tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263167.post6543798011973103645..comments2024-03-28T15:17:43.056-04:00Comments on Stayin' Alive: A slightly tough questionCervanteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11302076828795198187noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9263167.post-28803684035830134282010-11-23T15:28:23.692-05:002010-11-23T15:28:23.692-05:00spinal surgery may be a placebo, but it is one tha...spinal surgery may be a placebo, but it is one that carries significant downsides and risks -- everyone risks infection and complications from anesthesia and/or post-op meds, all surgical patients need time off, and many patients end up worse off. [i'm not totally sure about that last point in relation to this specific surgery.]<br /><br />i agree with your conclusion about real doctors being more engaged and responsive, obviously.<br /><br />but i also believe that people have chronic pain, and people have depression, and not enough is known about these things. they are real enough to the people experiencing them, but as you say, hard to objectively measure. it is discouraging in the extreme for a patient to hear things like "it's all in your head," or "just think about happy things," or "just get more exercise."kathy a.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14479337952651746193noreply@blogger.com