Determining if Non-Surgical Spine Treatments Are Right for You

Chronic back and neck pain is no joke. You deserve relief. But is surgery the only option? Frankly, it’s not. What’s more, surgery may not even be the best option, depending on your situation.

At Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, we prioritize a conservative approach to back and spine pain treatment. If you are able to heal your body naturally before having an operation, that may be a better bet. On the other hand, there are many people who do, in fact, require surgery. That’s why it’s important to get a medical evaluation to determine your options.

If it’s determined that you don’t need surgery, then the following non-surgical treatments for the spine might be the right fit for your condition.

Why Consider Non-Surgical Treatment First?

More and more patients – and doctors – are questioning the need for surgery, especially complex back surgery. Dr. Baig has always believed that surgery is a last resort! While most types of spine surgery are generally considered to be safe and effective, surgery isn’t always necessary. That’s why Dr. Baig listens carefully to all patients, reviews imaging, and creates a personalized treatment plan.

The bottom line is this: if alleviation of symptoms and restoration of normal quality of life – or somewhere close to it – is possible without surgery, it’s usually better to try that route than to operate.

What Counts as Non-Surgical Spine Treatment?

Non-surgical treatments of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are wide-ranging. They could refer to everything from physical therapy to medication management. Here are a few of the most common non-surgical spine treatments that patients find success utilizing:

• Physical therapy

• Pain management with corticosteroid injections or OTC pain medications like NSAIDS

• Lifestyle changes such as losing weight or improving posture

• Spinal decompression therapy

• Behavioral support, ergonomic modification, stress management, and other supporting modalities

Oftentimes, Dr. Baig will prescribe a variety of these things in combination for the most effective course of treatment.

Clinical Evidence: Non-Surgical Options Work

Non-surgical spine treatments aren’t a bunch of pseudoscience. On the contrary, various medical studies have proved their safety and efficacy.

For instance, a 2023 study followed patients with lumbar spinal stenosis – a common cause of back and leg pain. In this study, researchers conducted three different treatment plans: 1) manual therapy and individualized exercise, 2) group-based exercise, and 3) usual medical care. All groups improved at the 6-month mark, but the manual therapy and personalized exercise group saw the greatest short-term benefit in both pain relief and walking capacity.

MRI results from this study also showed increased disc height and reduced herniations.

In our blog post “What to Try Before Spinal Fusion,” we discuss in depth how posture, physical therapy, and non-opioid pain relief can decrease symptoms without invasive interventions.

Who is a Good Candidate for Spine Non-Surgical Treatment?

You could be a good candidate for conservative care if:

• Your symptoms are intermittent or manageable

• Imaging shows no severe instability or spinal cord compression

• You’ve tried little or no nonsurgical treatments thus far

• You’d like to avoid surgery altogether or delay it

When Might Surgery Still Be Necessary?

Non-surgical spine treatment may not be an option if:

• You’re experiencing progressive weakness or numbness

• You’ve exhausted all non-surgical options

• There’s clear and definitive structural instability of the spine

• Your pain is disabling and/or hard to control

Why Choose Desert Spine?

We treat patients in the greater Phoenix, AZ area and throughout the U.S. who come to us looking for second opinions, advanced diagnostics, and surgical alternatives.

When you choose us, you get:

• A doctor who listens

• Personalized treatment plans

• Emphasis on education and shared decision-making

• A true desire to help you – not sell you on unnecessary procedures

We invite you to take the first step today and reach out for a consultation. See how you can take your life back without surgery. It starts with a choice.