Chronic back pain can be uniquely debilitating. In some cases, pain can be so persistent sufferers turn to drastic interventions like surgery to find relief. Yet, increasingly, science suggests pain intensity does not determine severity of damage. As a result, some musculoskeletal specialists now recommend surgery be prescribed only after less invasive treatments like exercise rehab.
In this 'quick dive' blog, our osteopath Simon Bell explains why surgery should be a last resort for back pain relief. If you'd like to know more about this subject, please read our in depth piece on the evidence for and against back surgery.
1. Pain Doesn't Always Mean Damage
Contemporary pain science research suggests pain is a complex phenomenon that doesn't always behave in the ways we expect. For instance, a person can suffer from intense low back pain but present with no tissue damage. In these cases, surgery may feel like the only option but, if there's nothing to repair, there's no guarantee of improvement.
2. Surgery Is Helpful for SOME Conditions
It's not to say back pain surgery isn't beneficial in some cases. It's often necessary after accident related traumas because there is obvious tissue damage to be repaired. Some incurable conditions like spinal stenosis also respond well to surgical interventions because, over time, symptoms worsen and require more aggressive treatment.
If you've experienced persistent (longer than six weeks) numbness in the legs, buttocks or groin or noticed bowel and/or bladder dysfunctions, we strongly advise you consult with a doctor. While rare, some types of back pain can be linked to serious health complications.
3. Exercise Is Medicine
Evidence to support the efficacy of exercise rehab as a back pain treatment gets stronger every year. Studies suggest controlled movement - particularly when prescribed as part of custom treatment plans - can be beneficial in almost all cases. Contrary to what was once believed, exercise is unlikely to cause further damage to tissues. They don't say 'motion is lotion' for nothing, you know.
4. Surgery Is Often a Short Term Fix
Precisely because so many types of low back pain are not linked to tissue damage, surgery can be a short term fix with poor long term results. In most cases, non-surgical interventions like exercise rehab, manual therapies, dietary support and stress management are less effective at providing immediate relief from back pain but the long term effects are superior.
If you're unsure about your options, Easy Physio's back pain assessment is a great place to start. This FREE questionnaire screens for symptoms our spinal experts would flag as requiring further testing by a GP. So, it's a quick and easy way to determine if non-surgical options are the best choice for your condition.
