Over 80% of the population suffers from back pain at one time or another. It is becoming common practice for medical doctors to suggest back surgery and the patients are led to believe it is a quick fix. But boy are you in for a rude 
The study reviewed the records of 1450 patient records in the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation database. These patients were suffering with conditions from disc degeneration, disc herniation or radiculopathy, a nerve condition that causes numbness or tingling and weakness of the limbs. The patients were split equally into 2 groups: those that had fusion surgery vs those that had no surgery at all.
In the 2 year follow up with these patients, only 26% returned to work in the surgery group, yet 67% in the NON surgical group returned to work. What is more alarming is that the surgical group had a 41% increase in the use of dangerous pain killers, putting them at risk of further side effects and addictions.
“The study [1] provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs don’t work”, Dr. Trang Nguyen, lead author and a researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. [2]
Many patients report increase in excruciating pain post surgery and the increase prescription of medications rarely helps. One patient, Nancy Scatena, reported “I was suicidal” due to the excruciating pain. She went for another opinion from another surgery that was described as a “miracle worker”. The doctor assured her he would fix everything and after a brief period of relief, the pain came back with vengeance.
Many pain management doctors and some surgeons state surgery is an empty promise, yet due to the suggestion of the medical doctors around 600,000 people opt for surgery which has such a low rate of success. Many times the surgeries back fire, resulting in more pain and prescribed medications.
These surgeries aren’t simple procedures either. There are many risks that come along with them, including paralysis and even death. There is a huge concern because in just the last 15 years, there was an 8 time increase in these complicated surgeries. In 2007 alone, there were a 27 million reported back problems with over $30 billion spent on relieving the pain.. the biggest portion of which was spent on these dangerous spine surgeries that have a low success rate.
Two other studies further confirm findings:
1) Surgery should not be recommended until a patient has 2 years of all other conservative approaches have failed.
2) Adjustments (chiropractic treatments) with or without exercise therapy have a higher success rate than medical care alone over 3 and 12 month periods. To top if off, the more successful chiropractic approach shows better value over not only the medical care but also better than manipulation along with exericse.
I’m a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ and at my office, Hometown Family Wellness Center, I have seen patients for over 13 years with many sources of back pain. I take a conservative approach with your condition, and upon a full evaluation, I show you what is the cause of the problem. If you are one of the rare instances that you won’t benefit from chiropractic, I refer you to a local specialist who can further help you with your lower back pain. With over 80% success rate, chiropractic is the best option. Before any thought of looking into back surgery, I always suggest you look into any alternative options first. I have seen many patients over the years who have suffered through the surgery with little to no results. Some have had spinal fusions where they are so restricted in their daily activities now and can’t enjoy life, others had temporary relief then the pain gradually returned to beyond levels prior to the surgery, and one of my mother’s friends was even paralyzed from her waist down to her feet. I have seen many scenarios and most of these patients were told there was no other option. Just remember, this is your body and there are always better and more safe alternatives before trying surgery. Yes, you might have heard or nobody who had a successful spinal surgery, but those are the rare cases. Is it worth the risk?
If you or somebody you know suffers with low back pain and have considered surgery, please share this blog and research as much as you can before taking the leap to surgery. If you are in Freehold or the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville or other areas of Monmouth County, NJ, give our office a call at 732-780-0044 and go to our website: www.chiropractorfreehold.com
REFERENCES:
1. Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers’ Compensation Subjects: An Historical Cohort Study
SPINE (Phila Pa 1976) 2011 (Feb 15); 36 (4): 320–331
2. Study Says Back Surgery Often Makes Things Worse
The Daily Hit ~ Oct 14, 2010
3. Back Surgery May Backfire On Patients In Pain
MSNBC.com ~ Oct 14, 2010
4. Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?
Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ April 10th, 2010
5. Findings from the: “United Kingdom Back Pain Exercise and Manipulation (UK BEAM) Randomised Trial”
British Medical Journal 2004 (Dec 11); 329 (7479)
SPINE (Phila Pa 1976) 2011 (Feb 15); 36 (4): 320–331
The Daily Hit ~ Oct 14, 2010
MSNBC.com ~ Oct 14, 2010
Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ April 10th, 2010
British Medical Journal 2004 (Dec 11); 329 (7479)