Alternative to Surgery- acupuncture- Newport Beach

Surgery Alternatives Newport Beach Acupuncture

Posted on February 10, 2016

Surgery Alternatives Newport Beach AcupunctureIf you are in severe pain, cannot control your bladder, bowels, and have weakness of the legs we recommend going to the emergency department (you may have cauda equina syndrome) and require immediate surgery.

Is an alternative to spine surgery possible?  Yes, maybe. How? Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc will evaluate if you are good candidate.

Is Acupuncture alone sufficient?  The acupuncturist will decide what will be necessary within their scope of practice which includes more than acupuncture.  You can read about the scope of practice of acupuncturists in California here.  Our scope and education differs compared to other states.

Can you have acupuncture as you wish? No, you will follow the doctors recommendations, if you do not follow recommendations you will be discharged from care.

Can I have acupuncture and whatever else I want? No, you cannot have chiropractic while seeing Dr. Pourhassani for an alternative to surgery. You may have physical therapy per recommendations, which may not include physical therapy.

Do you accept insurance? No, your insurance does not pay for an alternative to surgery.

Why is an alternative to surgery worth more? Spine surgery and orthopedic surgery may lead to lifelong pain, disability, reduced quality of life, and many other issues.

Do all acupuncturist provide alternatives to surgery? No.

How much does it cost?  Fees include consultations, re-evaluations, length of care, and services provided.  What is worth more your spine, or your car?  Is risking being in pain and disabled something you can afford?

What surgeries does Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, Lac has experience providing alternatives for? Spine, Knee, Shoulder, and surgeries to attempt to control urinary incontinence.

I have questions can I get answers beyond what is provided here for free? No.  We charge for the time we work.

I am an acupuncturist can I call and ask Dr. Pourhassani how she provides alternatives to surgery? No. However, you can refer your patients to us.

What about diagnosis?  Your MD’s may have provided you with a biomedical diagnosis.  Dr. Pourhassani is educated to diagnose, she will engage in the diagnostic process herself to confirm diagnosis.  Diagnostic errors are common.

I have had spine surgery and am still in pain, can you help? Only if you contact us after your first surgery, within 6-12 weeks after surgery.

What if I have had multiple spine surgeries and am still in pain? This is common, complicated and expensive to address.  Estimated monthly cost is $1000.

Unless your symptoms are severe and you require emergency surgery because you have lost control of your bladder, bowels, or have a tumor it may be safe to explore different treatment options than spine surgery under the care of licensed healthcare providers who have appropriate education.

What’s the deal with Spine Surgery?

“Results of spinal fusion surgery vary depending on the reason for the surgery and the type of surgery. Doctors can’t really be sure which patients are most likely to benefit from spinal surgery but they think that psychological factors play a role.”

“Overall, only about 62% of people are happy with the result of their spinal fusion surgery. People who are satisfied may not be entirely pain free but they have a decreased need for painkillers.”

“One of the drawbacks of this surgery is that fusing the lumbar spine will most likely reduce your ability to bend over. If your cervical spine is fused, you may have trouble turning your head to the side which can affect your ability to drive. Also, other levels of your spine above or below the one operated on may need similar surgery in the future. Disc replacement, as an alternative to fusion, may reduce that risk but this is yet to be proven.”

If you have non-specific low back pain, it’s possible this surgery won’t improve things.Having intense rehabilitation instead, plus cognitive behavioural therapy may well be just as effective as surgery. When surgery doesn’t relieve the pain, your surgeon may recommend having a second surgery. Some people don’t get relief despite repeated surgeries. It’s known as failed back surgery syndrome and is complex to treat.” (FBSS is a life-long pain conditions which has no cure)

Risks

“As with any medical procedure, there are some potential risks. The chance of complications occurring depends on the exact type of procedure you’re having and other factors including your general health and if you’re a smoker, whether you comply with your surgeon’s requirement to stop smoking for the surgery.

The main risks with spinal fusion surgery are:

  • tear of the dura (the protective sheath around the spinal nerves) which can cause a leak of spinal fluid (3–14%)
  • degeneration of adjacent spinal segments called adjacent segment pathology (approximately 3% per year risk)
  • failure of the bones to fuse properly (5–14%)
  • nerve injury (0.5–2.8%)
  • pulmonary embolus (2–5%).
  • infection (2–5%)
  • deep vein thrombosis (1.6–5%)
  • post-operative bleeding (1–15%).

Additional risks with cervical spinal fusion surgery are:

  • temporary difficulty swallowing
  • temporary loss of voice.

Additional risks with lumbar spinal fusion surgery are:

  • urinary retention
  • sexual dysfunction due to nerve damage (less than 1%)
  • injury to the spinal cord (causing paralysis)
  • injury to the small or large intestines
  • injury to the ureters (tubes that bring urine from your kidneys to your bladder)
  • temporary slowing of bowel movements.

Long-term complications include:

  • persistent pain at the site of the donor bone graft
  • problems due to altered spine mechanics
  • degenerative changes in adjacent vertebrae
  • wearing out or failure of the of the metal parts
  • lack of pain relief (or worsening of symptoms).

The above information is from : https://www.hcf.com.au/preparing-for-hospital/back-pain-treatments/spinal-fusion-surgery/results-vs-risks

If you are seriously seeking an alternative to spine surgery for pain.  Dr. Pourhassani, DACM, LAc. has developed a program which may reduce your pain, provide better quality of life and help you avoid spine surgery.  An evaluation and consultation is required to deem if you are a good candidate.

She can additionally be consulted if you wake up from spine surgery with more pain, nerve damage, or new areas of pain.  The purpose will be to reduce your avoid developing chronic, lifelong pain due to surgery.  If you wait 6 months until all else has failed, it will be too late.

This is an alternative to surgery program, not a pain management program.  Pain management for chronic pain only attempts to manage pain for the entire life of the patient.

Alternative to Surgery Acupuncture Newport Beach