We see a number of patients each year who have made the decision and opted for back surgery as all other treatments to help them were unable to work. This is often a last case scenario and while back surgery often entails fusion and the overall problem is fixed, the back is no longer in its natural state. This can lead to problems elsewhere in the back and so chiropractic care can be used to help and manage this.
Between the years 1993 and 2013, the number of lumbar fusion surgeries performed for low back pain increased from about 60,000 per year to 500,000. Did you know that about 61% of people who receive lumbar fusion surgery continue to experience back pain after the surgery? Instead, many patients seek nonsurgical care for their back pain. This intern, leads patients to doctors of chiropractic. Today we will be going over all that a chiropractor can do for post surgical back patients.
62 chiropractors in the veterans administration took part in a survey. The survey concluded that about 90% treated at least one post surgical patient in the previous month, and 2/3 treated between one and five patients in the past month. The patients are usually referred by their surgeon, or a physical therapist/physician.
Do you ever wonder what the first appointment post surgery with a chiropractor will look like? First, a patient history will be taken. Then, the chiropractor may take x-rays. These are important for the chiropractor to assess the levels above and below the fused segments, which can sometimes become hyper mobile and lead to back pain. The x-rays taken may include weight-bearing, neutral AP, and lateral views. Sometimes, a CT scan or MRI may be recommended to further assess back pain. Then, a physical examination will take place to further assess.
Chiropractors offer many types of treatments for all types of people and all types of pain. Some of these include high velocity, low amplitude manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue techniques. Chiropractors even offer at home exercises as well as nutritional instruction.
Our goal at Warwick Chiropractic is to help you feel and be your best. Our gentle adjustments are designed to ease pain and to help you manage on a day to day basis. We do not offer long term treatment plans, rather we will see you whenever you feel it’s necessary. Having your back regularly adjusted is a great way to manage your condition and enable you to be as active as possible.
We are walk in friendly and would love to help you. We’ve helped thousands of patients over the years already and we are the number 1 reviewed chiropractor in Lacey, Olympia. Walk in and see us today.
