Treatment Solves Back Problems As Effectively As Surgery But Much Faster & Safer

Treatment Solves Back Problems As Effectively As Surgery But Much Faster & Safer

As you probably know,  my office offers the best results is Severe back pain due to a herniated disc. In fact, our success rate right now is at 92.3%. So many of these people who are in severe pain say they have heard about how much surgery can help people with herniated discs. But surgery, no matter what kind of surgery it is, has some inherent dangers. So, is it worth the risks? A new review of surgery verses conservative measures, such as rest and physical therapy, says no. Unless you need immediate results, the risks aren’t worth it.

***Just to be clear, the “conservative approach” in this study has nothing to do with chiropractic much less the special work we do here. They are talking about bed rest and maybe some anti-inflammatory; but the results of this study are still very pertinent.

The authors of the new study start off by stating, “Evidence comparing the effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is controversial.” So, they designed a study to compare the short-term and long-term effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment. In particular, they were looking at the severity of sciatica (pain that goes from the lower back down the leg) and quality of life.

To do the study, they enlisted the help of 370 men and women with documented herniated lumbar (low back) discs. They analyzed the level of their pain, their physical function, nerve symptoms (numbness and weakness), and overall quality of life. Some of the patients went on to have the discs surgically removed. The others preferred conservative measures, such as rest and physical therapy. The patients were evaluated at six weeks, three months, one year, and two years.

Here’s what they found.

There were no differences in any of the other measurements at any time, including reduction in numbness and weakness and quality of life between the surgery and conservative care patients. And when it came down to the two-year mark, there was still no difference in any of the measurements. The authors concluded their report with this, “Compared with conservative therapy, surgical treatment did not show a benefit over conservative treatment in midterm and long-term follow-up.”

I don’t usually get the easy cases. Most of my back pain patients have either already had a failed surgery or have been advised to have surgery. Study after study proves that the long term effects of surgery aren’t very good. I know when you are in pain my experience tells me (in most situations) surgery is not that answer. Most experts will tell you to try every other alternative first, because once you have surgery, you can’t undo what happened in the surgery. Your body is changed for life.

No one should expose themselves to the many risks of surgery before they have tried every other conservative treatment they qualify for.

Yours for better health,

Dr. Jack Belitz, DC

PS if you or a loved one or friend is considering surgery, first find out if you even qualify for the treatments we offer here. If you do, we can explain in detail what needs to be done, how long it will take and the cost. If you call the office this month at 402-333-4848 and mention this newsletter, I will do the consultation and exam at no charge. You have nothing to loose, so call 402-333-4848 now.