According to research published by the Health Institute Policy of Georgetown University, back pain is a common issue that makes patients go to the doctor. The study estimates that more than 60 million Americans report a recent back pain issue yearly, while about 8% of adults experience long-lasting back pain. Chronic back pain may interfere with your ability to perform daily activities such as cooking and going to work. In this case, your health provider may recommend Roswell spine surgery. There are different types of surgical procedures that your orthopedic surgeon may choose for you depending on various factors, including the location of your back pain.
Common spinal surgical procedures include lumbar decompression surgery, herniated disc surgery, spinal fusion surgery, and a lumbar discectomy.
Your orthopedic surgeon will perform lumbar decompression surgery to correct spinal canal narrowing, also known as spinal stenosis. The surgical treatment involves removing part or all of the bony pieces sticking out from the back of the spine and causing excruciating pain. Thus, the spinal canal becomes wider, releasing its pressure.
Remember that your orthopedic surgeon may advise you to undergo spine surgery once non-surgical treatments fail to provide the required relief against your debilitating back problem. Like all surgical procedures, spine surgery puts you at risk of various complications, including failed back surgery syndrome, bleeding, blood clots, and infections.
Conservative and minimally invasive treatments are generally safe and effective in addressing back pains. Consequently, below are some non-surgical ways your doctor can relieve your back pain.
1. Lifestyle modifications
Your health provider may require that you abandon unhealthy lifestyle choices that may be triggering or worsening your back pain. For instance, you will need to note and avoid activities that make your pain worse.
An activity that can aggravate your back pain is lawn mowing.
Moreover, adopting healthy lifestyle choices may also mean assuming proper posture, wearing appropriate footwear, eating healthily, and staying physically active.
Achieving or maintaining a normal, healthy weight is possible through regular exercise. Your excess weight often affects your back, pelvis, and knees. Medical experts suggest that when you are overweight or obese, the pelvis pulls forward, leading to the straining of your lower back.
When you wear incorrect footwear, such as high-heeled shoes, it will cause misalignment of your hips, leg, and back. As a result, you may have back pain.
2. Physical therapy
Your physical therapist may advise that you perform certain exercises and stretches that may help relieve pressure and pain from the affected part of your back.
Perform the glute bridge and bird-dog exercises and kneeling back stretch.
3. Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation techniques can help you feel relaxed and take your focus away from your back pain.
You can feel less stress and pain and think clearer by practicing mindfulness meditation exercises like yoga and tai chi.
4. Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine options that may help relieve your back pain are acupuncture, biofeedback therapy, massage, and electrical nerve stimulation.
For example, acupuncture is a treatment involving triggering the release of endogenous opioids and serotonin by inserting thin needles through the skin at strategic points. The release of natural chemicals helps the body eradicate or minimize back pain.
Contact Apex Spine and Neurosurgery today to schedule an appointment with a spine surgery specialist.
