Back Pain and Back Surgery Laced With A Strong Dose of Medical Humor

Back pain is one of the most common health problems adults face—but what happens when the patient is also a doctor? In this episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Robert (Bob) Ganz shares his 20-year journey with back pain – from subtle early symptoms to spine surgery. In this conversation, Bob and I were chatting as if we at a cocktail party, and he candidly reflects on his posture, physical therapy, and the challenges of choosing the right surgeon. Along the way, he reveals what it’s like to be both the patient and the physician—including the unforgettable moment when he ended up diagnosing his own surgeon.

Key Takeaways

·       Core strength matters. The muscles in your abdomen, back, hips, and pelvis all work together to stabilize your spine. Yoga or pilates are a great option – but if you already have back pain, start by consulting with a physical therapist.

·       Pain is personal. Everyone has a different threshold. Ultimately, only you can decide how much pain you’re willing to live with before pursuing surgery.

·       Crowdsource to finding the right surgeon. There are no central registries that show compare surgeons results. Word of mouth and personal recommendations are the best tools you have. Ask as many people as you can who their surgeon was and how their experience was.  You’ll often find the same one or two names rising to the top.

AND…

·       Don’t ignore reflux symptoms. Since Bob is a world expert on GERD, he shared a story where heartburn was mistaken for cardiac chest pain. If you have reflux symptoms or heartburn, don’t self-diagnose or rely on over-the-counter medications. See your doctor and get evaluated.

Links:

Here's Dr. Ganz' impressive bio: https://www.mngi.com/provider/robert-ganz-md-masgehttps://www.mngi.com/provider/robert-ganz-md-masge

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