Back Surgery

Surgical solutions to spinal problems are all too common. Yet these approaches are expensive, traumatic and often ineffective. In fact, their success is so poor that the term “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome” has been coined to describe the all too frequent result.

Common Strategies

Back surgery usually involves one of three different approaches.

Fusion: Adjacent spinal bones are fused together, eliminating movement.

Discectomy: Disc tissue that is encroaching upon nerve openings is surgically cut away.

Laminectomy: The two interlocking “fingers” of the facet joints are sawed off.

Surgical solutions produce irreversible changes to the form and function of the spine. Plus, there are risks associated with anesthesia and hospital-acquired infections.

Last Resort

Ironically, many insurance policies will pay for back surgery, but not for a program of chiropractic care that is less expensive and can often avoid the necessity of such an invasive procedure!

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