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Back Pain Treatment: Acupuncture, Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy

Part 4 of 4

Photo of Stewart G. Eidelson, MD
Stewart G. Eidelson, MD
SpineUniverse Founder, Orthopaedic Surgeon
South Palm Orthospine Institute
Boca Raton, FL
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used alternative or ‘complimentary medical’ procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture became widely known in the United States in the 1970s. Studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works.

Lifestyle, age, physiology and other factors combine to make every person different. A treatment that works for one person may not work for another who has the same condition. You, as a health care consumer (especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition) should discuss acupuncture with your doctor. Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncturist who does not have substantial conventional medical training. If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor and have had little or no success using conventional medicine, you may wish to ask your doctor whether acupuncture might help.

Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based on the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system. The spinal column is a key structure in the nervous system as it contains the spinal cord and nerve roots that branch out into the entire body. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. Chiropractic treatment involves adjusting the spine to correct vertebral misalignment and imbalance.

Physical Therapy (PT)
The treating doctor prescribes PT to treat sprains/strains, muscles spasms, arthritis, and many other back disorders. It is an important component of treatment following spine surgery. The purpose of PT is to help the patient build strength, flexibility, and endurance. PT combines heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulating, and massage with exercise as part of rehabilitation.

Conclusion
The relationship you have with your doctor is important. He (or she) will work to diagnose the cause of your back pain. A proper diagnosis is the first step to develop the right treatment plan for you.

Posted on: January 7th, 2002
Last Updated on: December 10th, 2009
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What is this?
This article brings a number of treatment options for the patient with a back problem to ask his or her healthcare provider about. The important fact to remember is that almost all of the causes of back and/or nerve root pain will respond to the nonsurgical treatments discussed in this article.

Epidural steroids can be effective in alleviating leg pain resulting from a herniated disc or narrowing of the spine from arthritis as long as the pain has not been present for more than 3-6 months. They are often prescribed in a series of three - 2-3 weeks apart. Although most herniated discs will resolve with time without surgery (6 weeks - 3 months), some patients will require surgery sooner because of severe pain or weakness of the leg resulting from compression of the nerve by the herniated disc. The same is true of laminectomy procedures for spinal stenosis. Spinal fusion is a major surgical procedure designed to relieve mechanical back pain resulting from arthritis by eliminating movement between two or more vertebrae. It should only be considered after a 3-6 month period of nonsurgical treatment options discussed in the article.

This article should inform patients with back pain that there are a number of treatment options available that should be discussed with the treating physician in order to expedite a successful recovery.

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