Spine Care

Spine conditions can lead to pain in your back, neck and other parts of your body. If your pain is constant, it can drain you mentally, emotionally and physically and take away your joy in life. We’re here to help ease your suffering with compassionate care tailored to your condition.

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About Spine Care

Spine care refers to taking care of your neck and back, which include the bones called vertebrae and the muscles that support them. To keep your neck and back healthy and strong, maintain good posture, exercise regularly and avoid lifting heavy objects or wearing heavy backpacks. If you do develop a spine condition, it could be the result of an injury or a disease, or of wear and tear on your body.

Spine conditions we treat at Providence include:

  • Back pain
  • Myelopathy
  • Neck pain
  • Radiculopathy

Personalized Spine Care

For many spine conditions, nonsurgical treatments may be highly effective. In other cases, surgery may be required to help ease pain and other symptoms. Your treatment may include one or more of the following:

Nonsurgical

  • Injections
  • Integrative therapies
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Low-impact exercise
  • Nutrition
  • Over-the-counter pain medications
  • Prescription medications
  • Physiatry
  • Physical therapy

Surgical

Testing and Diagnostics

Your neurological care team uses a wide variety of tests to identify the causes of neck and back pain. To find the cause of your pain, they may use one or more of the following:

  • Autoimmune panels
  • Blood test
  • CT imaging
  • Electromyography (EMG) 
  • MRI
  • X-ray

Why Choose Us for Your Spine Care?

Our goal is to improve your quality of life so you can get back to doing what you love. Here’s why patients with a wide range of spine conditions choose us for their care.

Doctor speaking with patient

Spine conditions can lead to chronic pain that can make it difficult to do things you enjoy or even simple everyday tasks. We work with you to find the least invasive, personalized treatment to bring you relief. Providence offers many options for spine care. Surgery is usually the last choice after other therapies have been considered.

Many patients with spine problems can benefit significantly from lifestyle changes that involve diet and exercise. You may also find relief in integrative treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, biofeedback therapy or electric nerve stimulation. Your care team can help you decide which of these integrative therapies might benefit you.

If you do need surgery, know that Providence is at the forefront of surgical advances, even for the most complex spinal surgeries. Our spine neurosurgeons have the highest level of training. With close to 100,000 patient visits per year, they also have the experience and skills for the best outcomes. They work with other specialists, such as physical therapists and pain medicine doctors, to ensure you get coordinated care as you recover. If you have spine cancer, your surgeon also works closely with your oncologist to plan your care. A nurse navigator guides you through your treatment journey, and your care team monitors your spine condition well beyond surgery.

At Providence, we are committed to providing everyone in our diverse community with access to the best care. We respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and spiritual identity of each patient. We offer location-specific services such as English translation, telehealth appointments and help with transportation. In keeping with our Mission, Providence also offers financial assistance programs that provide free and low-cost care to those who are eligible.

As our spine care patient, you’ll benefit from one of the largest networks of neuroscience experts in the country. We have award-winning physicians, scientists, researchers and caregivers across 51 hospitals in seven states. This collaborative network can help your spine neurosurgeon treat your condition faster and more efficiently with the best outcome.

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.

View Tips
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Meet the Team

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

Female doctor wearing mask, doctors in background

Our Commitment to Care

"Just about everybody in life has spine trouble at some point. Most people don't need surgery. My goal is for my patients to be as happy as possible, as pain-free as possible and to feel better than they did before they came to us."

Nathaniel Whitney, M.D. - Neurosurgeon
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center - Spokane, Washington

"Just about everybody in life has spine trouble at some point. Most people don't need surgery. My goal is for my patients to be as happy as possible, as pain-free as possible and to feel better than they did before they came to us."

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