Spine Care
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, and a dedicated team of nurses and support staff to create a plan that’s right – just for you.
Spine Conditions We Treat
Nearly 100 million Americans suffer from neck and back pain each year. If you’ve been experiencing persistent aches and pains that keep you from enjoying daily activities, it might be time to see your doctor.
Conditions we treat include:
- Herniated discs
- Myelopathy, a spinal cord dysfunction due to neck compression
- Radiculpathy such as a pinched nerve
- Sciatica or nerve pain
- Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal
- Spinal curvature such as scoliosis, kyphosis and other deformities
- Spondylosis, spine pain such as degenerative disc disease, bone spur or spinal osteoarthritis
- Spinal arthritis
- Spondylolisthesis, or disk degeneration and slipped vertebra
- Spinal cord compression
- Spine fractures
- Spinal tumors
Non-surgical Treatments
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.
- Injections to relieve pain
- Integrative therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback and massage
- Lifestyle changes such as low-impact exercise and nutrition
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Prescription medications
- Physiatry and physical therapy focused on restoring physical function
Spine Surgical Services
Our spine surgery experts are at the forefront of surgical advances for both complex and common spinal procedures. Advances in neurosurgery mean there are more minimally invasive approaches for neck and back pain than ever before, resulting in smaller incisions, less impact to the surrounding tissue and shorter recovery times.
Artificial disc replacement surgery (ADR) uses advanced surgical techniques to remove damaged intervertebral discs and replaces them with a prosthesis. This recreates normal dynamic function of the spine and eliminates back pain.
A discectomy involves removing all or part of a damaged or herniated intervertebral disc that is pressing on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord, helping relieve pain, numbness or weakness in the back and extremities.
Foraminotomy is a procedure focused on widening the opening where nerve roots exit the spine to relieve nerve compression.
Minimally invasive procedures that treat spinal compression fractures by injecting bone cement into the damaged vertebra to stabilize it and restore height, with kyphoplasty also using a balloon to create space before the cement is inserted.
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the lamina, the back portion of a vertebra, to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the partial removal of the lamina from the cervical spine and slightly rotates it away from the spinal cord to relieve compression.
A laminotomy, sometimes called a spinal decompression, is a surgical procedure that involves the partial removal of the lamina from specific regions of the spinal column to help relieve the pain of spinal stenosis.
A minimally invasive spine surgery that uses a small endoscope and camera to remove a herniated disc fragment that is pressing on a spinal nerve, resulting in less muscle damage and faster recovery than open surgery.
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae together using bone grafts, metal rods, screws, or plates to eliminate painful motion between them and stabilize the spine.
Find Neurological Care Close to You
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.
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.
