Back injuries are among the most common types of personal injuries. Whether they occur as a result of a car accident, on the job, or any other location, millions of people have dealt with a personal back injury at some point in their life.
Back injuries are among the most common types of personal injuries. Whether they occur as a result of a car accident, on the job, or any other location, millions of people have dealt with a personal back injury at some point in their life. No matter how severe or minor, the resulting pain and mobility problems can seriously affect your life
According to a 2017 study, nearly half of all spinal injuries are the result of car accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also indicates that back injuries are some of the most frequent types to occur at work.
Anyone dealing with a personal back injury should not delay or avoid care. The fact is that back pain tends to get worse if it goes untreated. By being active about seeking injury treatment, you can give yourself the best chance of lasting relief.
At Spine Center Atlanta, we understand personal back injury treatment. From state-of-the-art nonsurgical therapies to minimally invasive back surgery, our expert team, led by founder, medical director, and board-certified spine surgeon Dr. James L. Chappuis, are the leaders in patient-centered, personalized care.
The Costs of Delaying Personal Back Injury Treatment
A personal back injury can include soft tissue injuries, such as a muscle strain, and spinal injuries, such as a herniated disc or fracture. Both of these injury types can result in severe back pain that can worsen over time.
While muscle strains and ligament sprains can often heal, it is also easy to reinjure the back or worsen these injuries without proper rest and treatment.
Spine conditions tend to be progressive, which means they get worse over time. Many conditions that cause back pain such as a herniated disc or spinal bone spurs are related to natural aging and degeneration. In some cases, back surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue that is causing painful nerve compression. Even personal back injuries to the spine that don’t require surgery still need sustained non-surgical treatment to ensure the best possible outcome.
Delaying or avoiding treatment for a personal back injury can result in the following difficulties and costs:
- Back pain becoming chronic and more severe
- Reduced range of motion and mobility
- Strained family relationships and friendships
- Missed time at work or reduced job performance
- Increased medical costs in the long-term
Whether you are working with a personal injury attorney, your employer, private insurance, or paying for treatment yourself, your long-term wellness is ultimately in your hands.
Relieving Back Pain with Nonsurgical Treatment
In a large number of cases, personal back injuries can be treated successfully without the need for back surgery. Often, basic at-home treatments combined with options like physical therapy, pain management injections, and therapeutic massage can help relieve pain and improve function.
Alternative therapies, including acupuncture, are also highly effective for many patients. When exploring alternative therapies, ensure that practitioners are licensed and certified in their specialty and keep your primary physician informed of any new treatments you pursue.
Another key area of personal back injury care is your overall health and wellness. A spine and back healthy lifestyle can help with back pain. Eating a nutrient rich anti-inflammatory diet can help strengthen muscles and reduce painful inflammation. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health, help you manage your weight, and strengthen your supporting muscles in the back.
Considering Back Surgery? Benefits of Minimally Invasive Procedures
For patients with a personal back injury who have fully explored nonsurgical therapies, back surgery can become a serious consideration. Many people with back pain avoid back surgery due to the risks and difficulties they associate with traditional open back procedures. However, advances in technology in surgical technique have made minimally invasive procedures possible that offer patients the following advantages:
- A smaller incision
- Less cutting and tearing of soft tissue
- An outpatient procedure
- Reduced risk of infection
- The possibility for a shorter recovery period
You should always discuss the possibility of minimally invasive back surgery if you are being recommended to undergo surgery for a personal back injury.
Recovery and rehabilitation is also a critical step in recovering from any back surgery, even minimally invasive procedures. Talk to your surgical provider about your post surgical physical therapy and rehabilitation plan.
Experience the Difference at Spine Center Atlanta
At Spine Center Atlanta we have extensive experience working with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We know how to work with personal injury attorneys, workers’ compensation insurance, and private insurance. Our compassionate, expert-driven approach to care gets patients back to work, play, and the people they love.
We can create a fully personalized care plan no matter where you are on your personal back injury treatment journey. We’re proud of our 125 years of combined experience that has been able to help more than 35,000 patients find relief. Spine Center Atlanta helps patients from across the United States at our five state-of-the-art facilities throughout Georgia.
If you’re ready to get your life back from back pain, contact us today and schedule your initial appointment.