| 1. "Imaging studies (MRI, CT, CAT Scan, etc.) | | | | doctors who operated on the wrong side. Patients at |
| overestimate the problem, resulting in an increased | | | | several hospitals decided to use magic markers to let |
| number of unnecessary surgeries, yet thousands of | | | | the doctor know where to do their job. Doctors have |
| MD's and DO's don't know this. Surgery is the last | | | | had to research a new disorder called FBSS, short for |
| resort". | | | | Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. |
| 2. "90% of MRI's read as abnormal." | | | | 9. Poor posture and muscle imbalances can be a |
| 3. "Early and frequent use of imaging is discouraged | | | | major leading cause of dysfunction in the spine, |
| because disc abnormalities are common and often | | | | ultimately leading to pain. |
| resorb within 6 months (especially with proper spinal | | | | 10. Most muscle imbalances cannot be corrected by |
| care). Use of such tests leads to overdiagnosis, | | | | chiropractic, massage, or acupuncture alone. |
| dependence on medical care, and further unnecessary | | | | 11. Corrective exercise, lifestyle changes, stretching, |
| testing." | | | | nutrition, with the above therapies produces a |
| 4. "There is no evidence from clinical trials or cohort | | | | synergistic effect and is therefore the most logical |
| studies that surgery is effective for patients with low | | | | choice of treatment. |
| back pain. Patients with suspected herniated discs | | | | References: |
| should be treated non-surgically for at least a month. | | | | 1. Dr. Kuritzky, MD, Physicians and Sports Medicine |
| Multiple surgical interventions are rarely helpful." | | | | 1997 |
| 5. "The cost of lumbar fusion is $62,300." | | | | 2. Patient Care, April 1997 |
| 6. "Surgery helpful in only 1 out of 100 low back pain | | | | 3. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2001 |
| cases." | | | | 4. New England Journal of Medicine, 2001 |
| 7. "67% low back surgeries worse after surgery, 2/3 | | | | 5. Arch. Of Physical Medicine, Rehab, 1999 |
| of patients in more pain." | | | | 6. American Health Care Policy Research Guidelines |
| 8. The show 20/20 and 60 Minutes both ran specials | | | | (AHCPR), Bigos, MD |
| on the number of medical errors in the U.S., including | | | | 7. |