Orna Banai Overcomes Fear to Undergo Spinal Surgery After Failed Alternative Treatments
Israeli actress Orna Banai shared her painful experience with severe neck and upper back pain that worsened over a year, leading to neurological symptoms such as weak grip, limb tingling, and altered walking. Despite trying various complementary medicine treatments including osteopathy, chiropractic, and massage therapy, her condition deteriorated. She also underwent physical therapy and epidural injections without relief. Multiple spine specialists recommended surgery, but Banai was terrified of the procedure and the recovery period.
Encouraged by Yossi Arbelich, founder of the medical advisory organization "Lema'anchem," Banai finally agreed to cervical spinal surgery to treat spinal stenosis. The operation, performed by senior neurosurgeon Dr. Nahshon Kanuler at Sheba Medical Center, successfully restored her quality of life and full function. Banai expressed regret over the time, money, and energy wasted on ineffective alternative treatments and fear.
Banai recounted her recovery on the TV program "Evening with Shay Stern" on Kan 11, humorously describing the surgery as a complete rebuild of her spine and her plans for a post-recovery trip. Her case highlights the risks of delaying conventional medical care in favor of unregulated complementary therapies.
Neurosurgeon Dr. David Plaznshtein from Beilinson Hospital warned that seeking alternative treatments can delay diagnosis and worsen conditions, especially when neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, or bladder issues appear. He emphasized that some manipulations by alternative practitioners can cause irreversible nerve damage.
Another patient, Asaf, 38, experienced worsening lower back pain after osteopathic and massage treatments, which intensified his symptoms and delayed proper diagnosis. After consulting an orthopedic specialist and undergoing imaging, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc and referred to neurosurgery, realizing the dangers of postponing conventional care.
The article also discusses the largely unregulated complementary medicine market in Israel, where many practitioners lack formal medical training or certification. The Ministry of Health does not license most complementary therapists, leaving oversight to health funds that impose strict standards on employed practitioners. Chiropractors are a notable exception, having gained official recognition and regulation starting in 2024 after legal battles. Osteopaths and massage therapists remain outside formal regulation, leading to concerns about unqualified practitioners causing harm. Professional associations urge patients to verify therapists’ credentials before treatment.
