If you’re dealing with back pain, you’re not alone. Many people experience back pain at some point in their lives, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. When it comes to finding the right doctor to see for your back pain, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This article will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about back pain and help guide you in finding the right doctor to see for your specific needs.
What is the best doctor to see for back pain?
The best doctor to see for back pain would be an interventional pain specialist. These doctors are specially trained to diagnose and treat chronic pain using a variety of techniques, including minimally invasive procedures such as spinal injections, nerve blocks, and other treatments. They are able to focus on the source of the pain and use a combination of medications, physical therapy, and other non-surgical options to help alleviate it.
Interventional pain specialists work closely with other medical professionals such as primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists to create a comprehensive treatment plan for patients. They are also well-versed in the latest pain management techniques and use evidence-based approaches to provide the best possible care for their patients.
What is a doctor for your back called?
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating back pain is called an orthopedic spine specialist or spinal orthopedist. These doctors are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the spine, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and osteoarthritis of the spine. They also perform spinal surgeries when necessary.
Other medical professionals that can specialize in the back are neurosurgeons and physiatrists. Neurosurgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of conditions of the nervous system, including those that affect the spine, while physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician) is a specialist who uses non-surgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to help patients with back pain.
However, one of the key advantages of seeing an interventional pain specialist for back pain is that they perform a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in-office, which can save patients the time and expense of having to go to the hospital for treatment. These procedures include things like nerve blocks, spinal injections, and other techniques that can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Interventional pain specialists also work closely with other medical professionals, such as primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists, to create a comprehensive treatment plan. This allows them to coordinate care and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their specific condition.
Should you go to the doctor for back pain?
It is always a good idea to seek medical attention if you are experiencing back pain. While some cases of back pain may be mild and improve on their own, other cases can be more severe and require professional treatment. In some cases, back pain can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as a herniated disk or a spinal cord injury, and it is important to have these conditions diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
If your back pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs, it is especially important to see a doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms can indicate a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
If your back pain is moderate or mild, you can usually wait a few days to see if it improves on its own. If the pain persists, it’s advisable to seek medical attention. There are a variety of treatment options available, including physical therapy, medications, and non-surgical treatments such as nerve blocks and spinal injections.
It’s also recommended to see a doctor if you have a history of back problems, you’re pregnant, you’re over the age of 50, or you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, osteoporosis, or cancer. In these situations, back pain should be diagnosed as soon as possible.
When should you seek emergency medical attention for back pain?
In some cases, back pain can be a symptom of a serious condition that requires emergency medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms along with your back pain, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately:
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe and sudden back pain, such as from a fall or a car accident
- High fever or unexplained weight loss along with the back pain
- A history of cancer and back pain
These symptoms indicate a serious condition, such as a spinal cord injury, infection, or a tumor. It’s essential to seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage. It’s important to note that back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and not all of them are serious. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re unsure whether your back pain is something you can wait to see a doctor for or if it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate to call your back center in New Jersey.
New Jersey Back Center is a group of state-of-the-art back centers led by highly-skilled, board-certified interventional pain specialists dedicated to helping you achieve optimal back pain relief. Our back pain doctors carefully examine your back, discuss your symptoms, and administer advanced imaging tests to identify the root cause, following which they curate a personalized treatment plan consisting of conservative and minimally invasive procedures.
We have back centers in Clifton, Paramus, Woodland Park, and West Orange. If you’re in or around West Orange, you can find our back center at 445 Pleasant Valley Way, located in the same medical office as Twinboro Physical Therapy and Dr. Michael Rieber/Orthopedics Unlimited. Please schedule an appointment at your nearest back center in New Jersey.
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