There's a place for surgery, but if you ask a surgeon the answer to the problem is more likely to be surgery. People know what they're trained in, and they approach problems based on their training and tools... not to mention the monetary incentive. If you ask a social worker and a cop how to deal with drug addiction you'll likely get different answers.

I've had great success with seeing a chiropractor and a yoga instructor about my back, and when I stay with my exercises it's been under control. Again, I'm not saying surgery isn't needed in some cases, but I'm saying all alternatives (including weight loss if that's a factor) should be exhausted first. I know people who've had back surgery who regretted the decision.

Here's another example: My son has had eczema on his finger, and the doctor gave him topical cortisone which helped the symptoms but not the cause. He used it as directed but it kept returning. It was going on about a year, and my wife found out on the Internet that eczema often stems from a fungus. Some people have success treating it with raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, both oral (a couple of tablespoons) and topical as a soak twice daily. This "folk remedy" is explained that the acid creates an environment that is less hospitable to the fungus so it's attacking the cause. Bottom line, his eczema cleared up within about 10 days and there are no side effects to using apple cider vinegar. No medical bills either. (Supposed to be good for athletes foot too.)