369. Non-surgical treatment might be effective for relieving acute neck or back pain
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world. Roughly 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. At any one time, about 30 percent of adults suffer from low back pain and 15 percent experience neck pain. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that two non-surgical treatment protocols led to a reduction in spine pain-related disability after 3 months. These treatment protocols – a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial intervention or an individualized postural therapy intervention – can be implemented by primary-care providers. These programs have the potential to not only decrease a very common cause of pain and loss of function afflicting millions of people, but they could also reduce healthcare costs compared to traditional injections and surgery as well.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
