Surgery vs. Chiropractic: The Shocking Results Bottom Line: Surgery is considered a last resort for the treatment of neck and back problems. The risks are significant, the costs are high, and the recovery is long and painful. If you haven't found relief with physical therapy or medications for your back pain- you may think surgery is next on the list. Well, new research has shown that chiropractic care should be considered first- and the results may surprise you. Why it Matters: It's well known