2243 Ashmun St,

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

We’re Open

Today: 8 AM – 6 PM

Failed Back Surgery

Services > Failed Back Surgery

Back surgery is a big decision, and most people who go through it do so because they have been in real pain and nothing else has worked. So when the surgery is done and the pain is still there, or comes back months later, it is one of the more discouraging things a person can experience. You did everything right, you followed the recovery plan, and you still hurt. That outcome even has a medical name: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS.

Patients looking for help with failed back surgery often come to Dr. Richard after feeling like they have run out of places to turn. Chiropractic care after back surgery is something that requires care and a specific approach, but for many post-surgical patients, it is exactly what addresses the pain that surgery could not reach or that developed after the procedure itself.

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome does not mean the surgery was performed badly. It is a clinical term for persistent or recurring pain after one or more spinal surgeries, regardless of how well the procedure went technically. Research suggests that somewhere between 10 and 40 percent of patients who undergo lumbar spine surgery experience ongoing significant pain afterward. It is more common than most patients are told before going in.

The pain can feel similar to what you had before the surgery, completely different, or like a new set of problems on top of the original ones. Some patients experience burning, numbness, or weakness in the legs. Others have back pain that is just as bad as it ever was, or have developed new stiffness and limited movement around the surgical site. All of it is real, and all of it deserves proper evaluation rather than just more medication management.

Why Pain Continues After Surgery

There are several reasons back pain persists after surgery, and understanding which one applies to you is the first step toward finding something that actually helps:

● Scar tissue formation around the surgical site and nerve roots that can create its own source of irritation and restriction, independent of the original problem

● Adjacent segment stress, where the spine compensates around a fused or altered segment and the levels above or below begin to break down under the extra load

● The original pain source was not fully addressed, often because imaging showed a structural problem that looked like the cause but was not the only driver

● Altered joint mechanics throughout the lumbar spine and pelvis that develop after surgery as the surrounding muscles and joints adapt to the changed structure

● Muscle deconditioning and guarding that develops during the recovery period and persists long after the surgical site has healed

Chiropractic care cannot undo what surgery has changed, and Dr. Richard is honest about that. But several of the issues above, especially scar tissue restriction, adjacent segment mechanics, altered joint function, and muscle patterns, can be addressed safely with the right approach.

How Dr. Richard Works With Post-Surgical Patients

The evaluation for a post-surgical patient is different from a standard new patient visit. Dr. Richard reviews your surgical history, what was done and where, before examining how the spine is functioning now. He assesses the segments above and below the surgical level, the sacroiliac joints, hip function, and the muscular patterns that have developed since surgery. The areas directly adjacent to a fusion or surgical site are evaluated carefully and treated with gentler, more targeted techniques than would be used on a non-surgical spine.

Treatment does not involve forceful manipulation of the fused or operated segments. Instead, Dr. Richard uses mobilization and soft tissue work around the surgical area, chiropractic adjustments to the restricted segments above, below, and throughout the pelvis that are compensating for the altered mechanics, and specific rehabilitative work to address the muscular deconditioning that makes the surrounding spine vulnerable. Many patients find that this kind of targeted work provides relief that no amount of medication management has been able to match.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Dr. Richard takes the time to understand your full surgical history and current symptoms before making any treatment decisions. You will leave the first visit with a clear picture of what he found, what he believes can be helped, and what realistic improvement looks like for your specific situation. There is no pressure and no guesswork. Pricing is discussed upfront, most major insurance plans are accepted, and same-day appointments are typically available.

Back To Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center serves patients in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding Upper Peninsula region. If you have had back surgery and are still in pain, a thorough evaluation with Dr. Richard is a reasonable and often productive next step. Call (906) 442-4325 to get scheduled.

Begin Your Recovery Journey!

Pain rarely fixes itself. If you are tired of managing flare ups or adjusting your routine around discomfort, it may be time for a clearer plan. We are here to evaluate what is really happening and guide you toward steady, lasting improvement.