Healthcare Providers for Chronic Back Pain

1. Healthcare Providers for Chronic Back Pain? Spine surgery is a medical speciality that encompasses many types of surgery. The highly-specialized nature of this type of procedure may require the expertise of a neurosurgeon, orthopaedic surgeon and neuro-anesthesiologist. Depending on the condition and the type of spinal surgery treatments needed, a neurosurgeon will be called upon to perform several different types of procedures, ranging from spinal fusion to laminectomy surgery. Medical doctors and osteopathic physicians are the most common primary health care providers who treat back pain. They may recommend a range of treatment options, including medication and physical therapy. In some situations, however, their treatments may not be enough to relieve symptoms and a patient might benefit from further assessment by a spine surgery specialist. Back pain can be debilitating and painful, but it is not something that has to hold you back. There are many specialists who treat back pain and they can help you get your life back on track. There are three broad groups of health providers who treat back pain: primary care providers, spine specialists, and therapists. Primary care providers are often the first port of call for patients when back pain strikes, and generally include primary care physicians (Family practice doctors, Internists, Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Pediatricians), chiropractors, and doctors of osteopathic medicine. Spine specialists have a more specific area of expertise in certain diagnoses and/or treatments for back pain and spinal conditions, and generally include surgeons, physiatrists (physical medicine physicians), anesthesiologists (pain management specialists), neurologists (neurology specialists), rheumatologists (rheumatology experts). These specialists can help pinpoint the exact cause of your pain so that it can be treated effectively. If surgery is needed they will also provide post-operative care to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible. Therapists have expertise in either physical or occupational rehabilitation for back pain. When you need a spine surgery specialist to treat your back pain, there are many options available. Specialists who treat back pain can be found in Spine Surgeons, Orthopedists and Neurosurgeons. Spine surgeons perform the overwhelming majority of spine surgery and frequently extend their general Orthopedic or Neurosurgical training by participating in a spine fellowship. These spine fellowships accept a select group of physicians who have completed four to seven years of a surgical residency and are either board certified or board eligible in their respective specialties and provide additional training in performing spine surgery. Orthopedic surgeons (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) have completed a five-year residency focused on the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Neurosurgeons are Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who complete a five or six-year residency that focuses on the surgical treatment of patients with neurological conditions. In recent years, spine surgery has become increasingly specialized within the orthopedic and neurosurgical professions, and often a surgeon will focus a majority of his or her practice on spinal surgery. It is thought that the increasing level of specialization and focus on the spine has contributed to enhancements in surgical technique, which in turn has led to overall improved success rates and reduced morbidity (e.g., reduced post-operative discomfort, faster healing time).