Most of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives and about 90% of those people will heal on their own within a few weeks. When a patient presents to a doctor with back pain there are many different options the doctor has to treat the patient that are non-surgical. An exercise program and medication should be one of the first methods of pain management. Americans are spending about $86 billion a year to get relief from back pain. They will subject themselves to having MRIs, taking pain medication, having nerve blocks administered and acupuncture.

What are the Causes for Back Pain?

There is no one cause for back pain. Arthritis, osteoporosis, disks can become damaged or rupture causing the gel-like center to leak and put pressure on the nerves. Another reason for back pain can be cause by a vertebra slipping out of alignment and stenosis (this is when the spinal canal narrows). These conditions do not necessarily require operations. Actually experts say that only about 10% of people with chronic back pain are actually good candidates for surgery.

What are some of the Options for Dealing with Back Pain?

According to information taken from an article written by Lauren Neergaard AP Medical Writer titled "Back Pain Widely Overtreated in US"; there are a few things that should be considered when choosing your options of dealing with back pain:

1. Back pain is a wide spread problem in the United States and it is costing people billions of dollars in healthcare. There is no one "proven" treatment for everyone. Each person is different and the type of treatment that works for each will vary. You and your physician should work together to evaluate your symptoms and come up with alternatives to surgeries.

2. Time is most often the best cure there is for back pain. Most people will heal on their own within just a few weeks. It is not a good idea to have any kind of X-ray or MRI unless the pain continues for at least a month. These scans can actually be misleading for middle aged people due to the slight degeneration of disks. Being able to actually pinpoint what abnormality on a scan actually means is a little tricky to determine.

3. "Exercise is medicine, but it has to be the right exercise." Exercises must be focused on strengthening the muscles that support the spine. These exercises should be designed and supervised by a trained physical therapist in order for them to be effective. The proper exercise can be very beneficial as long as the patient is able to manage through the pain.

4. Anyone facing the possibility of back surgery should always get a second opinion.

5. The patients' ability to work through the pain and get back to normal activities as quickly as possible will have a huge advantage when it comes to a faster recovery.

Are We "Over-Treating" the Back Pain Epidemic?

After reading Ms. Neergaard's article "Back Pain Widely Overtreated in the US"; it will become clear to you that even our most advanced technologies and sophisticated surgical procedures are not solving the back pain problem. And to make it even worse, Americans are spending billions of dollars and not getting the desired results. Back pain is a very complex issue and there is no one "proven" cure for everyone.

1. With healthcare costs in America sky-rocketing and the number of back pain cases increasing; what can be done? Ms. Neergaard's article may lead some to think about whether we are "over-treating" the back pain problem. Or, are we just not treating it correctly by using the wrong treatments for the wrong patients?

2. There are many different factors that contribute to the back pain epidemic in our society today. A lot of people experience back pain due to their lifestyle choices and the way we manage our overall health in general. Wouldn't it be best to incorporate preventative measures before we begin to suffer from back pain? Talk with your doctor and let him or her help you come up with the proper exercise routine and nutrition program that works for your particular lifestyle.

Consider Incorporating the help of a Chiropractor

Another possible option of dealing with back pain to avoid surgery is to visit a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors are specially trained to treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system and the supporting nerves. Research has proven that manipulative therapy and spinal manipulation are not only safe but they are effective ways of treating back pain. In a lot of cases, Chiropractors can produce much quicker results and are much more affordable than some of the other alternatives.

A Chiropractor can help a person design an exercise program that will work for them and their particular lifestyle. They can also help them develop a nutrition program. Having proper nutrition and following some type of exercise program goes a long way in preventing illness and promotes better overall health. So, when you begin to experience back pain; consider consulting a Chiropractor instead of your primary doctor. He or she may be able to alleviate your pain without having to turn to medication and/or surgical procedures.

References: MSN Pain Center Back Pain Widely Overtreated in US by Lauran Neergaard AP Medical Writer for the Associated Press June 8, 2010 Accessed October 7, 2010.