Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Spine pain can be a daily burden, but surgery to correct the problem can be a significant financial burden. Because of this, many people dealing with spine pain decide to look for some low-cost alternatives to going under the knife. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five low-cost alternatives to back surgery.

Cheap Alternatives To Spine Surgery

Before we dive into some low-cost alternatives to spine surgery, it’s important to remember that these techniques may not be right for every situation. Sometimes surgery is unavoidable, while other times one conservative technique may not provide the relief you seek. With that in mind, it’s important to speak with a spine specialist about your condition and your treatment options before diving into any rehabilitation regimen. After speaking with your spine specialist, don’t be surprised if they recommend one or more of the following options that are much less pricey than surgery.

1. Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is likely the most common form of treatment prescribed for a variety of spinal conditions. Many spine issues, like herniated discs, pinched nerves and soft tissue injuries respond well to targeted strength training exercises. Physical therapists can also give you all the tools you need to perform the exercises from the comfort of your home, which will help to save on expenses.
2. Corticosteroid Injections – A spine injection can help to provide pain relief at a fraction of the cost of spine surgery. With that said, injections alone will not cure your underlying spine issue, so it’s important to use the time and comfort provided by the injection to pursue other treatments, like physical therapy and exercise.
3. Exercise – Exercise is a less concentrated form of physical therapy that can provide whole body benefits alongside spine treatment. If back pain is making traditional exercise too painful, consider less impactful exercise routines, like swimming or running on an elliptical. Exercise can help to develop muscles and soft tissues so that they can better handle the stress that is being placed on them.
4. Diet And Weight Loss – Improving your diet and losing weight won’t help with every spinal problem, but if you’re dealing with pain from a shifted disc or degenerative disc disease, eating better and dropping some pounds can make a huge difference. Your spine plays a key role in helping to disperse stress throughout the body, and if you lose weight, that’s less stress that needs to be handled by areas like your lower back and hips. Improving your diet also helps to get your body key vitamins and nutrients that can help with bone development.
5. Over-The-Counter Medications – Similar to corticosteroid injections, over-the-counter medications and prescription painkillers can help to limit your discomfort, but they should not be a stand-alone treatment option. You need to pair medications with active techniques that help to treat the underlying issue, not just mask symptoms. Medications can play a key role in your treatment, but don’t expect to just take a magic pill to cure your back pain.

If you’re interested in pursuing one or more of the above techniques, or if you just want advice from a spine specialist in your area, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today.

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