Living With Chronic Low Back Pain

They tell me my diagnosis is pretty common, that millions of Americans suffer with low back pain. I've also heard that next to the common cold, missing work from low back pain is the biggest reason. With these two major known facts, I then wondered why getting the correct treatment for low back pain is so difficult.

After being diagnosed with a herniated disc and bone disc degenerative disease, I was immediately scheduled to see a surgeon. The surgeon suggested I have back surgery. To make a long story short, after a lot of prayer, a lot of thought, and after talking to many people who already have had surgery with my same diagnosis, I chose against surgery.

After deciding against surgery, I found I was immediately cast in a different light, by my doctor, and the medical community in general. I found my pain was then not taken seriously. I felt disbelieved about how much I hurt. I actually felt like a drug addict when asking for something for the pain. It appeared my physician felt back surgery was the end all cure all to my back & leg pain. To the contrary studies have shown, back surgery may actually cause more pain, complications, and even damage that requires more follow up surgery.

Knowing physicians and surgeons are already aware of these statistics, it really makes you wonder why they would put you at such risk. I wish some of these healthcare professionals would just once switch places with me for one day living with chronic low back pain. Im not saying all physicians are practicing like this, but seeking treatment for chronic low back pain in general seems to be an ever loosing search to find someone who truly understands your pain, and willing to help you in treating your pain. God bless those physicians who do.

Copyright 2005 Robert Gould