Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo

The biggest gaps, I think, is where patients initiate care.

So I think a lot of patients tend to either stay home and try to get by on their own and deal with pain without really seeing anyone professionally.

Some patients will start with the chiropractor and

maybe talk to their personal trainer in the gym before coming in for evaluation with a doctor.

So I think that's really where the gap begins.

I think if they begin by seeing a physician, then we can do proper diagnostics and give them a plan and get them going a little more efficiently.

So I think the more they see us, the professionals, the doctors, either primary care doctor or spine specialist, the quicker they can get to the end point when it comes to treatment of their back pain.

Absolutely.

It's definitely debilitating.

Some people have a fear, some people, especially when it comes to seeing a spine surgeon.

A lot of patients are fearful that coming to see us means that the only solution that we'll offer is something surgical.

And it's actually quite the contrary.

I think no one understands the spine better than the spine surgeon because we know how it looks from the very inception.

to something surgical.

So we kind of have the bigger picture worldview where we can get patients into the category of treatment that will get them better most efficiently.

So my preference is for people to see me once they have pain, and then I can get the diagnostics and give them an idea of what's going on and what to expect.

And patients who put their trust in me tend to have

very good outcomes.

So I think that's really the best way to go.

Absolutely.