If you are experiencing significant back pain, perhaps from a back-related sports injury or by some other accident, you don’t need to assume you need surgery to correct the problem. In reality, you have numerous non-surgical options for encouraging spine rehabilitation, and even for fixing severe back injuries. We’ve created the following guide, informed by advice from some of Atlanta’s top spine surgeons, to help you understand your options for alternatives to spine surgery.
In many cases, back injuries can heal themselves over time — so one of the primary strategies for avoiding surgery is to take steps to facilitate that healing while minimizing the pain as much as possible. Physical therapy is a useful method for relieving pain and inflammation while helping maintain mobility. For patients needing a lower-impact solution to exercise, aquatic therapy can also be very helpful. Other non-surgical treatment options may include:
Some of the most common back injuries are sports-related injuries. Athletes naturally want to avoid surgery whenever possible, but they also face some unique challenges because they need to stay in shape as much as possible while recovering. The important things to remember when undergoing treatment for sports-related back injuries are to exercise in a way that doesn’t aggravate your injuries, and always heed your doctor’s advice concerning when you can safely return to sports after your back injury. Most importantly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; click here for proactive tips for athletes to prevent back injuries.
In the words of Dr. Shane Mangrum, “exercise is medicine for back pain.” Regular exercise helps your body stay limber and mobile, and the right types of exercises can strengthen your back muscles while reducing inflammation. That said, it’s important to exercise the right way in order not to exacerbate back pain. Some resources that may help:
Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center is pleased to be staffed with some of the best spinal surgeons in the state of Georgia. Even so, our philosophy is always to exhaust non-surgical options for treatment before recommending surgery. The good news is many such options are available. If you’re suffering from a back injury or back pain and are looking for options for non-surgical spine rehabilitiation, call us today for an appointment at 404-256-2633.