Treatment Options – Non Surgical
For most people who have their first experience with low back pain, the main question that they often ask themselves is, "will I be able to get better without surgery?"
Fortunately, the numbers are on your side.
Over 95% of people who have back pain do not need surgery, and they should recover within a two month time frame.
Unfortunately, getting better isn't always easy, and it can be very difficult to make sense of all the choices that are out there in terms of who to turn to when your back hurts.
As with most things in life, the best place to start is with more education.
In the following sections, we cover the topics of exercise and medications in the treatment of low back pain.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic doctors practice natural,non-invasive health care and rely on the body’s ability to self-heal. Chiropractors treat mainly the spine for misalignments or subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that protect the spinal cord. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of potential contributing factors that can be physical, emotional, mental, or chemical. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use. Chiropractors correct subluxation with the use of their hands or ancillary devices.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold lasers operate in the near to far infra-red range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and is used to assist in patient rehabilitation. Cold Laser Therapy offers a non-toxic, non-invasive and fast acting treatment that reduces pain, inflammation and accelerates healing. Originally approved by FDA for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome Cold Laser Therapy is now used in the treatment of, myofascial pain, muscle trigger points, neck pain and back pain. Cold laser therapy is applied with a handle held device and the treated area receives 6 to 9 cycles of treatment of 30 second duration.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Muscle and ligaments stabilize our spine during activity and during rest. Either through injury or lack of activity muscle and ligaments can weaken and allow distortions in our spine which create pain. By following a well-designed exercise program the stability of our spine can be restored and our pain can be reduced or eliminated. One on one rehabilitation training last 20-30 minutes and ensures that the exercises are properly performed.
Spinal Traction or Decompression
Spinal Traction is constant or intermittent pulling force applied to the spine to gradually stretch the spine and decompress the spinal discs. Traction stretches muscles and ligaments and increases the space between the vertebrae. Traction can relieve pressure on compressed nerves, help muscles relax and reduce muscle spasms. Treatment is rendered with the use of stabilization belts and traction is applied by percentage of body weight. Length of treatment can last 15-30 minutes.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissue using the hands coupled with hypo allergenic lotions have many therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown patients with lower back pain, following spinal massage treatment, have improved trunk mobility, decrease in pain, less depression, less anxiety and decreased sleep disturbance. Massage treatments may last from 15 to 30 minutes.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is high frequency sound wave known to speed healing, reduces swelling, decreases pain and increases blood flow to the treated areas. This therapy is applied through the use of a hand held unit and transmits the waves through the skin with a water based coupling agent. The ultrasound treatment sessions last 7-15 minutes.
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is used for relaxation of muscle spasms, prevention of disuse atrophy, increase local blood circulation, muscle re-education and maintaining or increasing range of motion of the spine. Electrotherapy is applied to the affected areas with adhesive pads and can be accompanied with cold packs, hot packs or ultrasound therapy. Therapy treatment time can vary between 7-20 minutes.