Hello everyone. I am 26 years old and first was put into a Milwakee brace at age 8. By 12 I had spinal fusion C6-L2 (don't remember degrees, but was one of the most progressive they'd ever seen)CD?(saw from the pictures) at the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. I NEVER had pain the entire surgery or even pain when I had the braces...I went through those ones made out of plastic that goes right around the breast area and down to the hips too. This may have been because my mom is a nurse and was there my whole surgery pushing the button that gave drugs. Afterwards, I had NO physical therapy, although I have heard that that is normal because kids are so active and alot don't need it- I was a swimmer and very active before and after. Anyway, I had no treatment or check ups because my family was military travelling over seas and just didn't get any. About 2-3 years ago I started having upper back pain. I had worked at a physical therapy clinic and they showed my exercises, but they didn't really help. I then self-referred to a specialist in Boulder,CO whick said she needed to some anterior/posterior thing soon. I wanted a 2nd opionion and went to a neurosurgeon and he told me he would put screws in each individual vertebrae and attatch them only C7-C3 posteriorly. I was going to go through him then I didn't have anyone to take care of me suddenly. I tried a Chiropractor and he did a couple of adjustments and said I needed like 48 and insurance only covered 24, he wanted up front payment, so stopped that. Then last year I went to a surgeon in Denver. He said my neck was inline with my chin and said I didn't need surgery! Who the heck do you trust?? What about payment??? I have insurance, but can barely afford rent! Geez.....any comments....specially about any good surgeons in the Denver area??