If you suffer from back pain, you are definitely not alone. An estimated 80% of all Americans will endure a back pain episode at some point in their lives and approximately 8% suffer from chronic, unresolved spine pain.
Spine surgery can be a very effective treatment for many spinal conditions, in part because surgical techniques today are more advanced than ever. Minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery are now the standard of care for surgical spine patients at Doctors United. However, most back pain patients don’t require surgery. Non-operative spine physicians provide numerous conservative treatments that can help spine patients avoid or delay surgery.
With proper imaging and other diagnostic tools, the Doctors United non-operative spine physician team works to identify a patient’s specific spinal condition/s and creates an individualized care plan.
We also point out that patients have varying, unique goals for treatment. Some want to get back to high-level, athletic activities and some are seeking to just work a full day pain-free. However, the primary goals for most patients typically include:
Conservative treatment for back pain varies greatly depending on the cause and severity of a patient’s pain. Most non-operative treatment plans include a combination of medication and pain modalities (and often plus physical therapy), including the following:
In some patients’ cases, these ‘phase one’ treatments aren’t enough to alleviate pain.
Interventional procedures include:
If you suffer from back pain, there are so many conservative treatment options available to you. Prior to starting any type of treatment, it is important to see an appropriately trained spine physician to develop a treatment program for your specific condition and medical history.
To schedule an appointment to discuss your back pain, contact us today.
