Physicians: Spine Surgery Doesn't Work; Workers Need Mindfulness

ORLANDO, Florida — Instead of a paying for a $100,000 spinal fusion operation that has little chance of succeeding, insurers should instead send an injured worker to a course in mindfulness or offer cognitive behavior therapy, two panels of nationally and regionally known doctors said Monday. “That’s absolutely what should happen,” said Dr. Christopher Brigham. “The workers’ compensation system is not working the way it should. It’s not paying for outcomes that help people regain their lives like it should be.” Brigham may be best kno...