Empowered Beyond Pain

Surgery, the Ultimate Placebo, with surgeon Prof. Ian Harris for back pain fact 10

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Episode notes

Surgery is often a consideration for many people with back pain, it's the top of the medical triangle, and many believe it will fix them. But Orthopaedic Surgeon, Scientist and Author, Professor Ian Harris, see's it differently. In this episode, he talks to Prof. Peter O'Sullivan, Dr JP Caneiro and Kevin Wernli about all things surgery, placebo, research and pain. We also hear the story of Steve, a 26year old who had disabling back pain for 6 years, was on strong opioids, had multiple surgeries including a spinal fusion, but was still battling. Fortunately, he found his way onto a study researching back pain that Kevin Wernli completed as part of his PhD.

Key things discussed:
- The effectiveness (or not) of spinal surgery.
- Why there are such differences in outcomes in workers compensation patients.
- Is pain all in your head?
- Alarming rates of increasing surgery rates in the private sector vs public sector, and why that might be.
- A call for better evidence (and who should fund it!).
- The key question patients NEED to ask their healthcare professionals.

Show notes available at https://www.bodylogic.physio/podcast

A huge thanks to ABC and ABC 730 for granting us permission to use their content for educational purposes.

Twitter handles @EBPPodcast @PeteOSullivanPT @JPCaneiro @KWernliPhysio
*Peter O’Sullivan and JP Caneiro were awarded specialisation by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2005 and 2013 respectively. Theme music by Fervun and Cash. For educational purposes only. Produced by Kevin Wernli
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