Nobody wants to undergo a surgical procedure if it can be avoided, and your spine specialist also views treatment in the same way. If they can help you correct an issue without the unnecessary risks that come with surgery, that will be the optimal treatment path. But can spine surgery always be avoided, and what are some of the things that you can do to reduce your likelihood of needing an operation? In today’s blog, we share some ways that you can work to prevent the need for spine surgery.
Avoiding Spine Surgery
As you probably imagine, there is no surefire technique that will allow a person to always be able to avoid the need for spine surgery. Sometimes the only way to correct acute trauma or an underlying health condition is with a surgical procedure. So to answer the first part of the question we asked in the introduction, spine surgery cannot always be avoided.
With that said, there are certainly some things that you can do to greatly reduce your risk of needing to undergo a corrective procedure. Each patient is different, but the vast majority of people with spinal issues can work to lower their risk of needing a surgical procedure by following a few of the following techniques.
- Exercise – Exercise is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of developing back pain that would require a doctor’s attention. Regular movement and exercise will promote ideal bone growth, improve circulation to key areas and strengthen tissues that help to support the spine, which in turn takes pressure off the spinal column.
- Weight Management – Eating a healthy diet and managing your weight can also help you avoid some of the more common reasons for spine surgery. Being overweight or obese can increase the speed of natural structural degeneration in your vertebrae and spinal discs. Advanced degeneration can lead to herniated discs or pinched nerves that may require surgical intervention. Weight loss can also take pressure off your spine, which can alleviate symptoms caused by a few different spinal issues.
- Physical Therapy – Throwing yourself into a physical therapy routine is a great way to treat a condition without the need for surgery. Targeted PT will strengthen specific structures, improve mobility and increase overall function in certain areas of your spine. It may not allow you to get back to complete physical function, but oftentimes you will make enough improvement that there is no longer a need for a corrective procedure.
- Early Intervention – The sooner you reach out to a physician or a spine specialist about your back discomfort, the better the odds that it can be corrected with conservative measures. Putting off treatment typically only leads to worsening symptoms and advanced stages of damage. Conservative treatments tend to be less effective in more advanced conditions, so if you want to avoid surgery, be proactive in seeking out treatment.
- Posture Improvements – Many people don’t realize just how much strain they are putting on certain areas of their spine simply by sitting or standing with poor posture. Simple posture corrections can greatly reduce strain on your cervical or lumbar spine and can prevent the progression of conditions that could eventually lead to surgery. Improving your posture and following other active treatments on this list can certainly reduce your risk of needing spine surgery.
If you follow these tips and trust your care to an experienced spine specialist like Dr. Jackman, we’re confident that you will be able to greatly reduce your risk of needing to undergo an operation on your back. For more information, or for help treating a spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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