MSNBC reports on the statistics of back surgery which aren't all that favorable: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39658423/ns/health-pain_center

1. 600,000 Americans choose back surgery
2. 1450 Ohio Work Comp back pain patients with similar diagnoses:
   • 1/2 had surgery with fusion - At 2 years, 26% returned to work...plus a 41% increase in pain killer use.
   • 1/2 did not have surgery - At 2 years, 67% returned to work.
3. 2007 Agency for Health Care Policy and Reform reports
   • 27 million Americans with back problems
   • $30.3 million spent on back pain.
   • PT, pain management, chiropractic, spine surgeries (which makes up the most)
4. complicated spine surgeries with fusion - 8 times increase in 15 years
5. "Even when the surgery is a success, it rarely dispels 100 percent of back pain."

Conservative options like chiropractic, particularly Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression, is ready to help patients after surgery who still suffer, but is most viable for those patients before surgery who need pain relief.