Chiropractic Care Lowers Need for Back Surgery

If you live in the Oakleigh area, have a back injury and think that surgery is the inevitable outcome, think again.  Research suggests you may actually be able to avoid this rather invasive option as long as you begin chiropractic care shortly after you first injure yourself.

The Study and Its Surprising Results

Researchers looked at 1,885 individual cases where workers filed back-related workers’ compensation claims. They looked at the initial filings as well as billing submissions to determine what kind of medical care the individuals received (such as chiropractic care, surgery, etc.). What they found confirms how beneficial chiropractic care can be – especially if you want to avoid the cost and lengthy recovery time often associated with back surgery.

Of the cases that were reviewed, 174 people ended up having some form of back surgery within three years of their claim. However, of the individuals who chose a surgeon as their first medical intervention after the injury, a staggering 42.7% wound up in the operating room while only 1.5% of the people who went to a chiropractor had the same fate.

This study suggests that choosing a trusted and knowledgeable chiropractor right after your back injury occurs can greatly reduce your need for lower back surgery, saving you lots of time and money, not to mention that it is better for your body in the long run.

So, if you’ve injured your back and want to avoid surgery, call Dr. Liveriadis, your Oakleigh chiropractor, first. We’ll do our best to keep you out of the operating room and on the road to recovery!

Reference

Keeney BJ, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of works in Washington state. Spine 2012; doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182814ed5.