By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Regen Experts powered by Pain Experts Avoid Back Surgery Dallas: Knowing When Surgery Is the Right Decision There are two common extremes in spine care: One pushes quickly toward surgery. The other tries to avoid it at all costs. Neither represents strong decision-making. Because the real question is not “surgery or no surgery.” The question is: “Is this the right decision for this patient, at this time, based on complete information?” To appropri

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Board-Certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology Regenexx-Affiliate Pain Experts Dallas–Plano Why Does My Lower Back Hurt All of a Sudden? If you've ever woken up wondering, "Why does my lower back hurt all of a sudden?"—you’re not alone. For high-performing professionals, back pain can strike seemingly out of nowhere. One day you're on the golf course or in a boardroom—confident, mobile, and focused—and the next, you’re icing your back between

By Deborah Westergaard, M.D. Pain Experts Severe back pain doesn’t just affect your body—it disrupts your entire life. A dashing gentleman I’ve known for years recently reminded me of this. He reached out, desperate for relief from debilitating back pain that was keeping him from doing the things he loved most: hiking, skiing, and embracing his active lifestyle. Having reached a stage in life where he finally had the time and resources to pursue his passions, this pain was w

When you’re faced with pain from a herniated disc, surgery might seem like the quickest solution. However, surgery is not always the best option, and in many cases, disc issues can resolve with the right conservative care. Before opting for surgery, it’s important to explore all your options and understand why non-surgical treatments may be the best choice for you. The Role of the Posterior Ligamentous Complex (PLC) The spine’s stability relies heavily on the posterior ligame