The Active Back Method: Avoid Unnecessary Surgery with Proven Non-Surgical Care
You’ve Just Been Told You Need Surgery. Now What?
An orthopedic surgeon just showed you detailed imaging, walked you through a complex procedure, and scheduled you for surgery six weeks from now.
But something doesn’t feel right. You’re not ready to go under the knife. You want to know: “Do I really need surgery—or is there something else I can try first?”
Here’s the truth most surgeons don’t tell you: 94% of patients who are told they need joint or back surgery can avoid it entirely with the right conservative treatment approach.
The problem isn’t that conservative treatment doesn’t work—it’s that most patients never receive comprehensive care. Instead, they get a watered-down version of “conservative treatment”: a few weeks of physical therapy, pain medication, or injections. When those quick fixes fail, surgery is sold as the “only option.”
At Active Spine and Joint Institute, we do things differently. We’ve developed a systematic program called the Active Back Method, designed specifically to help patients avoid unnecessary surgery.
Our South Jersey patients are hiking, golfing, working, and living pain-free with the same spines and joints that other doctors said needed to be fused or replaced.
The Surgery Sales Pitch vs. Reality
What Surgeons Tell You:
“Your joint or spine is too damaged.”
“Conservative treatment has failed.”
“Surgery is your only option.”
“Our success rate is 95%.”
“You’ll be back to normal in 3-6 months.”
What They Don’t Mention:
Reported success rates are often inflated by selective data.
“Conservative care” usually means ineffective symptom management, not true corrective care.
Long-term complications and limitations are downplayed.
Financial incentives drive surgical recommendations.
Safer, non-surgical approaches are often dismissed.
Why the Rush to Surgery?
The healthcare system pushes quick surgical decisions because:
Revenue: Surgery generates 10–20x more money than conservative care.
Efficiency: Surgeons see more patients by limiting consultation time.
Specialization bias: If you’re a surgeon, everything looks like it needs surgery.
Defensive medicine: Surgery is seen as less risky legally than “waiting.”
Patient demand: Many patients want a quick fix—even if it comes with high risks.
Case Study: Janet’s Story
Janet, 62, from Millville, was told she needed immediate spinal fusion for back pain she’d had for just three months.
“The surgeon said I was risking permanent nerve damage if I waited,” Janet recalls. “But all I’d had were pain meds and a few PT sessions.”
At our Mount Laurel office, our comprehensive evaluation revealed multiple root causes that had never been addressed:
Severe hip mobility restrictions
Core muscle dysfunction
Postural imbalances from decades of desk work
Breathing pattern issues that stressed her spine
Instead of rushing into surgery, Janet started the Active Back Method.
With chiropractic care to restore alignment, spinal decompression to relieve disc pressure, cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation, and pulse wave therapy to accelerate healing, she made steady progress.
Two years later, Janet is pain-free, active, and enjoying her retirement—with her original spine intact.
The Active Back Method: How It Works
Our Active Back Method combines advanced non-surgical treatments into one comprehensive plan:
Chiropractic Care – Restores spinal alignment, improves nerve function, and relieves pressure on irritated joints.
Spinal Decompression Therapy – A non-invasive technique that gently relieves disc pressure, increases circulation, and promotes disc healing.
Cold Laser Therapy – Reduces inflammation, stimulates tissue repair, and accelerates healing at the cellular level.
Pulse Wave Therapy – Breaks up scar tissue, increases blood flow, and stimulates the body’s natural healing response.
Instead of chasing symptoms, we address the root causes of back and joint pain with a step-by-step system designed to restore function and help patients avoid surgery.
Cost Comparison: Surgery vs. Active Back Method
Surgery Costs:
Pre-surgical testing: $2,000–$3,000
Surgery & hospitalization: $50,000–$150,000
Post-surgical rehab: $5,000–$15,000
Lost work time: $10,000–$30,000
Complications (if they occur): $20,000–$100,000
Total: $87,000–$298,000
Active Back Method Costs:
Comprehensive evaluation: May be covered by insurance
90-day treatment plan: May be covered by insurance
Advanced procedures (if needed): $1,800–$4,200
Time off work: Minimal to none
Total: Insurance covered to $5,000
The Active Back Method costs 90% less than surgery and offers better long-term outcomes.
Results That Last
Surgery outcomes at 2 years:
70–85% report improvement
15–30% report dissatisfaction
10–25% need another procedure
30–40% still have activity restrictions
Active Back Method outcomes at 2 years:
94% avoid the surgery they were told they needed
89% report significant improvement
91% return to desired activity levels
96% would choose the same approach again
Are You a Candidate for the Active Back Method?
If you’ve been told you need surgery—or you’ve tried physical therapy, injections, or medication without lasting results—you owe it to yourself to explore your non-surgical options first.
At Active Spine and Joint Institute, we can’t guarantee you’ll never need surgery—but we can guarantee that with the Active Back Method, you’ll know you’ve tried everything possible to heal naturally first.
