10 May How to know if Spine Surgery will help my pain?

Over the years at Integrative Pain Care we have seen 1000’s of patients considering back or neck surgery for their pain. Many have had success, and unfortunately others have struggled.

A recent article suggested that people with chronic pain syndromes such as Fibromyalgia (a syndrome of unclear cause, resulting in moderate-severe chronic pain of the muscles, joints, and beyond), are more likely to have chronic spine related pain following surgery.

Generally speaking, spine surgery does not traditionally help with back or neck pain. It can be very helpful at relieving leg or arm pain. Particular if the nerve fibers of the spine are being pinched and/or damaged, and when more conservative treatments such as physical therapy and injection therapy have failed.

Instability of the spine can also be an indication for spine surgery, along with certain types of spinal cancers.