In the event that you have sustained an injury involving your joints, your physician may recommend that you see an orthopedic surgeon. In many cases, chiropractic treatment may be a safe, drug-free alternative to invasive surgery, but many individuals are unaware that this is an option available to them. In fact, often, chiropractors treat patients who were led to believe they would require surgery. Instead, after chiropractic treatment, they were able to feel better without going through a surgical procedure.
Although surgery may be the best option for some patients, for many others, they have another alternative that can be less costly, less invasive, and drug-free. Additionally, many patients find that surgery can worsen chronic issues or return after some time has elapsed. Chiropractic treatment may help you avoid having to undergo surgery or a subsequent surgery after an initial surgery failed to solve the problem.
Is Chiropractic Care an Alternative to Surgery?
If you happen to suffer from a musculoskeletal or joint issue, the most typical course of action to take for treatment is to seek out the care of an orthopedic surgeon or a chiropractor. Both orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors treat patients who are experiencing pain caused by musculoskeletal issues.
The goal of the chiropractor and orthopedic surgeon is to help rehabilitate those who suffer from musculoskeletal or joint issues and to help them feel better and experience a better quality of life. However, the method to obtain these results differs in these two medical practices. A chiropractor will use non-invasive techniques such as soft tissue work, adjustments, dry needling, and laser therapy, while an orthopedic surgeon will use surgical interventions to treat these issues.
For example, in one case, a patient opted to have rotator cuff surgery in an attempt to alleviate pain and treat her frozen shoulder symptoms. This patient’s symptoms gradually worsened after surgery until their range of motion was nearly wholly restricted. This patient was told that they would require another surgery, but instead, this patient sought the evaluation of a chiropractor. Over the course of several months, the patient’s range of motion was improved from a range of treatments, including physical therapy and soft tissue treatment. This chiropractic patient saw the results they were looking for without undergoing additional invasive surgery and subsequent recovery time.
Interestingly, in a related study conducted in the state of Washington, it was found that when workers with social security disability claims for back injuries chose to see a chiropractor before meeting with an orthopedic surgeon, only 1.5% had surgery. In comparison, 42.7% of whom an orthopedic surgeon evaluated before meeting with a chiropractor underwent surgery. This study indicates that the first doctor you see following the initial diagnosis of your condition has a significant impact on the likelihood of being persuaded to have surgery. Additionally, this study shows us that those who chose to receive chiropractic treatment very rarely went on to undergo surgery. The results of this study are astounding, as it can be observed inferentially that the type of treatment a patient sought was primarily responsible for determining whether or not they would receive surgery.
Many individuals, including patients mentioned in the above-aforementioned study, were unaware that they had a choice to seek non-invasive alternative care from a chiropractor. Of course, the right treatment plan and course of action depend on many factors, including the extent of the injury, risks associated with the proposed surgery, recovery time, and personal choice. Therefore, we believe it is best to explore your options and understand what alternatives you may have before making permanent decisions, such as surgical treatment.
Chiropractic treatment can be a successful alternative to surgery, and in many instances, we believe surgery should be treated as a last resort.
Chiropractic care can treat a wide range of issues, including, but not limited to:
- Disc Injuries
- Foot and Ankle Pain
- Headaches
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Sciatica
- Shoulder Pain
- Sports Injuries
- Vertigo
- Whiplash
If you are presently experiencing discomfort from an injury or chronic pain, we want you to know the extent of your treatment options, including chiropractic care. While surgery is the right option for some patients in some situations, many individuals can see relief from their symptoms without having to undergo an invasive procedure. Therefore, we believe that you shouldn’t make a permanent decision without understanding all of your options.
Here at Atlas Total Health Chiropractic, our experienced team of chiropractic doctors is available to provide you with an assessment and discuss your unique needs so that we may create an individualized treatment plan for you. From there, you will be able to make an educated decision regarding the treatment options available to you.
Want to see if chiropractic treatment could be an alternative to surgery for you? Call (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation, and we will explain how we can help you feel better and back to optimal health as soon as possible.
