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Back Pain: A Three-Part Series

Surgical & Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments

By Fred Cicetti

December 7, 2007

Back Pain • Causes • Prevention • Treatment --- More ... • Study: Acupuncture Beats Conventional Treatment for Back Pain • Low-Level Heat Wrap Reduces Low Back Pain

Treatment for back pain generally depends on whether it is acute or chronic.

Acute back pain usually gets better on its own. Treatment for chronic back pain is either non-surgical or surgical. In most cases, back pain does not require surgery.

Non-Surgical

The following are common non-surgical treatments for chronic back pain. They have varying degrees of support from the medical community. You should seek your own doctor’s advice about any of them.

• Hot or cold packs can be soothing.

• Exercise can help ease chronic pain and perhaps reduce its risk of returning.

• Medications are used to treat chronic back pain. These include over-the-counter pain-relievers such Tylenol; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen that relieve both pain and inflammation; prescription narcotics such as oxycodone; topical analgesics such as Ben Gay; muscle relaxants and certain antidepressants.

• Traction, which employs pulleys and weights to stretch the back, pulls the vertebrae apart to allow a bulging disc to slip back into place.

• Injections into nerves, spinal joints or specific areas of pain.

• Spinal manipulation refers to procedures in which professionals use their hands to treat the spine or surrounding tissues.

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) involves wearing a small box over the painful area that directs mild electrical impulses to nerves there.

• Acupuncture, which involves the insertion of thin needles at precise locations, is used to relieve pain.

• In acupressure, no needles are used. Instead, a therapist applies pressure to points with hands, elbows, or even feet.

• Rolfing is a type of massage involving strong pressure on deep tissues in the back to relieve tightness.

Surgical

Common Surgeries

Following are some commonly performed back surgeries:

• Laminectomy/discectomy in which part of the lamina, a portion of the bone on the back of the vertebrae, is removed. The herniated disc is then removed.

• Microdiscectomy removes a herniated disc through a small incision in the back. The doctor uses a magnifying microscope in this operation.

• Laser surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a needle in the disc that delivers a few bursts of laser energy to vaporize the tissue in the disc. This reduces its size and relieves pressure on the nerves.

• In a laminectomy, the doctor makes a large incision down the affected area of the spine and removes the lamina and any bone spurs, which are overgrowths of bone, that may have formed in the spinal canal because of osteoarthritis.

• In spinal fusion, two or more vertebrae are joined together using bone grafts, screws, and rods to stop slippage of an affected vertebrae.

• Disc replacement: When a disc is herniated, one alternative to remove the disc and replace it with a synthetic disc.

Talk to your doctor about which procedure -- if any -- is right for you. Before agreeing to surgery, it's wise to get a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon, neurologist or other specialist.

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All Rights Reserved © 2007 by Fred Cicetti

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