August is Neurosurgery Awareness Month.
Back pain is very common, especially as people get older. Sometimes it’s caused by a pulled muscle and can be eased with rest, stretching or other home remedies. Other times, the problem may be more serious, requiring a trip to the doctor.
If you’ve been told you have a herniated disc, it’s understandable that you might be nervous about whether you’ll need surgery. But although anything involving the spine sounds serious, in many cases, surgery isn’t the first treatment option. Most people improve with less invasive treatments and never need an operation.