• About Us
  • Centers of Excellence
  • Select Your Doctor
  • Tour The Clinic
  • Outreach Clinic Locations
  • Testimonials
  • Our Latest News
  • Information for Physicians
  • Disclosure
• Our Physicians
  • Spine Surgeons
    • Robert Q. Ingraham, M.D.
    • Stuart G. Rice, M.D.
    • Tim J. Watt, M.D.
  • Non-Surgical Care
    • Robert MacLachlan, M.D.
  • Physician Assistants
• Spine Problems
  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Sciatica Pain
  • Bone Spur
  • Degenerative Disc
  • Herniated Disc
  • Kyphosis
  • Spinal Tumor
  • Spondylolysis
  • Stenosis
  • • X Stop
• Treatment
  • Home Therapy
  • Injection Therapy
  • Nonsurgical Care
  • Physical Therapy
    • PROMOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY
  • PMR Physicians
  • Post Surgical Care
  • Surgical Options
    • Minimally Invasive
• Educational Resources
  • Symptoms Chart
  • Anatomy Library
  • Exercise Library
  • • Relieving Exercises
    • Strengthening Exercises
    • Neck Exercises
    • Advanced Exercises
  • Prevention
  • Proper Lifting
  • Pain Medication
• On-line Forms
• Make an Appointment
• Contact Us
  • Administration
  • Referrals
  • Second Opinion
  • Patient Rights
•  

Treatment

In most cases, surgery is used as a last resort. In 95% of cases, spine surgery can be delayed without complications. The exceptions are when a patient has loss of control of the bowel or bladder, or when their is weakness in a leg or arm that is getting worse. Also, if the back injury involves a spinal fracture, from a serious injury in a car crash or fall, emergency surgery may be required immediately.

Physical therapy is the primary method used to relieve back pain. Specific stretches or exercises are designed to help allievate pain or to pull herniations back into place. See the "Anatomy Library" page for a more detailed description of how exercise can relieve back pain.

Spine Treatment Information

Black Hills Neurosurgery & Spine, formerly known as The Spine Center at Rapid City, has developed a comprehensive guide to spine treatment information. This guide is available online and in booklet form. Contact us to request a copy of this booklet.

Making choices about your health can be difficult. The physicians at our Neurosurgery & Spine Center have designed this guide to help you make educated decisions about your health. Carefully read the material provided and visit with our staff regarding your questions or concerns. In this guide, you will find information on the causes of back pain and treatment options that are available, as well as a glossary of terms to explain complex subjects of spine care.