If you are considering surgery for back pain, it is my opinion you should consider chiropractic care first, which is both less risky and less costly before going under the knife.
Studies have shown that surgery and conservative care were equally helpful for lumbar spinal stenosis, a common condition that makes walking painful. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, commonly from a bulging or herniated disc, at the point where the nerves exit the spine. Signs include feeling better when sitting down or leaning over something like countertop or shopping cart to open up the spinal canal.
https://www.bmj.com/content/336/7657/1355.full
It also raises questions about financial concerns. The cash price for back surgery can cost between $50,000 and $150,000 depending on the procedure. Even with insurance coverage these costs can be reduced but it depends on your plan and what your insurance deems as a covered medical procedure and what is considered an elective. Then you have the costs associated with physical therapy to recover from the surgery and recondition your body to moving again. The costs alone have been enough to discourage people from considering surgery and instead living a life of pain and disability.
My primary message for Maple Grove residents and our neighbors is that they should exhaust nonsurgical options, like chiropractic care, before they consent to surgery.
Studies found that patients do feel better faster with surgery, although this difference between surgical and nonsurgical treatments diminished over time.
We helped a number of patients with a disc herniation and disc bulge avoid surgery and get them back to doing what they love to do. A chiropractic technique called flexion-distraction helps individuals suffering with back pain and sciatica from a disc bulge, herniation, and stenosis.
If you have back pain and are considering back surgery but would like a consultation to see if chiropractic care with Dr. Greg Beenken can help please give our office a call 763-432-3932 or request an appointment on our website.
Dr. Greg Beenken
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