Is Back Surgery Really the Only Solution?

Here's How to Avoid This (Often Unnecessary) Last Resort

With a typical office job comes the practically unavoidable routine of sitting for long periods of time, day after day. Over time, this sedentary way of living can contribute to chronic back pain and stiffness. But how can sitting comfortably in a chair ultimately lead to such painful symptoms?

Well, maintaining a static or slouched posture for prolonged periods of time (more than 20-30 minutes) puts stress on the back muscles and spinal discs in particular – often resulting in chronic back pain. Discs can weaken over time due to poor posture, and may even progress to Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).

When back pain becomes unbearable, many patients feel like back surgery is the only way out – when in reality, this is not the case. There are different ways to manage back pain, both at home and with the help of a professional, that have worked wonders for many!

Seeking Professional Care

Dr. Don Fitz-Ritson, a Chiropractor/Rehab Specialist and Director of the Advanced Therapeutic Centre, helps patients treat their chronic back pain symptoms every day. After a consultation and review of a patient's history, Dr. Don will conduct a physical examination. During a typical exam, he will take some body measurements and ask his patients to perform basic movements to observe and assess the state of the muscles and joints. He will also conduct certain tests such as orthopedic and neurological clinical tests, or take X-rays to gain a clearer understanding of what may be causing the issue.

Services at the Advanced Therapeutic Centre

The Advanced Therapeutic Centre offers many beneficial services to treat back pain.These services include:

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatments are used to restore the body's functional structures to help relieve pressure on the nerves, and ultimately promote normal joint biomechanics and nerve function for pain relief.

Dynamic Traction Therapy

For patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease, the Centre uses Dynamic Traction therapy to relieve pressure on the discs and ligaments in the spine. This promotes recovery and healing in the discs.

Laser Therapy

With Laser therapy, astate-of-the-art laser light is used to increase circulation in localized areas to ultimately reduce inflammation and swelling. Completely safe and painless, patients often experience great feelings of relief after their treatment session.

Contemporary Acupuncture

Acupuncture is anothergreat form of therapy. It is used at the Centre to stimulate nerve receptors in the body and encourage an improved flow of energy. This promotes balance and wellbeing while providing effective relief.

Rehabilitation and Nutrition Therapy

The Advanced Therapeutic Centre's Rehab programspromotes the healing and strengthening of muscles through a 4-level program. Laser therapy and gentle exercises work together to ultimately reduce pain for the patient. Nutritional recommendations are provided to patients to further enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Get Moving! Your Body Will Thank You

When the body is static and locked into one position for a long period of time, the discs in the vertebrae become starved of nutrients that they would otherwise receive through movement. This is why making an effort to incorporate as much movement as possible into your day is crucial. Give your body a chance to loosen up! Simply getting up and stretching regularly, or taking a small walk away from your work desk every 30- 50 minutes is helpful. Try to walk for at least 10 minutes each time. Even going for a brief walk around the block every day for 20 minutes or so can aid in keeping weight down, and promote a healthy blood flow of vital nutrients to the spine's structures. Also, avoid the hunch! Try to adopt a proper posture at work, and utilize the back support from your chair.

Don't Knock It 'Til You Try It!

It's smart to try out these methods, or others recommended by Dr. Don, before considering surgery for your back pain. In a lot of cases, patients feel so hopeless and frustrated with their condition that they feel as though there is no other possible fix than to go under the knife (which always comes with its risks).The Advanced Therapeutic Centre is always assuring patients to not lose hope! These methods havebeen able to successfully treat many of their patients, so why not you?

If you've been struggling with chronic back pain symptoms, book a consultation with the Advanced Therapeutic Centre today. Surgery isn't the only means to relief!