Discover the Best Alternatives to Back Surgery

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spinal-column-surgeryThere are several alternatives to back surgery that everyone considering the procedure should be aware of. Lower back pain can be excruciating and may also be accompanied with reduced joint mobility, which may force someone out of work.

While surgery can be very effective in treating back pain, the procedure is often costly and the patient may ultimately need several surgical procedures. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the procedure will be 100 percent successful. Back surgery is obviously an invasive procedure that needs proper preparation and aftercare. This means that the patient needs several days to prepare and recuperate from the treatment.

Alternatives to Back Surgery

Over the years, several treatment options for back pain have been proposed, and they are all noninvasive. They include:

  • Stretching and Exercise: Stretching helps to relieve pressure from the vertebrae. This may lead to improved mobility. On the other hand, exercises help to build and strengthen abdominal as well as back muscles so that they can help to support the weight of the upper body. It is important to note that back pain occurs when the lower section of the vertebral column is overwhelmed by the force exerted by the upper body. Fortunately, building muscle mass in the back and abdomen can ease the pressure.
  • Heat/Cold Therapy: Placing a pack of ice or a damp hot towel on the affected area for a couple of minutes can alleviate the pain. This type of therapy helps to stimulate blood-flow in the body, reduces inflammation and acts as a local anesthetic by preventing pain messages from being sent to the brain.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs are usually prescribed to patients who suffer from chronic back pain. They help to reduce pain and inflammation. They are only a short-term remedy.
  • Inversion Therapy: This a spinal decompression method used to relieve pressure from the back. During therapy, the patient rests upside down on an inversion table. Gravity pulls the weight of the upper body downwards thereby stretching all the joints in the body, especially in the back. Discs that may have moved out of position are realigned. Joints, tissues and muscles that may have been overly compressed are also decompressed.

When done over time, inversion therapy can be one of the best alternatives to surgery. Exercising and stretching can work hand in hand with inversion therapy to bring about the desired results.

It is important to note that inversion therapy is not for everyone. For instance, expectant mothers and people with glaucoma, high blood pressure or heard disease should get medical advice before using the equipment.

Important Points to Note

In most cases, the alternatives mentioned here do not offer an immediate relief to back pain. They take time to work. These back pain remedies like inversion therapy, heat treatment and NSAIDs should be used according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment or a medical practitioner. This will help to ensure that the desired results are obtained safety.

Other Nonsurgical Options for Back Pain Treatment

  • Restorative sleep: Resting is absolutely necessary if you want to effectively deal with the pain in your back. Ideally, you should take a nap whenever you get a chance. Resting on a regular basis is one of the best methods for dealing with back pain. Be sure to sleep on a mattress that offers lumbar support.
  • Proper nutrition: Eating right is important for your overall well being. To prevent the back problem from worsening, you may need to reduce your caffeine intake. Increasing your fresh fruit and vegetable intake can also be helpful.

When using an inversion table, eating right, exercising, getting restorative sleep and heat treatments may lead to a speedy recovery.

To learn more about inversion therapy, check out our Teeter and Ironman inversion table overviews.

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