This is true, but be aware that some things that may sound serious are not necessarily so. E.g. many many people have herniated discs and it's a "normal" thing to happen as you get older. I know of people who've had spinal surgery (which itself is very risky) who may not have needed it...
I've been meaning to post something about this for a while, this seems as good a place as any.
Was pretty much incapacitated by back problems for four years. Had numerous MRI scans, was told that a disc was fecked, etc. etc. Tried various different treatments... Was unable to do any of the...