Spinal Surgery
About Spinal Surgery
Spinal surgery is a broad category of procedures which are most often delivered to treat debilitating spinal pain, herniated disks and/or pinched nerves. Historically spinal surgeries have been highly invasive, costly (approx. $50,000) and yielded less than optimal results. Such techniques include fusion (with plates and screws or bone), removal of portions of a spinal bone (laminectomy), and removal of all or part of a spinal disk (either surgically or with a chemical agent). A syndrome titled “failed low back surgery syndrome” is well acknowledged in scientific literature and it is said 40% of lumbar spinal surgery recipients fail to obtain long-term relief of symptoms. Successful outcome defined as patient satisfaction and sustained relief of at least 50% of pain for 2 years was recorded in only 34% of patients. Some newer surgical techniques (laparoscopy, intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty, etc) are far less costly and far less invasive, and are having similar results in pain reduction for patients. The problem inherent of spinal surgery is that it does not address the underlying dysfunction (such as subluxation) which caused the problem to begin with.
Gonstead Chiropractic and Spinal Surgery
In its clinical practice guidelines, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHPCR) recommends treating the pain of most acute low back problems with spinal manipulation. It is best to begin with conservative approaches and only progress to more invasive approaches as necessary. Scientists surveyed 100 individuals with low back pain who underwent chiropractic care. Overall, patients experienced a 50% reduction in low back and leg pain within 16 days. Gonstead chiropractors are experts with difficult cases due to the specificity and safety of the adjustment they deliver. For those who have had spinal surgery without success, chiropractic has shown to have good results. 4% of patients presenting to a chiropractor have had one or more spinal surgeries. Several examples in the literature show positive results with chiropractic and patients with failed spinal surgeries.
Our Office
About the Team
At Holistic Health Solutions, we believe that at the root of every symptom there lies a cause. We aim not only to bring rapid relief, but understand that only treatments that address the actual cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression. Our unique approach assesses biomechanics, lifestyle, genetics and laboratory testing to custom tailor a treatment plan for optimized recovery.
About The Team
At Holistic Health Solutions, we believe that at the root of every symptom there lies a cause. We aim not only to bring rapid relief, but understand that only treatments that address the actual cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression. Our unique approach assesses biomechanics, lifestyle, genetics and laboratory testing to custom tailor a treatment plan for optimized recovery.
Meet Dr. Matt French
Upon graduating from graduate school, Dr. Matt French headed west and began practice in 1998 in the valley. It was after sustaining a neck fracture in a diving accident at the age of 20 that he first developed an interest in health care as a profession. His own experiences with pain and recovery gives him true understanding as to what his patients endure. In his over 20 years of practice, Dr. French has seen many thousands of patients including doctors, surgeons, celebrities and professional athletes. As a sought out health consultant he has appeared on FOX 10, Good Morning Arizona, 12 News NBC, ABC15, CBS 5 and talk radio. Often described as “the man with the magic hands”, Dr. French has an uncanny ability to pinpoint and relieve pain.
He and wife, Megan, have 2 daughters. Both he and his wife are avid cyclists and have both been Arizona state champions. Dr. French has played drums professionally, and regularly plays for his church. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching both Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology to pre-med students.
Meet Dr. Matt French
Upon graduating from graduate school, Dr. Matt French headed west and began practice in 1998 in the valley. It was after sustaining a neck fracture in a diving accident at the age of 20 that he first developed an interest in health care as a profession. His own experiences with pain and recovery gives him true understanding as to what his patients endure. In his over 20 years of practice, Dr. French has seen many thousands of patients including doctors, surgeons, celebrities and professional athletes. As a sought out health consultant he has appeared on FOX 10, Good Morning Arizona, 12 News NBC, ABC15, CBS 5 and talk radio. Often described as “the man with the magic hands”, Dr. French has an uncanny ability to pinpoint and relieve pain.
He and wife, Megan, have 2 daughters. Both he and his wife are avid cyclists and have both been Arizona state champions. Dr. French has played drums professionally, and regularly plays for his church. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching both Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology to pre-med students.
