As many as half of all spinal surgeries may be unnecessary, according to Vermont-based Stephen O'Dwyer, a certified neuromuscular therapist. He says that unsuccessful back surgeries have become so common they have their own acronym: FBSS, for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Medical facilities like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic agree to the extent of listing other methodologies that should be tried first. O'Dwyer does state that certain maladies like the need to decompress a pinched nerve root or to stabilize a painful spinal joint probably will require surgery. Other back pain difficulties may be helped by several alternative therapies.
Anti-Inflammation Healing
Anti-inflammatory medication can shrink tissue around inflamed muscles and joints to help relieve back pain. The use of ice to reduce inflammation and heat to speed circulation and healing in the proper placement and timing can also help avoid unnecessary back surgery.
Massotherapy
Regular massage and milder, gentle massage have both been recommended for back pain. Often relaxing the muscles and joints around the spine relieves nerve pain without surgery.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can manipulate joints and use stretching maneuvers to relieve back pain. Specific therapeutic maneuvers can be taught to the sufferer so the therapy can be carried on at home as well.
Exercise
Some back pain is caused by sedentary lifestyles and unnatural workplace environments, like sitting at a desk all day. Strengthening back and stomach muscles with safe, specific exercises can give the added support you need to avoid back pain and unnecessary surgery.
Eastern Alternatives
Reiki is an "energy-based healing" using laying of hands to give a sense of relaxation and healing. A Reiki master can teach sufferers how to tap into their own strengths to help with whole body-mind-spirit healing.
Acupuncture is the Chinese medical approach using carefully placed needles to relieve symptoms like back pain. It has been recognized by both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health as being an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions.
In mind/body coaching, sufferers learn how to use guided imagery, meditation, progressive relaxation and breathing techniques to manage pain, stress and tension that in turn help lessen back pain to avoid surgery.
Yoga also helps as an alternative to surgery with the stretching, breathing and meditative exercises to ease back pain and increase whole body well-being.
