If you’re suffering from neck or back pain, you’re probably thinking about consulting a physician of some sort to help you diagnose the cause of your discomfort and recommend treatments. There are many types of healthcare professionals who can likely help you, based on their unique expertise and area of specialization. So, how do you know which type of physician you should visit first?

Begin with Your Primary Care Physician

It’s always best to check in first with your primary care physician or provider (PCP) when you’re experiencing neck or back pain. While your PCP may not necessarily specialize in spine conditions, he or she may be able to help form an initial diagnosis of what’s causing your discomfort.

To do so, your PCP will likely want to know about:

– The location, severity, and frequency of your symptoms

– Whether you’re experiencing shooting pains, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or legs

– Whether you’ve had previous spine injuries

– Whether you’ve had previous surgeries

– Whether you have a family history of spine conditions

– Whether specific movements improve or worsen your symptoms

Your PCP may also order diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, that can help reveal whether degenerative changes in the spine is potentially contributing to your pain. For example, he or she may be able to identify whether a bulging disc or bone spur is compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. If your PCP cannot determine exactly why your neck or back hurts, he or she may refer you to a specialist.

Types of Specialists

It’s likely that your PCP will recommend a particular type of spine specialist based on the information he or she gathers about your symptoms, medical history, and previous health conditions. There are a variety of medical professionals who specialize in spine conditions, symptoms, and treatments, but each one has a specific area of knowledge.

In addition to your physician’s recommendation, it can be helpful to do some research about the different types of spine specialists to see which type could best help you.

Some types of spine specialists include:

– Orthopedists – diagnose and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system, which consists of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles of the body

– Physical therapists – employ techniques such as low-impact aerobics, strength training, and other non-surgical methods to improve body mechanics and strengthen core muscles; other physical therapy treatments might include massage and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

– Neurologists – diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system; as the specialty relates to neck and back pain, a neurologist can determine the best methods to relieve compression of the spinal cord or a nerve root caused by an anatomical abnormality

– Rheumatologists – diagnoses and treats conditions that cause pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints or muscles; a rheumatologist can help determine the best methods to relieve symptoms caused by arthritic facet joints

In addition to researching the types of spine specialists that could help you, it’s also important to confirm that whichever specialist you ultimately choose to see is certified by a specialty board within the American Board of Medical Specialties. Board certification ensures that a doctor has met or exceeded educational and ethical requirements.

Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer

You should also know that most spine conditions can be treated with a regimen of nonsurgical, conservative treatments. As a result, surgery is rarely necessary and is usually reserved for patients who have first exhausted all forms of nonsurgical therapies. If a spine specialist is pressuring you into having surgery, get medical opinions from one or more additional specialists and make sure you are 100 percent comfortable with all of the risks and benefits associated with any procedure before you sign any consent form.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to selecting healthcare providers.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to selecting healthcare providers. http://laserspine.net/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to selecting healthcare providers.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
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