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I have a section in my clinic dedicated to non-surgical treatment, dedicated to the treatment of spine problems. A doctor who specializes in rehabilitation comes in twice a week to do the initial evaluation and prescribe the appropriate treatment, based on my orders and diagnosis. A full time kinesiologist carries out the treatment plan.

Standard therapy for back or neck pain includes heat, massage, traction, and a specialized type of electrical stimulation. Long-term use of transdermal neural stimulation (TNS or TENS) is not usually helpful. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons has recommended against TENS for low back pain. (www.medscape.com/viewarticle/714493?src=mp&spon=8&uac=140674AR )

We use DRX-9000 spinal decompression for traction (see Spinal Decompression). I think that gives our program a better chance of providing pain relief than programs without spinal decompression.

Each patient’s non-operative treatment plan is customized to their particular needs. Most patients are treated three times a week, but some have lumbar spine decompression five times a week. Our treatment plans will gradually recede after a few weeks to self-treatment at home. Patients are given do’s and don’ts and exercises to do at home during their treatment here.

For example, after lower back surgery, don’t ever do sit-ups or “crunches”. See: (www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2009-09/photos_abs_workout#slide=1) for a good set of back exercises.

Post-operative patients will be given back care instructions, exercises and a back brace to wear for the first six weeks. Many lumbar microdiscectomy patients are doing so well, they don’t need formal rehabilitation, so I just give them a booklet on back care and a set of illustrated exercises to do at home.

For patients who live too far away to come here, we prescribe rehab for them at a place close to their home or work.