Back pain. Should I see a surgeon?

Should I see a medical doctor for my low back pain?

We hear that a lot. Before I answer that question let me tell you a little about us:

Barton Chiropractic in Concord is recognised as one of the top Chiropractic offices, having received that award two years in a row. Our Concord chiropractic office has helped thousands of patients.

Dr. Barton has trained several doctors throughout the united states on how to provide what many feel is the most effective and gentle Chiropractic available.

It is our strong belief that the most effective care begins with constant researching, training and studying. Dr. Barton himself has attended over 200 post graduate seminars, and has published numerous papers on Chiropractic.

The medical profession has been trying new things for back pain since the inception of medicine. New research pops up almost daily. I believe the best chiropractor needs to stay on top of anything that could benefit his patients. This recent medical research study shows without a shadow of a doubt, medicine has no way to help back pain, or at least it is very ineffective. Especially when compared to Chiropractic care.

Nonsurgical interventional therapies for low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society clinical practice guideline.

Chou R, Atlas SJ, Stanos SP, Rosenquist RW.

Source

Department of Medicine, Oregon Evidence-Based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. chour@ohsu.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To systematically assess benefits and harms of nonsurgical interventional therapies for low back and radicular pain.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:

Although use of certain interventional therapies is common or increasing, there is also uncertainty or
controversy about their efficacy.

METHODS:

Electronic database searches on Ovid MEDLINE and the Cochrane databases were conducted through July 2008 to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of local injections, botulinum toxin injection, prolotherapy, epidural steroid injection, facet joint injection, therapeutic medial branch block, sacroiliac joint injection, intradiscal steroid injection, chemonucleolysis, radiofrequency denervation, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation, Coblation nucleoplasty, and spinal cord stimulation. All relevant studies were methodologically assessed by 2 independent reviewers using criteria developed by the Cochrane Back Review Group (for trials) and by Oxman (for systematic reviews). A qualitative synthesis of results was performed using methods adapted from the US Preventive Services Task Force.

RESULTS:

For sciatica or prolapsed lumbar disc with radiculopathy, we found good evidence that chemonucleolysis is moderately superior to placebo injection, and fair evidence that epidural steroid injection is moderately effective for short-term (but not long-term) symptom relief. We found fair evidence that spinal cord stimulation is moderately effective for failed back surgery syndrome with persistent radiculopathy, though device-related complications are common.

 We found good or fair evidence that:

•  prolotherapy,
•  facet joint injection,
•  intradiscal steroid injection,
•  percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation

are not effective.

CONCLUSION:

Few nonsurgical interventional therapies for low back pain have been shown to be effective in randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Comment in

• ACP Journal Club. Review: Evidence for the effectiveness of nonsurgical interventions for low back pain and radiculopathy is limited. [Ann Intern Med. 2009]
  ACP Journal Club. Review: Evidence for the effectiveness of nonsurgical interventions for low back pain and radiculopathy is limited.Rothschild B. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Oct 20; 151(8):JC4-10, JC4-11.
• Review: evidence for the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for low back pain and radiculopathy is limited. [Evid Based Med. 2009]
  Review: evidence for the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for low back pain and radiculopathy is limited.Rothschild B. Evid Based Med. 2009 Dec; 14(6):180-1.
• Re: Chou R, Atlas SJ, Stanos SP, et al. Nonsurgical interventional therapies for low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society clinical practice guideline. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2009;34: 1078-93. [Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010]

If you are suffering from back pain, and looking for back pain relief, click on  Barton Chiropractic in Concord to find out more or contact our office at 925 685-2002 or Concord Chiropractor.