Almost everyone will experience at least one episode of acute low back pain at some point in his or her life. While these episodes can be extremely painful and cause significant disruption in one’s life, most episodes of low back pain will get better with time (about 2 to 12 weeks) and non-surgical care.
Many patients with low back pain wonder if they will need back surgery and if and when they should consult a spine surgeon (an orthopedic spine surgeon or neurosurgeon who specializes in spine surgery).
For most instances of low back pain, it’s advisable to start off with a physical exam by the family doctor (primary care physician) or from a chiropractor before seeing a spine surgeon.
As reported in The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan, a health maintenance organization affiliated with the university’s School of Medicine, has adopted landmark guidelines for the management of chronic low back pain.
From Jan. 1, 2012, candidates for spine surgery had to receive “prior authorization to determine medical necessity,” which includes verification that the patient has “tried and failed a 3-month course of conservative management that included physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, and medication.”
A qualified chiropractor can quickly provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, or can point you in the direction of a medical professional who can help you.
During your initial consultation, the professional chiropractor will gather your health history. After an initial exam he or she will be able to tell you what chiropractic services can do for you.
The sanest and safest approach is to use conservative approaches like chiropractic care first. You can always resort to drugs or surgical approaches as a last-ditch resort, but the statistics suggest that most low back and neck pain can be successfully managed with lower costs and higher patient satisfaction by chiropractors.
It all begins with the condition of the brain, nerve system, and spine. Everyone needs to have their spine checked by a qualified chiropractor, EVERYONE! The infant that was just born, even the person that is on their deathbed, and all the men and women in between.
