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What Kind Of Doctor For Neck And Back Pain

Independent Neurologists Can Provide The Most Informed And Trustworthy Referral To A Surgeon

Stanford Doctor Discusses Neck and Back Pain in Women

Unfortunately, some patients cant be helped by non-surgical treatment, even when receiving the best care. Disc herniation can be too extreme, bone can build up around nerves to the point where they no longer fit through. But, an independent neurologist who has seen thousands of cases will be able to refer you to best surgeon for your case, one who will be able to perform the surgery you actually need.

Types Of Doctors That Might Treat Your Back Pain

Back pain seems to be a problem that plagues so many, so it can be easy to operate under the assumption that treatment is relatively interchangeable. There are actually many different types of doctors that specialize in more specific areas of treatment when it comes to back injury or chronic pain.

It is important that you seek help from the correct type of doctor if you want your pain addressed in the most expedient and thorough fashion. Here is a more in-depth look at the most common types of spine doctors and how they might be able to help you with your pain.

Common Causes Of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back painis usually age-related, but can also result from a prior injury. The mostcommon causes include:

In some cases, its difficult to pinpoint the cause of chronic back pain.If your doctor has exhausted all diagnostic options, its time to seek asecond opinion from a back pain specialist, recommends Nava. Itsimportant not to make rushed decisions or undergo extensive medicalprocedures until the origin of the pain is found. Not only may they nothelp they could make the pain worse, warns Nava.

If the source of the pain is not known or cant be treated, your bestoption may be to work with your doctor on reducing the flare-ups and makingthe pain manageable with nonsurgical treatments.

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Serious Neck Pain Causes

While neck pain often results from less-serious conditions such as slouching or dehydration, there are a number of serious medical conditions that can cause neck pain as well. If youre experiencing serious neck pain, you may want to consider seeing a spine specialist at the Orthopedic Institute.

  • Worn joints: Just like other joints in your body, the padding between your vertebrae can wear down with age. This can cause bone spurs which can affect your joint motion and cause pain.
  • Injuries: Rear-end auto collisions can result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck. Strains or sprains to the neck after an auto accident may not be immediately evident. Symptoms may start or intensify in the days after the accident but generally are short lived and treated with simple conservative measures such as ice, heat, over the counter anti-inflammatories, muscle stimulation or a exercise/therapy program.

If you have severe, lasting pain, and signs that may indicate one of the more serious causes of neck pain mentioned above, its time to Stand Up For Your Spine. Learn more about our experienced neck and back team.

Arthritis Of The Spine

What type of doctor should I see for neck pain?

Arthritis of the spine the slow degeneration of the spinal joints is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older. As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.

four broken ribs and a split bleeding spleen i still have pain on my whole left side still hurts and now my sciatic nerves are hurting i tried chiropractic it got worse do not use aggressive of any kind water therapy is helping the most

besides operation what else i have to do for saiatica

Hello Anon

Heat therapy helps, as well as massage therapy. Make sure you also rest and avoid activities that could trigger more back pain.

Beginners yoga and Pilates are gentle exercises that can help.

If you feel pain doing anything stop the activity and take a break.

Best,

I cannot stress highly enough that all chiropractors are NOT the same . As a chiropractor, there are several ways to conservatively treat sciatica, however, the treatment must be based on what the cause is, and there are multiple causes of sciatica.

In cases where the sciatica is severe, I will usually co-treat with an MD, so medication and chiropractic care is used at the same time to control the symptoms.

I hope that helps,

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The Strength Of Experience At Southern Indiana Orthopedics

At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, we have the expertise and technology to provide exceptional orthopedic care dedicated to making you stronger. All of our specialty-trained orthopedic surgeons, including our neck and spine specialist, have extensive, specialized knowledge, training, and experience to provide the treatment you need to reach your goals. Our neck surgeon, Dr. Tom Reinsel, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship-trained in spine surgery. He is dedicated to serving patients’ individual needs with compassion and exceptional care.

If you have sustained a neck injury or have an ongoing neck condition involving neck pain or back pain, consider making an appointment with our spinal care doctor. Return to life with less pain and better function by calling 376-9353 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online and be seen at our main location in Columbus or at our Greensburg outreach clinic.

Should You Go To A Doctor Or Chiropractor For Back Pain

The answer is always yes.

