Alternative Back Pain Treatment

Published on: April 7, 2014

Not everyone with back issues wants to undergo surgery. Not everyone with back pain needs to undergo surgery either. A comprehensive approach to spine care is generally the most widely used treatment for chronic and acute back pain. By working together, physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncture therapists, and physical therapists are often able to provide alternative back pain treatment that is often very successful. Back surgery is typically a last resort. Because of the extensive care and cost of back surgery, doctors are not quick to say that a patient with back pain needs to have it done.

Physical therapy is a great way to curb chronic back pain. Physical therapists use different machines, exercises, and hands-on soft tissue mobilization to help “work out” back pain. Effective physical therapy also involves educating the patient for at home exercises and stretches that will continue the progression of healing.

Chiropractic care involves manipulation of the spinal joints to help relieve pain. As with physical therapists, chiropractors also educate their patients with exercises that should be done at home to strengthen the back.

Acupuncture has been done for centuries by inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to balance energy in the body and relieve pain and stress on the back.

Therapeutic massages can help to alleviate back pain, especially pain that is associated with the tightening of muscles and tendons. Massages help work out tightness and stiffness of certain muscles that can cause other muscles and joints to contract and cause redirected pain.

By considering back surgery as a last resort, doctors are able to help patients in more natural methods. Spine centers that utilize alternative treatment options and that work together with other ancillary services are often the best way to treat both acute and chronic back pain.

Posted on behalf of Dr. James Chappuis MD FACS, SpineCenterAtlanta

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