Neurosurgery is not the first medical specialty which springs to mind when we are wanting relief from any type of lower back pain. When we think of our backs, we think about the tendons, joints and musculoskeletal system – not areas traditionally associated with neurosurgery. However, changing your mind about this connection could mean the difference between chronic pain and healing.

Even though neurosurgeons are medical specialists who focus on your nerves, patients with lower back pains can benefit from the expertise and care which neurosurgeons provide.

Many people mistakenly think that neurosurgeons are brain surgery specialists. Yet, recent figures show that the majority of neurosurgeons work on the spine alone. The most common ailment neurosurgeons see is lower back pain issues.

Any well-trained neurosurgeon is not there simply to get as many surgeries performed as possible. They are a trained medical professional who can educate patients about the many different options for treatment – including, but not limited to surgery.

Consulting with any neurosurgeon means that you have been referred by your primary care physician and your condition requires more extensive specialization. The spinal column or back bone is our body’s protection for the spinal cord.

All of the information traveling from your brain throughout your entire body moves through your back bone. Neurosurgeons have done extra training and specialization in order to be well-versed in nerves, nerve pathways like the spinal column, and nerve endings.

If you are suffering with any kind of back pain, consulting with a neurosurgeon is a good idea. They are trained to not only operate, but to educate and assist in preparing a comprehensive treatment plan which will cure your lower back pain and spinal cord issues.

One correction a neurosurgeon can easily make is for any shoulder/arm pain. This is in addition to herniated discs or back pain. Finding the right corrective procedure for your individual problem is simple when you understand the roots of it.

There are nerves across your back which serve your arms called the brachial plexus. They run across from your left arm to your right arm and contain five main nerve groups. In addition, there is a disc between vertebrae which is fibrous and contains an inner structure which is similar to gelatin.

There are many reasons this disc can dry it. When it does, it limits the gap between vertebrae and can irritate or trap the nerve by rubbing it. Another spinal difficulty is a herniated disc. Clinics like Boulder Neurosurgical and spine associates work with herniated discs on a regular basis. This type of injury can occur while doing an active sport or when just moving the wrong way in your regular activities.

Any reliable neurosurgeons will provide a number of effective treatment options for arm/shoulder pain, herniated discs, or even neck and back pain. One such procedure is a laminectomy. This is a technique where the laminaes are removed in a manner that enlarges the gap where the nerve exits by digging out bone. This relieves the painful pressure.

Another common problem is hip and back pain. The extensor group are the muscles which support the back along the sides of the spine, attaching to the hips. These are responsible for bending from side to side, rotating, and extending your back and whole body.

When you consult with any neurosurgical associates, you will soon find that there is a proper treatment for many different types of back pain or spine problems. As we age, we may require a little assistance keeping our agility and flexibility.

Believe it or not, a healthy spine means a healthier, happier body. Back pain can be a cause of neck pain, joint pain, and even lower body pain like sciatica. That’s why taking good care of your spine really can make a difference between living a healthy, happy life and suffering with chronic pain.

One easy way to stay healthy is to keep moving. Even when you feel sore or it is painful, movement is important. Many people mistakenly believe that staying bedridden is a cure for back pain. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your back will stay strong when you work hard at keeping your entire body physically fit. If it is painful to move, try doing some gentle yoga stretches.

Another thing that helps is to strengthen your core or trunk area. The oblique muscles and stomach muscles all support your spine. When your stomach and oblique muscles are toned and healthy, you have better support for your back.
Finally, get up and stretch. Most people have a desk job where they are sitting in front of a computer screen for many hours a day. If you have a sedentary job, stand up and stretch at least once an hour. When you are up, lean from side to side, and when you have to be seated, maintain good posture and sit up straight.

If you find you still are suffering from back pain even with healthy diet and exercise, then it may be time to consider laser spine surgery. Choosing this option is safe, effective, and has a quick recovery time. Most laser surgeries are remarkably successful. So, once you choose to have laser surgery and correct any back problems like sciatica, you will enjoy a happier, healthier lifestyle for a long, long time.

When people hear about the benefits of laser spine surgery, they often think that these benefits come with an expensive price tag. Not so. Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure which creates a tiny incision through which an endoscope is passed and tissue burned away with a precision laser. It’s a procedure which has minimal blood loss, quicker recovery time, and less injury for patients.

Compared to using a scalpel or undergoing an extensive open procedure on your back, the laser makes a ¼ to ¾ inch cut. This level of precision gives it an edge over open procedures as no anesthesia is required. Laser spine surgery occurs under conscious sedation for the patient. This means the patient is alert and awake enough to respond to the surgeon’s questions, but does not experience any pain.
The cost of any laser spine surgery depends on which type of procedure is being done. Any reputable spinal center can provide a wide range of services which include:

-Discectomy

-Foraminoplasty – a procedure which increases the foramen of the invertebrae

-Corpectomy – taking out an irritating vertebral body

-Ligament Injury Surgery – typically used for knees or other joints

-Laminotomy – the standard operating procedure for herniated or ruptured discs.

Most laser spine surgeries offer a wide range of services with agreeable payment plans. Plus, since laser spine surgery procedures can occur as an out-patient service – they are less expensive than an open procedure and require less recuperation time.