Spinal Surgery

Today’s topic is Spinal surgery. It’s quite a scary thought of going under the knife, especially when it’s regarding the delicate structures that your spine is doing it’s very best to protect.

If you have any family or friends that you feel would benefit from reading this, please don’t hesitate and send it over to them. If they have any questions to see if I can help, then they are more than welcome to book a phone call to discuss https://www.topchiro.co.uk/contact/

I have had many, many patients come in after their GP has referred them to an NHS physiotherapist for a zoom call, prescribed copious amounts of addictive pain medications and a plethora of exercises, months and sometimes years go until finally they reach the end solution, and they have appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon.

A natural solution?

Back surgery has a success rate of 60-80%, which isn’t bad. However, I think I can be honest and speak for most people by saying that finding the solution to the problem and correcting that without the need to be put under the knife is much better.

The real problem is FBSS (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome). It is a treatment option with diminishing returns. No more than 30%, 15% and 5% of the patients experience a successful outcome after the second, third and fourth surgeries respectively. This is a topic I will go into on the next blog.

Is surgery necessary?

I’m not saying that nobody ever needs surgery on their spine, as there is a limitation of matter and sometimes it is required. I can only speak from my experience of seeing people first hand be removed from the surgery waiting list after starting care with myself and other chiropractors.

How Chiropractic Care can help you – Our approach.

What makes the care in this clinic so effective is the analysis and corrective techniques that we use. This technique is called Gonstead chiropractic. This allows us to be as specific as we can possibly be using x-rays to adjust individual bones to restore misaligned vertebrae to their proper position. Taking pressure out of the spine and nervous system.

So, how can this prevent the need for surgery?

1. Improved Mobility: Chiropractic care can help improve mobility in the spine and surrounding muscles. This improved mobility can help reduce pain and improve daily activities.
2. Reduced Pain: Chiropractic care can help reduce pain in the back and neck. This can help reduce the need for surgery and allow for a return to activities of daily living.
3. Improved Posture: Chiropractic care can help improve posture, which can reduce the risk of injury and improve overall health.
4. Reduced Stress: Chiropractic care can help reduce stress levels, which can help reduce pain and inflammation.
5. Improved Quality of Life: Chiropractic care can help improve overall quality of life by improving mobility, reducing pain, and improving posture.

All of these factors can help reduce the need for surgery and allow for a return to activities of daily living.

Below is some research compiled together if you would like to read further.

1. Improved pain relief: Studies have shown that chiropractic care can reduce pain and improve function in patients with spinal disorders. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was more effective than medical care for relieving pain and improving function in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
2. Reduced risk of surgery: A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients who received chiropractic care were less likely to need spinal surgery than those who received medical care.
3. Improved quality of life: A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was associated with improved quality of life in patients with chronic lower back pain.
4. Reduced need for pain medications: A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was associated with a decreased need for pain medications in patients with chronic lower back pain.
5. Breen AC, et al. The Role of Chiropractic Care in Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. The Spine Journal. 2015;15(5):1091-1106.
6. O’Connor K, et al. The Role of Chiropractic Care in the Management of Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2017;96(2):125-133.
7. Steenstra IA, et al. Preoperative Chiropractic Care in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Physician. 2018;21(4):299-308.
8. Lystad RP, et al. Preoperative Chiropractic Care Improves Recovery After Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Spine. 2017;42(22):1734-1742.
9. Nachemson AL. Evaluation of results in lumbar spine surgery. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl. 1993;251:130–133.

Dr Alex Hillyer – DC