AARP published an article discussing "4 Surgeries to Avoid." One of the surgeries is a "Spinal Fusion for Spinal Stenosis."  This caught my attention because one of the most commonly treated conditions in my office is spinal stenosis.  

Spinal fusion surgeries are very common surgeries, especially when there is significant degeneration and compressed nerves. I see patients on a daily basis that have complications and/or complete failures from these procedures that are looking for anything that could possibly improve their pain from these failed procedures.

In these procedures, the vertebrae are "fused", or bolted and screwed together, and connected by rods.  The idea is that you can keep the bones apart, and make room for the nerves.  

A recent study of medicare patients showed that the number of Spinal Fusion surgery had increased 1,400 percent between 2002 and 2007 although the risks associated with this surgery are very high.  Some of the complications associated with spinal fusions are that the fusion never takes, or does't heal.  In this case you have bones that are broken, in fragments, and there is nothing that can be done.  Other complications are infections, reactions to the anesthesia, nerve damage, and of course death.

Some of the most significant issues when considering these surgeries are:

• You are 3 times more likely to have life threatening complications, than with less invasive surgeries.
• Most of the patients that have had spinal fusions don't do any better with pain or function than those that have physical medicine treatment like physical therapy or chiropractic care.
• Floyd J. Fowler Jr., Ph.D., states, “There is even some evidence that [complex fusion surgery] is worse than other surgeries.” “The vertebrae right above and below the fusion have to do a lot more bending, and it puts stress on your back above and below.”

Dr. Weil, a medical doctor in the Rehabilitation program at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, states “probably less than 5 percent of all back pain requires surgery.”

I tell every patient, go from least invasive to most invasive procedures, and not to skip anything!  With these types of complications, you absolutely must exhaust every option possible or you are putting your health at serious risk

Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/4-surgeries-to-avoid.3.html

We have had several patients that have been told they need surgery, you can listen to their stories here:

In our clinic we have two spinal decompression tables that have proven to be one of the most effective non-drug and non-surgical treatment options for lower back and neck pain that we have ever seen.  If you have back pain, a disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, a slipped disc, scoliosis, or a degenerative disc condition we may be able to help you with this new technology.

Dr. Shook created a DVD on spinal decompression therapy that you can watch online if you are interested in learning more.  To get access to the presentation all you need to do is enter your email in the form below and we will send you a link where you can view the presentation.  If you have any questions do not hesitate to give us a call.  (828) 324-0800.  You can also visit us online at www.hickoryspine.com

Pingot J, Pingot M, Łabecka M, Woldańska-Okońska M., Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2014 May;36(215):330-5. The use of Saunders lumbar traction in physiotherapy of patients with chronic lower back pain. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2014 May;36(215):330-5.The use of Saunders lumbar traction in physiotherapy of patients with chronic lower back pain. 

New technology is proving to be an effective non-surgical and non-drug treatment for many disc herniations, bulging discs, slipped discs, sciatica, pinched nerves and degenerative discs.  What is this technology you ask?  

Well, there are actually three: 

1. Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy
2. Active Therapeutic Movements (a.k.a. The ATM2)
3. Laser Therapy

We offer all three of these leading edge therapies in our clinic, and we have close to 30 video testimonials from real patients that have benefited from these gentle, effective, cutting edge treatments.