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Millions of people have back pain. In fact, The National Pain Foundation, reports low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

To feel better, many people look to laser spine surgery, a technique some say can provide immediate relief – even when other options have failed. The advertisements are so convincing that it’s natural to wonder: Does laser spine surgery work? Here, we clear up the myths.

3 Laser Spine Surgery Myths

Myth 1: Laser Spine Surgery is Effective

Commercials for laser spine surgery often promise significant relief with less risk of complications and shorter recovery times. The truth is that it has not been proven what can actually be accomplished with a laser. Laser surgery is not the same as minimally invasive back surgery, which does produce results. And, pain does not show up on X-rays or MRIs. This means that even if pain goes away after laser spine surgery, it can be hard to prove whether the surgery cured the pain, or the pain just went away on its own.

Myth 2: Laser Spine Surgery is Medically Recognized

Another truth is that laser spine surgery is not readily accepted in the medical community. At meetings of the North American Spine Society and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the topic of laser spine surgery is never on the agenda. Professionals are not talking about it because it is simply not recognized as a valid treatment.

 Myth 3: Laser Spine Surgery is Affordable

Finally, many advertisements for laser spine surgery do not mention that the procedures can be very costly. Because the technology is not clinically accepted and has not been proven, laser spine surgery is typically not covered by health insurance. As a result, procedures have been known to add up to $20,000 to $35,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

 If You Have Back Pain…

Laser spine surgery may seem like a quick fix. But in reality, the best cure for back pain is to first get the right diagnosis. It should be from a quality healthcare professional with experience in back health. This spine specialist can talk to you about effective, recognized treatment options that can eliminate your back pain, without eliminating your budget.

The professionals at Panorama Orthopedics have helped thousands of patients overcome back pain. To make an appointment, contact us.