Beyond Conservative Treatment: Minimally Invasive Spine Solutions for Chicago and Northwest Indiana

We’ve all been there. You know the feeling of pain in your back after a day helping someone move, cleaning out the garage, or tossing the kids around on the playground. While occasional back pain is part of life, when pain begins to control it, it’s time to take action. 

Residents of Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metro area turn to Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy for the very latest in spine care tools and techniques. A renowned spine surgeon, Dr. Shukairy has the skills and expertise needed to address complex issues.

Many people avoid seeking help for fear that surgery will be their only option. While spine surgery is sometimes the best choice, there are many other treatments to consider. 

So, let’s take a look at some options, as well as some things you might have already tried to relieve ongoing back pain. 

What is “conservative treatment?”

The term “conservative” is widely used. In terms of medical care, conservative treatment usually refers to options that have a low risk of negative effects. People also use conservative to discuss treatments that conserve, or protect, your body’s tissues. 

As you can see, conservative treatments can cover a wide range of options. Let’s look into some examples.

Self-care treatment is often where most people begin when they’re trying to address back pain. 

This includes things like using heat or cold, periods of rest, stretching, and making changes to everyday routines to avoid placing undue strain on your back. Over-the-counter pain medication is also part of self-care. 

The next level of conservative treatment includes options like physical therapy. This involves working with a trained physical therapist to learn exercises and stretches that can strengthen the muscles that support your spine and increase flexibility. 

Manual spine decompression is another conservative treatment approach. Some practitioners use their hands to apply pressure to the back in an effort to relieve compression that’s placing pressure on nerves within your spine. 

Another approach uses two harnesses and a computer-controlled device to gently stretch the spine in an effort to relieve compression. 

There are also spine injections that can help with back pain. They work by delivering anti-inflammatory and pain medication directly to the areas of the back that are causing pain. Injections can offer short-term relief, but they don’t address the core cause of spine pain. 

What should I do if conservative treatment fails?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to take a conservative approach to treating back pain. After all, very few people relish the thought of any type of surgery. 

That said, there are cases where it is simply impossible to resolve spine issues without surgical intervention. But today’s surgical techniques are way beyond what was available in recent years. 

Minimally invasive spine surgery is now able to correct a wide range of spine issues using very small incisions and slim surgical tools. This approach minimizes damage to surrounding tissues, creates less scarring, and often means less time under anesthesia. 

Recovery times are also much swifter with minimally invasive spine surgery as compared to the open surgeries done in previous decades. Most people are surprised how quickly they are back on their feet and back to normal routines. 

It’s normal to have questions when considering treatment options for back pain. 

Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy understands the importance of patient education and enjoys meeting with people to discuss the full range of available treatment options, including what to expect from conservative treatments. 

If you’d like to learn more, booking a consultation with Dr. Shukairy is the best place to begin. We offer online scheduling, or you’re always welcome to call the office to find an appointment at one of our offices in Highland, Crown Point, Hobart, or Merrillville, Indiana. 

We’re proud to serve all of northwest Indiana as well as the greater Chicago Region.