The human back is a complex combination of bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. It is estimated that almost 80% of the US adult population will have at least one episode of severe, debilitating low back pain at some point in their lives. And a lower but significant percentage have chronic back pain on a daily basis. Low back pain is the number one reason for missed workdays and disability claims in the U.S. About 500,000 back surgeries are performed each year in the U.S. costing 11 billion dollars. Additionally, 1.62 million “instrumented spinal procedures” are performed annually.
The most frequent age group that receives these procedures are 40 years of age and above. About 50 to 60% of back surgeries are considered successful and only about half of those are deemed necessary. In fact, many surgeries result in future back surgeries in the same people. Unfortunately, these subsequent procedures have a lower success rate than even the primary surgeries.
The most common forms of back surgery include spinal fusion, laminectomy and discectomy. Over the past 10 years spinal fusion, the most invasive and expensive, has become the most common form of back surgery ranging between $50,000 to $100,000. Recovery for this procedure typically takes 3 to 6 months. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities such as light housework. It may also take months of evaluation and red tape, while you are in pain, to get back surgery approved by insurance.
When back surgery is deemed necessary and successful it can provide a world of improvement and relief. Over Dr. Ferez’s 26 years of practice, we have had a number of patients we have referred for surgical consultations. But back surgery should be considered only after more conservative approaches are attempted. The benefits of more conservative, non invasive procedures are that the person can be educated to manage their own pain and keep their backs healthy and strong naturally. In addition, the body is left intact to function as it’s normally designed to. At times, rest, light exercise, medication, muscle relaxers and therapies including physical therapy modalities can be very useful to alleviate low back pain. One form of relief and correction that is most effective, affordable and can start helping immediately is our Chiropractic care.
At Chiropractic Partners of Clayton we utilize electrical muscle stimulation, acupuncture, Chiropractic adjustments, massage, traction, ultrasound and other forms of therapy. We also educate our patients on stretches and exercises that they can do at home to help strengthen and stabilize and support the benefits of our Chiropractic care. When successful, our care can not only provide very quick relief but also act as a preventative measure against future injuries and pain. In most cases patients can continue their normal daily activities while getting better, thus reducing downtime, disability and lost workdays.
So if you have back pain you owe it to yourself to seek out care to provide relief now and avoid further problems, recurrent symptoms, degeneration, and the possibility of future surgery. If you have back pain call our office and we will be happy to schedule you for a 1st appointment to help evaluate and start treating and correcting your back pain immediately. In many cases we can get you scheduled and start providing relief the same day. If we can help we will, and if we can’t, we will refer you to someone who can.
With 26 years of experience serving Clayton and over 400 5 star reviews we’ve got the experience and expertise to help. We’ve got your back!
Schedule an appointment today or call us at 919-550-9355.