Back Surgery vs Physical Therapy for Herniated Disk

I don't like back surgery, actually I hate back surgery. I don't use that word often, but I get so irritated with the amount of back surgeries that happen. There was an article that I remember that stated that only 1% of back pain surgeries are actually necessary. 1% Did you get that? That's frightening to me. Why are so many people having surgery, and if surgery isn't the answer, what is?

Let me cover some concrete data first. In an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. James Weinstein, a researcher at Dartmouth College and recipient of the Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine in 2006 watched 1,000 people over two years who ever had surgery or chose physical therapy. Over the 2 years time they found only a slight improvement in those who opted for the surgery for those who did not have it.

"In back surgery for this particular condition, there's actually a choice," said
lead author Dr. James Weinstein of Dartmouth Medical School. "If you don't
want the risk of surgery, you can do watchful waiting" and still get well.

I really like this surgeon. He seems to have a good handle on the benefits of surgery, but also the limitations of it. I know that surgery is sometimes crucial, but it's been abused and often just ends up hurting the patient in the long run, physically and emotionally. I cannot imagine going under the knife with the chance that I could wake up paralyzed.

Dr, Weinstein did a Q&A recently about different back pain issues that covers degenerative disks, back pain and jogging, and even the size of kids backpacks. Scroll down a little bit on the article and you can view it. It's a great read!

I'm a big believer in physical therapy. I saw my dad suffer for years after a botched surgery on a herniated disk, and the surgery should have never been performed. For 10 years my dad could not live a normal life, and as his, I couldn't have a normal dad. I know surgeries can change a life for the better as well, but I can't help but let out a big sigh of relief after seeing a surgeon state that there is little benefit after two years. I hope everyone wakes up and realizes there are other options besides surgery. You'd be amazed at how much a little physical therapy could do for you.