

So when is back surgery necessary? Some reasons for surgery may include:

• A slipped disk that isn’t getting better on its own.
• Bone spurs in your spine (often caused by arthritis) that are putting pressure on your spinal cord.
• A degenerative spinal condition like stenosis (narrowing of the protective bony canal around the spinal cord) that’s causing side effects.
• Weakness or numbness in your arms and legs.
• Trouble walking or using your hands.
• Lost bladder or bowel control because of a problem with the nerves in your back.
• A spinal infection, or high fever with back pain (a sign of a spinal infection).
• A broken or dislocated bone in your back.
• A tumor on your spinal cord.

Be sure to discuss your condition with your surgeon, medical physician, and chiropractor to learn more about your options and back surgery alternatives. In many cases, the body can often heal on its own using more conservative or alternative treatments. Seek a second opinion if you are having doubts about the right course of action for you.

Whatever you decide, a healthy lifestyle can lower your chances of having back pain in the future. Maintaining healthy body weight, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking, help the spine and surrounding tissues to stay healthy.

The chiropractors at McKim Chiropractic offer the DRS Protocol™, a non-surgical treatment for back pain associated with spinal and disc problems. Call McKim Chiropractic today for more information about back surgery alternatives and to schedule a consultation. A thorough examination will be given to see if you are a candidate for spinal decompression therapy, a customized course of treatment uniquely for you. Our licensed and certified staff is happy to help the residents of Nampa, ID, live life pain-free!