Back pain is incredibly common. In fact, it's estimated than up to 80 percent of Americans will suffer some degree of back pain at one point or another in their lifetimes. For some back pain is simply a minor inconvenience that can be treated with over the counter medication. For others, it's debilitating and can require pain killers and surgery. Surgery may seem daunting for those who have back pain that causes major problems in their lives. However, there are a few ways to treat back pain without surgery. There are also plenty of doctors that specialize in orthopedic non surgical treatments for back pain.
Physical Therapy
One of the first line of treatments for any orthopedic issues is physical therapy. Physical therapy uses exercises, massage, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and other types of treatments in order to alleviate pain. Physical therapy can be highly effective when it comes to treating back pain for some people and can be a good option for those seeking to avoid surgery. The cost can vary greatly depending on the treatments and whether or not the patient has insurance. With health insurance the typical copay is between $10 and $75 while those without insurance can expect to pay between $50 and $350 on average.
Injections
Another option for those who suffer from back pain are injections. For some patients, steroid injections can be a very effective way to treat back pain. However, they do not work for every patient and are not recommended for all back pain sufferers. Injections are often done when physical therapy is not completely effective. Steroid injections can be pricey, costing between $600 and $2,500 each. Injections are often the step taken before surgery is seriously considered.
Back Support
Another non surgical way to treat back pain is through the use of a back support or back brace. This is often the best option for when back pain is caused by an injury or some sort of deformity. Back braces can range in price from anywhere between $40 and $1,000. While back supports can be a great non surgical option, they are also often used after surgery to keep the spine in alignment and to help with the healing process.
Treating back pain can be difficult and varies from patient to patient. For those who want to avoid surgery, there are a few different options. Physical therapy, injections, and back supports are all non surgical treatments for back pain.
For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon.
