New research suggests that there are as many as 1.5 billion people globally that deal with some form of chronic pain. There are over 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 who experience back pain, the leading cause of disability in workers under 45. An additional 45% of workers report chronic neck pain. Thanks to new innovations in medicine, there is no reason why anyone should have to live with the pain when treatment and spine surgery technology is able to give patients their mobility back.

Knowing Your Pain
The National Institute of Health Statistics found that the four most common types of pain are: lower back pain (27%), migraine pain (15%), neck pain (15%), and facial pain (4%). By determining not only the location, but the nature of the pain, you can help better determine what expert you ought to see. Since experts suggest that up to 80% of people will experience some kind of back issues, spinal surgeons are refining new and innovative treatment options that reduce pain while ensuring a fast recovery.

Finding Relief
There was as many as 19 million Americans who sought out medical treatment for their lower back pain as of 2007. Typically, medical experts may recommend a system of exercises combined with other forms of physical therapy to help stretch the patient’s back. Doctors also rely on different medications to help treat chronic pain, such as acetaminophen, oral steroids, narcotics, muscle relaxants, and even anti-depressants. If the doctor determines that spine surgery technology is the route to go, there are minimally invasive options depending on the nature of your pain. In these surgeries, a small “keyhole’ incision that measures less than an inch is used to ensure a full recovery in as little as three days. Patients are quickly able to return to their lives shortly after their back or neck surgery. Don’t let your pain affect how you live: call a medical professional and get your life back.