In order for a surgery to go right the first time, you need an idea of when spine surgery is appropriate and at what level of complexity. There is not an operation that is effective for non-specific low back pain. For the most part then, spine surgery for lower back pain … Read More
It is well documented in several studies that the chance of ever returning to work dramatically decreases the longer a person is off from work. Dr. Gordon Waddell showed in the 1980’s that if a worker is off from work for a year, the chance of ever returning to work is … Read More
I was raised in an abusive household and living that life seemed normal because it was all that I knew. I was truly a victim, but I didn’t know it at the time. It was only through extensive counseling that I realized I was continuing to play that role. It is … Read More
Without an obvious source of pain, patients eventually feel that no one believes that they have pain. It is an endless source of frustration and you are a legitimate victim. But, inadvertently, you are placed in a powerful victim role. The Cry of Chronic Pain Not only did I believe … Read More
There are two pathways that put you into the role of a victim. “Perceived wrong” Truly victimized With the first pathway, an event occurs in which you perceive that you have been wronged. However, it is a perception that is based on your “story” of how the events “invaded your … Read More
Anxiety is the feeling generated by your body in response to a threat. When a situation causes a feeling of anxiety, we exert some type of control to diminish it. When you lose or don’t have enough control, your body secretes more stress hormones in an effort too regain it. … Read More
Playing the victim role is a universal part of the human experience. The word ‘victim’ does not sound very pleasing. However, it may be the one most important words affecting the quality of your life. This is particularly true in the context of chronic pain. All of us are limited … Read More
This story about how anger can affect the perception of pain involves one of my patients who had a complication from a revision spine fusion. Mike was a 52 year-old respiratory therapist who was very active–the man ran marathons. Years after an initial spine fusion at L5-S1 at age 30, … Read More
Anxiety is the basis for most of our behavior and ability to stay alive. We have many cues around us that govern our actions so as to avoid danger. The essence of this sequence is: 1) a circumstance causes anxiety 2) we control our actions or the situation to alleviate … Read More
I would like to define some terms. Stress is a vague term. I think that one of the most important principles that I have learned is the stress is not the problem. It is your reaction to it that causes unpleasantness and an energy drain. I am going to define … Read More