Cedar City’s Own Health Care Professional Shares Tips For Back Pain Relief

Several years ago, I woke up in the most intense pain I have ever experienced. It was back pain, and it was so bad that I went to the hospital. This is when the hospital was on the south side of Cedar City to the east of Main street.

After they were able to get the pain at a reasonable level, they scheduled a visit with me with a specialist up in Provo. I was pretty sure I was going to have back surgery. As it turns out, I didn't need the surgery (and I'm glad that was the case), but it's nice to know that should I have an experience similar to that now, I wouldn't need to go to Provo for treatment.

Back Surgery Should By Your Final Option

Patients in Southwest Utah facing persistent spine, back, or nerve pain may ultimately meet Mark Yoder, Physician Associate with Neurosurgical Services at Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital. In a recent interview on KSUB’s Big Picture Morning Show, Yoder explained that surgery is typically a last resort. “We try to encourage patients to explore other modalities of treatment first, including things like physical therapy or pain management, which usually involves some type of injections or even lifestyle changes,” Yoder said. “When those modalities fail, we are, as it were, a last resort.”

Yoder emphasized that the decision for surgery is made case by case. “When you’re to a point where you’ve exhausted all your other options and this pain or disability is infringing upon your quality of life, then it’s probably time to talk about surgery.”

One common condition Yoder treats is spinal stenosis, “the medical term or jargon that we use for tightness in the spine,” he explained. “It just means that something is pinching a nerve of some sort.”

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For those hoping to avoid surgery, Yoder recommended maintaining a strong core through activities like yoga, tai chi, or sports. “It’s much more important to focus on what is the activity that you enjoy, because if you enjoy it… you’re much more likely to stick with it long term.”

On the flip side, Yoder warned against smoking, inactivity, and excessive weight gain, which he said leads to more “wear and tear” on the spine.

Surgical practices have also evolved. “We’re becoming less likely to fuse a patient spine,” Yoder said, noting that fusions can lead to further breakdown in surrounding spinal levels. Instead, many surgeons now prefer decompression procedures that relieve nerve pressure without limiting mobility. Recovery varies from six weeks for decompression to 12 weeks for more complex fusions.

Yoder added that chiropractic care can complement medical treatments. “Chiropractors are a great resource as well. I thoroughly encourage them.”

Ultimately, Yoder encouraged patients to start with their primary care physician. “If those modalities haven’t helped, then they’re referred to us.”

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You can hear the entire interview we had with Mark Yoder in the podcast below.