You should see a back pain doctor or chiropractor. In such a case, theres no difference between a back doctor vs. chiropractor any help is good.

Back pain could resolve itself easily with minor changes in your life, such as switching out your shoes for ones with more supportive souls or buying a firmer mattress.

Often, though, youll need a highly-trained lower back pain doctor to determine how best to treat your back pain. Perhaps theres something wrong with the discs in your back, or theres a pinched nerve somewhere.

You wont know until you have a doctor or chiropractor check your back out.

While you shouldnt ignore back pain, there are many reasons why someone wouldnt want to see a doctor for their spine.

First off, in the United States, back pain doctors or chiropractors tend to congregate in larger cities, meaning they might not be available in your area. Luckily, Beach Pain Center is located just east of downtown Fort Worth.

Secondly, it might cost too much to see them. Most insurance companies should cover you if you have back pain especially if youre growing older. But some might be more skeptical, as many have claimed back pain to acquire insurance benefits. The potential of having to cover medical costs out of pocket could be enough to determine anyone from receiving care.

Youll learn to manage it, but youll never learn to treat it until you go to a doctor or chiropractor.

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Family Doctor Or General Practitioner

Most back pain problems are first addressed in the office of an individuals general practitioner or primary care doctor. This is because it is often a pain problem that goes on for a length of time prior to the individual asking for help with it.

The most likely course of treatment if your family doctor is prescribing it will be medication therapy and/or physical therapy regimens. Your general practitioner will likely not be as well appraised of treatments for specific back pain problems as their specialist counterparts, so they might opt to order some tests to confirm their suspicions and then use those findings to refer you to one of the specialists listed below.

Preparing To See A Doctor For Back And Neck Pain

What are the types of back pain? – Dr. Manjunath A

If low back or neck pain persists longer than a few days or weeks, a doctors evaluation and treatment may be needed.

A general practitioner or chiropractor are often the first line of treatment for back or neck pain. These providers are able to treat or manage most cases of back or neck pain, and may provide referrals to a specialist if needed.

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Answers To Common Back Pain Questions

More than eight in 10 people will experience upper, mid, or low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is the most common back pain. In most cases, the pain goes away over time. If your back pain is severe or does not improve, you may need medical care. Here are answers to some common questions about back pain and tips on when to seek help.

What Type Of Doctor Is Best For Neck Pain Care

The type of doctor that is best for your neck pain care depends a lot on your symptoms and their cause. That is the first thing you need to figure out. The good news is there are many types of doctors that can properly diagnose your neck condition. If youre experiencing chronic neck pain defined as severe pain for over three months then you should go directly to a spine specialist or spinal surgeon. You dont want to take any chances. It could be a serious issue. If youve just started feeling pain, a good place to start would be a chiropractor.

Chiropractors for Neck Pain Care

So how can chiropractors diagnose your neck and give you proper neck pain care? If youve never visited a chiropractor before, theyll do the same thing a general practitioner would do theyll order x-rays. If they see anything that requires medical attention, theyll refer you to an appropriate specialist right away. If they see that your spine is misaligned, theyll begin your consultation. Theyll show you the x-rays and explain to you where the misalignment is occurring in your neck, what nerves are being affected, and why its causing you pain. They can then begin to adjust your spine, consistently over time moving it back into its natural position.

Spinal Specialists and Surgeons for Neck Pain Care

Physical Therapists for Neck Pain Care

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Who Gets Back Pain

Anyone can have back pain. You may be more likely to have back pain because of the following:

  • Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are out of shape. You may also get back pain if you exercise too hard after not being active for a while.
  • Obesity: If you are overweight or obese, it can put stress on the back and cause pain.
  • Job-related risk factors: Jobs that require heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or twisting can injure the back. A desk job may also play a role, especially if you slouch or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.
  • Age: You may have more back pain as you get older, particularly after you turn 45.
  • Family history: Your genes play a role in some disorders that cause back pain.

What Doctor Should I See For Back Pain

What kind of doctor should I see for low back pain? Gallatin Valley ...

