Call 833-512-2551 or request an appointment online.
View tips for managing back and neck pain.Spine Care
Back and neck pain affects roughly 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. It’s so common that it’s also the most popular reason people go to see their doctor. Fortunately, most back and neck pain improves on its own. But, if you’ve been suffering from persistent aches and pains that keep you from enjoying daily activities, it might be time to see your doctor.
The Providence spine care team treats many neck and back conditions, including:
- Back strain or sprain – An injury to a muscle or tendon. A sprain is a pulled or torn ligament.
- Broken vertebrae – Osteoporosis can cause a compression fracture. A traumatic accident may cause broken vertebrae.
- Degenerative disk disease – Natural, age-related wear and tear on the spine can sometimes cause pain. This is also called spinal spondylosis.
- Diskitis – Occurs when there is an infection in the spinal disks. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria.
- Herniated disk – Occurs when the soft center of your spinal disk pushes through the tough exterior wall of the disk. It is also called a bulging disk.
- Low back pain – Can be caused by several conditions including herniated disks, osteoarthritis, sciatica and more.
- Multiple sclerosis – Back pain can be a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). It can be caused by damaged nerves or other MS-related health conditions.
- Myelopathy – Caused by an injury or spine condition that compresses the spinal cord.
- Neck pain – Neck pain can be caused by many conditions, including a bulging disk, spondylosis and others.
- Osteoporosis – Arthritis in your spine that most commonly affects your low back.
- Pinched nerve – A pinched nerve (radiculopathy) can cause pain in other areas of your body, including your legs or hips.
- Scoliosis – A congenital condition that causes your spine to curve.
- Sciatica – Sciatica nerve pain can radiate down one or both legs. It’s typically caused by a herniated disk.
- Slipped vertebra (spondylolisthesis) – This condition occurs when a vertebra slips out of place and rests on the vertebra below it.
- Spinal stenosis – A narrowing of the spaces in your spine.
There are many effective ways to treat neck and back pain without surgery. You can be confident that your spine care team will always start with the most conservative care plan for you. Your team will discuss your treatment options, which may include any of the following.
- Physical therapy –A physical therapist will work with you to create an exercise plan that targets those muscles and helps you regain strength and range of motion.
- Physiatry – A physiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They focus on your whole body and recommend treatments that address your symptoms.
- Medication management – Medications, like anti-inflammatories and non-narcotic pain relievers can help you take better control of your symptoms – and keep you moving.
- Injection therapies –Injections are a minimally invasive spine care approach that can provide long-lasting treatment.
- Diet changes – A healthy diet (and one that avoids trans fats, refined sugars and processed foods) can help reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise – Low impact exercise, such as swimming, biking or yoga, can help you gain strength and improve flexibility – and reduce your back or neck pain.
- Lifestyle modifications – Your doctor can also discuss lifestyle modifications that can help reduce your back or neck pain.
- Alternative therapies – Sometimes, alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy or electric nerve stimulation can help reduce your back or neck pain.
Call 833-512-2551 or request an appointment online.
If non-surgical treatments aren’t relieving your pain, your team may recommend spine surgery. Fortunately, advances in neurosurgery mean there are more minimally invasive surgical approaches for neck and back pain than ever before. In many cases, these procedures use technology to precisely guide your surgeon’s movements, meaning smaller incisions and shorter recovery times.
Our spine surgeons are experienced in many procedures, including:
- Spinal decompression – Decompression surgery can help relieve back pain. There are many different types of decompression surgery:
- Laminectomy – One or more lamina vertebra is removed
- Laminotomy – A small portion of the lamina is removed
- Foraminotomy – The area around the affected vertebra is enlarged
- Microdiscectomy – A portion of a herniated disk is removed through a small incision during a minimally invasive procedure
- Disk replacement surgery – Your surgeon will replace a damaged disk with an artificial one. This helps reduce pain and improve range of motion.
- Kyphoplasty – A minimally invasive surgical procedure, kyphoplasty can help treat spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis.
- Spinal fusion – Spinal fusion permanently joins (fuses) two or more vertebrae together. This helps reduce instability, improve range of motion and ease pain. It’s used to treat many conditions, including spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, scoliosis and others.
- Spinal reconstruction surgery – This advanced procedure replaces deformed or misaligned portions of the spine with artificial disks and hardware. This helps align and stabilize the spine, which improves mobility and quality of life.
- Vertebroplasty – A surgeon will insert a special cement-type mixture into your fractured vertebra to help relieve pain and improve your mobility.
Call 833-512-2551 or request an appointment online.
When it comes to treating neck and back pain, no two care plans are alike. That’s why our Providence team includes neurosurgeons, spine and pain specialists, pharmacologists, pain psychologists and a dedicated team of nurses and support staff to create a plan that’s right – just for you.
We get to know you – your symptoms, your goals, your lifestyle. Then, we’ll start with a conservative approach that may include physical therapy and medications. Bottom line – we want to get you moving, pain-free with as little intervention as possible.
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How Back Surgery Changed One Life
Cameron suffered from back pain for most of his life. Over the years, he explored many treatment options but didn't find lasting relief. When his pain became debilitating, he met with our team of experts and learned that he would need spine surgery. Watch his story to learn how surgery changed his life - and the difference expert care can make.
Tips for Managing Back or Neck Pain
Neck and back pain can keep you from doing what you love. Learn how to manage your pain, and what treatment options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following:
- It follows a serious injury or trauma, such as a fall or car accident
- Fever
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe weakness or numbness in both legs
- Unexplained weight loss
These may be signs of a more serious condition, such as a spinal fracture.
In most cases, you’ll want to talk to your primary care doctor first to evaluate your pain and review your medical history. A spine specialist can offer a more targeted diagnosis and advanced treatment options. Your PCP may suggest non-surgical treatments before referring you to a spine specialist, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections.
You should consider seeing a spine specialist if your pain:
- Causes numbness, tingling or weakness in your limbs
- Has lasted more than 4–6 weeks despite rest and over-the-counter treatments
- Started after an injury
- Radiates down your arm or leg
Patients should check with their insurance to confirm coverage before scheduling. Some insurance plans may require a referral.
Typically, you’ll need a referral and imaging completed within the last 6 months. Many insurance providers require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering specialist visits. However, some plans allow you to see a specialist without a referral.
We recommend contacting your insurance provider before scheduling to confirm your coverage and referral requirements.
Please bring the following to your first visit:
- Detailed history of symptoms and treatments, including when your symptoms started and any pain triggers
- List of questions for the care team
Being as specific as possible about your pain – including its location, severity and how it affects daily activities – will help your specialist make a more accurate assessment.
Seeking a second opinion before spine surgery is not only acceptable – it’s encouraged. Second opinions help confirm the diagnosis, ensure surgery is truly necessary and give you added confidence in your treatment plan. Respected spine care providers will support your decision to seek additional professional opinions, and many insurance plans cover second opinion consultations.
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the individual.
Minimally invasive procedures may allow you to return to light activities within a few weeks, while more complex surgeries such as spinal fusion may require 3–6 months for full recovery.
Your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan with clear milestones.
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary spine treatments and surgery. Coverage for conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections, varies by plan.
It’s important to verify your benefits, obtain any required pre-authorizations and understand your out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment.
