@gnocchi Cervical spine issues are different than thoracic or lumbar spine issues. Consider that all impulses from the brain go through the neck before they get to the body. Real spine problems are evident on imaging and neurological testing. I can tell you as a spine surgery patient that my spine surgeon isn't doing this just for the money. He will get get paid the same if he operates or doesn't operate because that is how Mayo Clinic works.

Cervical spine compression can cause a lot of disability and even incontinence. It can put a person in a wheelchair. Doesn't it just make sense to diagnose the problem and make an educated choice? You are correct that lumbar spine surgery is more painful and more difficult to recover from and sometimes patients have residual pain. I agree, always choose your surgeon carefully to find someone who's opinion you trust. I have not had back surgery, but this is what my doctor told me. I am pain free since my cervical spine surgery.