If you’ve been suffering from pain in your arms or legs because of an injury to your spine, there are chances that your doctor will tell you that surgery is the only way to free a trapped nerve that is causing the pain.
Seeing an experienced chiropractor before you decide to proceed with surgical intervention for your pain can save you from the risks involved in back surgery. A study in medical journal, Spine, found that people who saw a chiropractor after an injury were less likely to end up needing surgery.
The study says that almost half the people that see a surgeon after an injury end up going through with the surgery, while less than 2 percent of people who see a chiropractor still have to resort to surgery. So, can seeing a chiropractor reduce the chances of surgery? We’ll discuss the benefits of chiropractors below.
What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor for Back Pain?
You should always schedule an appointment with a chiropractor before you finalize any decisions for surgery. Many times, the same problem that can be solved with a surgical intervention could have been addressed with proper chiropractic care.
- It isn’t invasive, painful, or risky. Unlike a back surgery that has the risk of paralysis or other complications, chiropractic treatment doesn’t involve removing any part of your bones or muscles. It focuses instead on how to help you manage the pain without having to remove the source of the pain physically.
- With the proper medication and chiropractic care, you can delay or remove any chances of you needing to go under the knife. Getting surgery isn’t only painful and takes longer to recover from; it also costs a large amount of money.
- If you’re experiencing pain or numbing sensations in other parts of your body, a chiropractor can examine you and tell you the cause and treatment for it, without you having to see a surgeon at all. A surgery only works on one issue, while a chiropractor can target multiple issues that are causing you pain.
- Unlike surgery, after which you need to be on multiple painkillers for some time, if you receive chiropractic care, you are less likely to rely on pain medications.
- So Should You Prefer a Chiropractor Over Surgery?
An experienced chiropractor initially examines you and figures out a routine that you can follow that will reduce your pain and increase your mobility. They’ll also make some initial adjustments of your spine to see how severe the issue is, and how many visits you’ll need to get back to normal.
You won’t be able to make the final decision of whether you need surgery, or if you can rely on a chiropractor, until you’ve had proper discussions with both a surgeon and a chiropractor. They’re the ones who can fully assess your situation to determine what option is better for you. Neither of these professionals will try to force you to pursue a specific route if they know it is not in your best interest.
When you go for your visits, make sure you tell them about your entire medical history, as well as your lifestyle. Without the full information about what your body has gone through and what it can tolerate, they will not be able to make an informed decision.
Final Words
Suffering from the pain that does not go away on its own is disturbing and puts a stop to your healthy lifestyle. Taking time to recover from surgery adds on to the time you spend in bed and not going about your day. With chiropractic care, you can alleviate your pain without the need for an invasive procedure.