If your back pain is from a recent strain or mild injury, your primary care doctor can probably help. But if the pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, it may be time to see a back doctor. Start with someone who specializes in nonsurgical treatment for back pain. This can include a physiatrist, chiropractor, physical therapist, or orthopaedic physician assistant. They can evaluate your condition and offer appropriate treatment to help alleviate your pain. Depending on your circumstances, they might also refer you to another type of back specialist — for example, a pain management specialist or spine surgeon.

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When You See Your Doctor For Back Pain

Your doctor will look at your back and ask you questions about how intense your pain is. They may also look at how easy it is for you to sit, stand, and move around. This will help them figure out where your pain is coming from.

To find the cause, your doctor might recommend other tests such as:

CT or MRI scans. These check for issues with your bones, disks, tissue, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments.

X-rays. This test can help find arthritis or broken bones.

Electromyography . This test measures your muscles’ response to electrical impulses from your nerves. It can show whether you have pinched or compressed nerves along your spine.

Blood tests. Your doctor will look for infections that could cause back pain.

Bone scans. Doctors rarely use these for back pain, but they may help to find tumors or breaks caused by osteoporosis.

After your doctor figures out what the issue is, theyâll discuss treatment options with you. For minor cases of back pain, they may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a heating pad.

For more serious conditions, your doctor may give you stronger medication like narcotics, antidepressants, or muscle relaxers.

You may need to see a specialist to understand your condition better. Your doctor may suggest you make an appointment with:

  • An orthopedist, a doctor who specializes in bones, muscles, and joints
  • A rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis and similar conditions

Types Of Doctors That Specialize In Back Pain

HARVARD TRAINED PAIN DOCTORS | VOTED #1 PAIN CENTER | PAIN TREATMENT SPECIALISTS

If you have back pain, there are a number of different specialists that can help. Back pain can be caused by a number of different reasons, and as a result, there are a number of different doctors that specialize in treating back pain in different ways. It can be difficult to know which type of doctor to see, so we have compiled a list of some of the most common back pain specialists, in order for you to make a more informed choice about your future treatment.

If you are experiencing severe pain and feel ready to find the best back pain doctor and book an appointment today, you can jump straight ahead to the bottom of this article and submit a contact form, or give us call at 767-3227. One of our team members will help you identify the best back pain doctor near you.

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When To See A Doctor

Many cases of low back or neck pain improve relatively quickly on their own. It is generally a good idea to see a doctor if:

  • Pain lasts longer than two weeks
  • Pain is severe and does not respond to initial treatments, such as heat application or over-the-counter medications

    See Medications for Back Pain and Neck Pain

  • Shooting, sharp pain and/or numbness and tingling is spreading to other areas of the body, such as from the neck to the shoulder or arm, or from the back to the pelvis, groin, or legs
  • Low back or neck pain interferes with basic mobility such as turning the head, standing, walking, or other everyday movements so much that daily activities become very difficult

Putting Off Your Visit Is A Mistake

Neck and Back Pain – Treatment Options for both Acute and Chronic Pain

Constant back and neck pain arent just part of getting older, said Dr. Ganapathy. Something is causing your pain and if its not addressed in a timely manner it could lead to chronic pain that could affect your life in the future. You may be able to live with the pain now, but thats not a good idea.

As the pain grows, it could affect your quality of life, holding you back from the things you love and making you more sedentary. Dr. Ganapathy explained, the longer you live with weakness or pain, the more unpredictable your recovery plan will be. Holding off on treatment only serves to introduce more complications that will compound your condition.

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What Can You Expect At Our Spine And Scoliosis Center

Our Spine and Scoliosis Center is designed to provide our spine patients with comprehensive education and exceptional care through the vast experience, training, and knowledge of our expert spine surgeons.

Having dedicated their practices to the specialized field of spine care, our spine surgeons are committed to offering the latest and most advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, including reconstructive surgery. They understand that while surgery is sometimes the best treatment solution for one patient, it is not always the right treatment option for every patient as there may be another nonsurgical option that is more beneficial for that patient.

For instance, sometimes our spine specialists are able to prescribe a medication that can improve your condition without the need for spine surgery or recommend physical therapy, which can bring about gradual improvements that can help with pain management. Our specialists will work with you to understand your individual needs and recommend the best treatment option for you.

If our specialists believe that a type of spine surgery, such as disc replacement or reconstructive surgery, is the best option for you, they will educate you on the surgical process and what to expect during your recovery.

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