People dealing with chronic back pain may benefit from surgery to correct the underlying problem, but it’s natural to want to avoid surgery if possible. Some individuals go through life trying to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter medication, but this can reduce their quality of life. When chronic pain has led to a person feeling depressed and anxious most of the time, it’s a good idea to consult with an Orthopedic Surgeon in Pensacola FL. Having an operation can be scary, but it also can offer a new lease on life when the pain is greatly reduced or even eliminated.
The relationship between depression and chronic back pain is well-established by research. People dealing with this condition tend to feel they have a lack of control. They cannot fix the situation they find themselves in, and often, they have no idea when the pain will occur. This can cause them to become increasingly sedentary and to avoid going anywhere that would require walking, standing or even sitting for any length of time. They might not even be able to sit through a movie or a church service without having to get up and relieve pressure on the spine.
The depression associated with this type of discomfort is not minor or fleeting. It tends to be moderate or major depression that has a serious negative effect on the person’s life. Consulting an Orthopedic Surgeon in Pensacola FL can be a significant step toward the improvements that are necessary for all-around physical and emotional wellness. Being sedentary can cause weight gain. The combination of excess weight and lack of exercise is hard on the cardiovascular system and can result in Type 2 diabetes. Depression further takes away the individual’s enjoyment of life.
At a facility such as Panhandle Orthopaedics, the doctors may begin by recommending conservative strategies the patient has not yet tried. Regular physical therapy sessions may help. If this is not successful, the physicians form another plan of action that may include back surgery. An example would be decompression surgery, which involves removing a small portion of bone to ease pressure on the nerves.
