What Can I Do Instead of Surgery? -

Invasive surgery can be life-changing and permanent, with extended recovery times. While surgery can be imperative and life-saving, sometimes it doesn’t have to be your first choice. With a holistic, natural approach, we believe in first trying all of the most conservative options first. Here’s big impact suggestions for surgery alternatives.

Chiropractic –

Spinal adjustments of the spine realign the structure of the body. The main principle here is that when the structure is sound, the body is at rest.

The spine is there to give structure and the muscles exist to give movement. However, when the structure is off, the muscles are recruited to be structural rather than supportive. This is not optimal function! Eventually, it will lead to symptoms alerting to the problem with discomfort.

We’ve discussed herniated and bulging disks before. Doctors may prescribe surgery or a
discectomy. In this procedure, the disc is shaved down to relieve pressure on the nerve. There are some risks, as the patient is under general anesthesia, and will be limited in moving and lifting so as not reherniate.

With time and repeated adjustments to move the bone, a chiropractor can remove the abnormal pressure, allowing the disc to begin healing. The repetition is needed to keep the vertebrae in alignment so the herniation does happen again.

Before surgery, it is essential to get everything balanced back out. Chiropractic is our first choice for specific and scientific realignment.

Exercise –

Working out is great for balancing your body’s use of skeletal structure and muscles. Personal training with functional trainers is key for getting you stronger and healthier, rather than just cosmetic enhancement.

Physical Therapy –

Get a consultation with a physical therapist before considering surgery. And then do the work! Weeks or months of PT and healing are worth the investment if it spares your body weeks or months of surgery recovery. PT has been known to be an alternative to surgery for issues such as “rotator cuff tears and degenerative disk disease, to meniscal tears and some forms of knee osteoarthritis,” states this article by Move Foward.

Even if you do decide to opt for surgery, PT before hand will be extremely beneficial as “prehab” for many different procedures, such as a joint replacement or ACL repair. #winwin

Nutrition

Get your food input right! Don’t diet – make real lifestyle changes so your body is not in a constant state of inflammation. Your strategy for avoiding surgery could start with your fridge.

Reduce these inflammatory foods, listed by Medical News Today:

processed meats
sugary drinks
trans fats, found in fried foods
white bread
white pasta
gluten
soybean oil and vegetable oil
processed snack foods, such as chips and crackers
desserts, such as cookies, candy, and ice cream
excess alcohol
too many carbohydrates

Harvard Medical School suggests adding these inflammation-fighting foods to your diet:

tomatoes
olive oil
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
nuts like almonds and walnuts
fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges

Discover Your Surgery-Free Life

This month, we’re discussing various topics related to surgery. Read last week’s post on being adjusted post-surgery here.

If you are a patient of Dopps Chiropractic NE, but haven’t been adjusted in a while,
click here to make an appointment immediately! Drs. Ryan and Denise Dopps can’t wait to catch up with you and take care of you.

If you are interested in becoming a patient and unlocking your body’s potential, sign up here! We are offering a Blog Special – $30 for your initial exam, x-rays and adjustment at our NE Wichita office (21st and Greenwich). Get started here and tell our office #NewPatient30.

If you are not in the Wichita area, reach out to us at doppsne@att.net and we will use our broad network to help find a principled chiropractor near you.

Dr. Ryan Dopps and Dr. Denise Dopps are board certified chiropractors and graduates of Parker University, active in Dynamic Essentials, and the International Chiropractic Association. They love serving and adjusting their community at their Wichita, KS office.

References:

What Can I Do Instead of Surgery?