Spine Clinic

Millions of Americans suffer from pain somewhere in their spine—from lower back pain to neck pain. Around the world, in fact, lower back pain alone causes more disabilities than any other health condition. Nearly all back pain is caused by conditions that can be improved through a program of proper treatment. Some “red flags,” however, require immediate attention.

These red flags include:

• Sudden changes in bowel or bladder control, or numbness in the groin or rectal area
• Signs of infection, such as a sustained fever
• Pain that lasts more than six weeks
• Risk for fracture in the back: a fall, car accident, or brittle bones from osteoporosis
• History of cancer: especially in prostate, breast and lung; back pain is constant, lasting weeks

Conditions that can cause back and neck pain include:

• Compression fractures
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis and kyphosis
• Spinal stenosis

In most of the country, someone who has an episode of acute back or neck pain is typically given numerous tests, usually including an MRI. Then finally—about 80 percent of the time—they are referred to physical therapy.

At the Spine Clinic, we have turned this process around:

• At your appointment, a physical therapist specially trained in back issues will ask several questions and do a thorough evaluation.
• At the same appointment, a physiatrist will come in, discuss your issues with you and the physical therapist, and do any further evaluation needed.
• If physical therapy is determined to be the best treatment for you, your first therapy session will begin right then.

A physiatrist is a physician who specializes in rehabilitative medicine. At the Spine Clinic, our physiatrists focus on what may be limiting your ability to do your normal activities and develop a plan to help you become as functional as possible.

A team of multidisciplinary specialists who make up our Spine Conference reviews many spine cases individually. This group includes physiatrists, interventional specialists and surgeons who all have the same goal: trying to find the best solution, to be applied at the best time, for each person.

There is a common misperception that severe back pain usually leads to some type of back surgery. The opposite is true: Most back issues can be resolved without surgery.

We focus on helping people make the right decisions about their care at the appropriate time. If physical therapy alone isn’t enough, other treatment options are available. In some cases, spinal injections help in getting you on a good road to recovery.

If you’re a candidate for surgery, you’ll be scheduled to meet with a spine surgeon, who will make the most appropriate recommendation for your individual circumstances. Our board-certified spine surgeons are highly experienced in all types of surgical treatments for spine pain.

“Acute” means something that has recently occurred. While the meaning of the term varies in medicine, it typically means anywhere from the first day of onset to around six weeks.

Uncomplicated, acute back pain or neck pain is usually unexpected—you bend over to pick up a ball and feel a sharp pain, or chronic low-grade pain suddenly escalates. Uncomplicated pain is not associated with red flags of back and neck pain. This pain is acute and is only called “uncomplicated” because not a lot of interventions have been tried yet to help it.

Treating acute back pain right away—and appropriately—can get you back to your life much sooner.

Chronic back pain can have a debilitating effect on your quality of life. Our team can schedule an appointment for you with one of our physiatrists for a thorough assessment and treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Depending on your specific situation, self-care, physical therapy and surgery—or some combination of treatments—are all available for treating back pain.

• Learn more about low back pain

To learn more about the Spine Clinic or to schedule an appointment with a specialist, call 206-41-SPINE (206-417-7463).