Spinal fusion and back surgeries are often seen as the last resort when dealing with back pain. If all other methods of care have failed, and that includes injections, chiropractic, physical therapy, pain killers and more, then the patient may well opt for spine surgery to help fix or treat the problem. This is all well and good, but spinal fusion can often mean that the back will no longer function as it was originally designed to do. While the surgery helped whatever issue was occurring, the fact the spine is now in a state where it is not natural may cause problems.
At this point, can chiropractic treatment help after back surgery?
Firstly, did you know that the number of lumbar fusion surgeries for low back pain and other spinal conditions increased from 61,000 per year to nearly 500,000 per year between 1993 and 2013? Another less known fact is that up to 61% of people who decide to go for this type of surgery will continue to experience chronic low back pain. Instead, patients seek non-surgical care for their low back pain. This may lead them to consulting with a chiropractor.
A survey of 62 chiropractors in the veterans administration healthcare system found that about 90% of chiropractors treated at least one post surgical patient in the previous month. 2/3 were found to have treated between one and five patients. Usually, these patients are referred by their primary care physician, physical therapist, or surgeon.
Many people wonder what the post surgical patient can expect when they visit a chiropractor.
What happens when you see us?
First, patient history will be taken, and then a physical examination will occur. The chiropractor will often take x-rays, which may include weight-bearing, neutral AP, and lateral views. Some x-rays will be taken in full flexion and extension. The x-ray assesses fusion stability, and looks for broken screws and hardware malfunction from the surgery.
The x-rays will also allow the doctor to assess the levels above and below the fused segments. These joints can often become hyper-mobile, which in turn leads to injury and pain. Depending on what the x-rays show, a CT scan or MRI may be discussed as a potential option, as they can show different parts of the body.
In addition to chiropractic care for the post surgical patients, there are other treatments which have been studied. These include high velocity, low amplitude manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue techniques. Specific exercises which target the core muscle groups, and even nutrition instruction can all help a patient on their road to recovery.
At Natural Health Center here in Medical Lake, we have helped a number of patients who had spinal fusion surgeries to maintain their relief and help them stay fit. We have a variety of treatment options, including chiropractic, physical therapy, medical massage and more. All contribute to helping the patient’s wellbeing and maintain pain relief from the surgery.
Contact us today if you’ve had surgery but still have pain.