I feel it is important to write on spine surgery given all the publicity it has received in recent months. Two high profile sports figures have been in the news related to their issues with back surgery.

To begin with, a few weeks ago, we were told Tiger Woods would be having his 4th back surgery.  Let that sink in a moment…his 4th. Tell me, did the other 3 fail? Was there surgical malpractice? Did Tiger not have good rehab? I can guarantee each back surgeon felt they did an amazing job. Doubtful any malpractice or we certainly would have heard about it. And Tiger can certainly pay for the (best?) care possible from a rehab standpoint.

So why then is he on number 4. Simply put….because the root cause of the problem was NEVER ADDRESSED. The surgery may “fix” whatever normal variant some image of his back showed and they probably wrongly attributed it to his pain. See changes on images are normal (as one ages) AND they DO NOT relate well to pain (from a cause and effect standpoint).

The truth of the matter is, once a doctor starts to mess around with your anatomy, there is no telling the end result. Our bodies are amazing machines designed to do an untold number of activities. Start changing how joints move and function…some other body part is going to have to do more to make up for that. This is what happens with spinal surgery. “Fix” one problem only to create more. This is what Tiger Woods is dealing with now and for those who may remember Mario Lemieux struggled through similar issues playing hockey in the 90’s.

(YES) there are some good reasons for spine surgery, BUT that list is very small.

Now to issue #2 with spine surgery…post-operative side effects. See Warrior’s coach Steve Kerr. He underwent surgery after the 2015 season and ended up missed nearly half of the next season struggling to recover. He is no longer playing but was unable to serve his duties to stand, walk, and instruct his players. No running, jumping, banging bodies, just basically low level activity…and he could not even do that.  (How many reading now have it that easy with the type of work they do?)

And just recently, nearly 2 years following his back surgery, Steve Kerr is once again STRUGGLING. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, PAIN. To the point that he has been unable to coach again with his team competing in the playoffs. A couple of weeks ago, he came out publicly stating he wished he NEVER had back surgery in the 1st place. What was his solution?…Rehab…EVERY…DAY….OF…THE…WEEK.

But my pain is bad. I can hardly stand or walk let alone work. And my surgeon says he can “fix” the problem. Again, there are reasons for spine surgery BUT that list is small. Remember, the surgeon will tell you there is NO GUARANTEE. Why then have the procedure in the 1st place?

Many of these procedures are completely unnecessary and some doctors are finally admitting this…Not the ones still operating and making $$$$$$, but the ones who no longer operate and see the bigger picture.

This post is not to diminish those with back pain, those struggling to work/live due to pain pain, or the percentage of cases where surgery is actually necessary. What I want those reading to take away is to understand the most likely outcome of spine surgery. And that is another spine surgery. The greatest factor leading to spine surgery is PRIOR HISTORY OF SPINE SURGERY. Please do not be a part of this statistic. Seek the help of a rehab professional who will not be looking to image, inject or operate on your back.

If you are someone living with back pain, learn more about how to manage and overcome your pain by clicking the following link to get you FREE Resource on Back Pain. If someone you know or love has back pain, please share this with them as well.

It is time to no longer take back pain lying down, with pills or needles or a scalpel on the operating table.