Chiropractic Care vs. Surgery: A Guide To Choose the Right Treatment for Back Pain
A Brooklyn chiropractor for lower back pain relief may be just the solution you need. Contact Metro Healthcare Partners for a consultation!
According to the Health Policy Institute, roughly 65 million American adults experience back pain, a Top Ten in the most costly conditions countrywide. Some upper or lower back pain may resolve itself with pain relievers and rest. In other cases, however, you might need to see a back pain chiropractor for a few sessions.
Are you experiencing back pain from a work-related accident or an auto collision? it might be time to visit a reputable back pain doctor in Brooklyn, NY, like Metro Healthcare Partners. Read on for the team’s guide to the differences between chiropractic treatment and surgical procedures for back pain if you’d like to feel more prepared ahead of your consultation.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
The discipline of chiropractic care involves conservative, noninvasive ways to treat your musculoskeletal disorders and certain injuries. Chiropractors like to target the root of the problem, not just offer symptomatic relief that returns after a time.
Techniques like manual spinal adjustments together with other holistic treatments might relieve your back pain for good. This approach also helps with certain headaches, hip pain, shoulder issues, and other musculoskeletal struggles.
Types of Chiropractic Treatments
By adjusting or realigning your spine during a series of appointments, your chiropractic visits could help you experience short-term and long-term pain relief. To achieve this goal, your chiropractor may assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan.
Common chiropractic treatments for back pain include examples like:
- Soft tissue therapy: Therapy for soft tissues uses hands-on techniques. Back massages, trigger point therapy, and stretches aim to release muscle tension.
- Spinal adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments are the most common treatment approach to reduce pain and improve functional ability. They manually shift the spine into its proper alignment.
- Ultrasound therapy: By using high-frequency sound waves on your neck or back, your chiropractor aims to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Electrical stimulation: Sometimes, chiropractors will treat back muscle spasms using low-voltage electrical currents.
Common Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain
According to a 2021 study in the Pain Physician medical journal, between 30 and 60% of Americans with back pain seek chiropractic care. Over 80% of those patients receive some form of spinal manipulation for their back or neck pain. That shouldn’t feel surprising when this option is ideal for those who prefer a natural approach to pain relief from back pain, joint pain, headaches, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal discomforts.
Working with your back pain chiropractor also encourages overall well-being by treating the cause of a condition, not just its symptoms. Choosing a chiropractor for back pain means receiving comprehensive, drug-free treatment plans. That may include lifestyle advice, nutritional guidance, and target exercise programs too.
How Back Surgery Differs From Chiropractic Care
Surgery for back pain may resolve a spinal issue when conservative treatments become ineffective. Like chiropractic care, surgery targets the source of back pain, which may offer people long-term pain relief. Still, for many people, a back pain chiropractor is an alternative to back surgery–the invasive procedure with often lengthy recovery periods is a last resort.
In some cases, open and minimally invasive spinal surgeries can be highly beneficial and do things that simple spinal adjustments cannot. For instance, if your back pain stems from damaged vertebrae or spinal tumors, a surgeon can remove these issues to improve your health and functionality.
Which Back Conditions Suit Surgical Procedures Best?
Surgeries carry a higher risk for infection than chiropractic treatment. However, some of these surgical procedures may deliver immediate pain relief or address life-threatening conditions and trauma, so there’s a place and a time for them. Yet, back surgery doesn’t guarantee that you won’t continue experiencing pain.
An Asian Spine Journal study suggests that while more than 50% of initial spine surgeries are successful, every subsequent spinal surgery has less favorable outcomes. Surgery does remedy tumors, severe spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and vertebral fractures, which chiropractic treatment cannot directly address.
When To See a Chiropractor for Back Pain
If you’re experiencing pain due to the following conditions, a neck and back pain chiropractor’s services may benefit you:
- Joint pain and stiffness.
- Pregnancy-related discomfort.
- Headaches, including migraines.
- Sports-related injuries.
Schedule an Appointment With Metro Healthcare Partners’ Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain and More
Do you have back or neck pain due to a workplace injury or car accident? Knowing when to see a chiropractor for back pain relief goes hand in hand with seeking prompt medical attention. Metro Healthcare Partners in Brooklyn, NY, includes orthopedic surgeons, back pain chiropractors, and pain management specialists who care about your quality of life.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call Metro Healthcare Partners at (718) 550-2056!
Knowing when to worry about back pain to prevent future complications makes it simple to know when to contact our professionals! Why wait?
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care for Back Pain
Deciding between spinal surgery and chiropractic treatment is a big deal. Read these frequently asked questions for more information.
Who Isn’t the Best Candidate for Back-related Chiropractic Adjustments?
Anyone with bone tumors, severe osteoporosis, spinal infections, or an increased risk of stroke isn’t the best candidate for chiropractic treatment.
Can Back Surgery Be the Wrong Treatment for Back Pain?
Yes, back surgery might be the wrong treatment for your back pain if you have a high infection risk or a bleeding disorder. Severe osteoporosis can also bar surgery.
Can a Back Pain Chiropractor Help Somebody With Severe Back Pain?
Yes, a back pain chiropractor can certainly remedy severe back pain by targeting the source of the condition. However, chiropractors are not the best choice for someone with a slipped disc or advanced joint disease.
Is Surgery the Best Way To Treat Back Pain?
No, while surgery can treat back pain stemming from tumors or structural abnormalities, many people prefer less invasive treatments from a back pain chiropractor for other issues.