Back pain, specifically lower back pain, is one of the number one medical issues faced by adults in the United States, and the world today. In 2020, an estimated 619 million people globally were affected by lower back pain, with projections indicating an increase to 843 million by 2050 due to population growth and aging. Lower back pain is consistently ranked as the single leading cause of disability worldwide. At MDView, we see a significant volume of spinal imaging exams being requested for a second opinion, with nearly all demonstrating degenerative and injury related issues, such as spinal fractures and ruptured disks. Surgical intervention is often recommended to suffering patients, but studies have shown that up to 50% of Lumbar Spine Surgeries are medically unnecessary, with other studies citing over 200,000 unnecessary back surgeries were performed on Medicare beneficiaries between 2019 and 2021, costing an estimated $2 billion.
MDView sat with Jake Anderson, D.C. to learn more about ways people with chronic back pain caused by degenerative disease and injuries may be able to find relief without surgical intervention. Dr. Jake Anderson specializes in mechanical spine pain, particularly low back pain, disc
herniations, and sciatica. He offers 1:1 online rehab
coaching programs that help individuals avoid surgery by resolving their
symptoms through movement-based strategies. In his practice and online programs, he guides people through customized
plans to improve mobility, reduce pain, and regain function without relying on
long-term passive treatments. Dr. Anderson's mission is to give individuals the tools and
confidence to take back control of their lives.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in mechanical spine pain?
My journey into chiropractic started after a sports injury I had in grade school. That experience opened my eyes to how powerful hands on care and movement based treatment could be not just for pain relief, but for truly getting back to doing what you love. As I progressed through my chiropractic education and early career, I became fascinated by how movement influences pain, especially in the spine. I noticed that many people with back and neck pain were being told their only options were rest, injections, or surgery. I dove deep into mechanical assessment and movement based care, and the more I learned, the more I saw how effective simple, targeted movement strategies could be in resolving pain, restoring function, and preventing chronic issues. Specializing in mechanical spine pain has allowed me to help people take control of their symptoms and avoid unnecessary medications or invasive procedures.
What exactly is mechanical spine pain, and how does it differ from other types of back issues?
Mechanical spine pain is pain that originates from structures like discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, or nerves. The key thing is that mechanical pain is influenced by movements, positions, or loads placed on the spine. The biggest characteristic being that the pain changes - it is not constant, and you can find movements that produce or decrease the symptoms. Mechanical spine pain accounts for 90+% of cases. It is the most common, rarely seriously concerning, and most fixable without drugs or surgery.
How do your 1:1 online rehab coaching programs work, and who are they best suited for?
My online rehab coaching plans are personalized, movement-based programs to help people recover from pain. These are 1:1 custom rehab plans tailored to each
individual’s symptoms, goals, and daily life. The programs are delivered on an app with videos and instructions for the daily plan. We do weekly check-ins to progress towards each person’s goals with messaging available for daily adjustments to the plan. I primarily focus on helping people with low back pain, sciatica, disc issues, and joint problems. It’s best designed for people 30-55 years old that are frustrated with temporary fixes like pain meds, massage, TENS units, or other passive therapies.
These are people that want a clear, step-by-step plan to get stronger and more mobile and need support and accountability from someone who actually understands how to conservatively manage spine and joint pain.
What are the most common misconceptions people have about disc herniations and sciatica?
The most common misconception is that many think these issues are lifelong injuries that set you up for a lifetime of suffering and dysfunction. Reality is that the vast majority of disc herniations and sciatica issues are highly recoverable without surgery.
Many people come to MDView for second opinions on spinal MRIs, how do you help bridge the gap between imaging and treatment?
Imaging is certainly a piece of the puzzle. It should primarily be used to rule out serious or life-threatening issues. The imaging should be correlated to a thorough physical exam to fully understand each individual's situation and then recommendations should be made after that.
Why isn’t surgery always the best answer for back pain or disc issues?
The majority of people don’t need surgery to recover. In fact, a 2020 study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8351061/) showed that 97% of people can be
successfully managed non-operatively. Surgery, like any intervention, comes with risks. It is not a magic bullet as many people still have pain post-surgery or need follow up surgeries years later.
What signs suggest someone might benefit from a movement-based rehab approach rather than surgery?
If symptoms change intensity with different movements, positions, or loads placed on on the spine that is the biggest sign that you can benefit from a movement based rehab plan. The key thing is that the symptoms are changing and not constant.
How can patients feel confident in managing their pain without relying on long-term passive treatments?
Passive therapies are popular because they are easy. You don’t actually have to work or do anything and they can often provide some temporary relief. At the end of the day there is no magic bullet or magic machine that is going to make you better. Education and exercise remain the top 2 ways to treat and manage musculoskeletal pain. The beauty of active treatments like movement based therapies is it makes the patient involved, accountable, and gives them tools to take control of their pain.
What role does imaging play in your treatment planning?
Imaging is a piece of the puzzle that needs to be compared and correlated to the actual patient. There is a saying “treat the patient, not the image.” You cannot base everything off of an image alone because there are many findings that may not correlate or will provide a nocebic effect for the patient and they may begin to identify themselves with their diagnoses. We often use imaging the most when patients don’t respond to conservative care as expected or if there are “red flag” signs or symptoms in their history/exam.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone scared about what their MRI results mean?
Don’t let your MRI scare you. I know the words are complicated and sound bad, but that is just because the radiologists have to report on anything they see. MRIs often show disc bulges, degeneration, or arthritis, but these findings are incredibly common, even in people with no pain at all. Think of it like rust on a car or gray hairs of the spine. What matters most is how you move, feel, and function, not just what the image shows. If your pain changes with movement, that’s a good sign. It means your body still has the ability to heal and adapt, regardless of what the MRI says.
To connect with Dr. Anderson and learn more about his 1:1 online coaching program, visit https://www.instagram.com/dr.jakeanderson/
To get a second opinion from a radiologist who is an expert in spinal imaging, get at https://app.mdview.com to upload your exam, complete a questionnaire to provide the expert radiologist with insight on your condition and concerns, select from the eligible experts for your exact exam, and get peace of mind today. Don't have your exam to upload? MDView can get it for you at not cost, directly from the facility. Just click the Have MDView Get My Exam button on the homepage of your MDView account.