Chronic back problems are usually caused by disc problems. The discs in your spine consist of a hard exterior and a soft jelly-like interior. They are found between each vertebra and allow for spine flexibility and range of motion. Once the discs dry up — a process that begins as early as your 20s — you may experience a range of symptoms, including stiffness and pain. As the discs begin to degenerate, they may herniate or push out, irritating the surrounding nerves and causing pain.
Who To See For a Back Problem?
Acute back pain may be treated by a primary care doctor, but chronic back problem sufferers (with back pain lasting several weeks and more) can get the best results from a spine specialist. A spine specialist can treat a wide range of nerve and spine-related disorders using the most advanced treatments that a primary care doctor does not offer. Primary care doctors typically offer pain relievers. If the medication isn’t effective, they refer patients to specialists. A primary care doctor can refer you to a spine specialist, physical therapist, chiropractor, and other pain specialists that can help with pain management.
Why not ask for a referral to a spine specialist who can treat back pain caused by an injury, degenerative condition, or disorder? For instance, if you have nerve irritation, getting to the root of the problem is very important. Prolonged nerve irritation or compression is indeed very painful – not to mention it can damage the nerves. A spine specialist is up to date on the latest treatments for back problems.
What Can a Spine Specialist Do?
A spine specialist can treat back pain, neck pain, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal fractures, and much more. Herniated discs are just one example of what a spine specialist can treat. Spine disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, spondylolisthesis, myelopathy, spinal cord injury, and scoliosis and spinal deformity can be treated by a spine specialist.
They are trained in conservative and minimally invasive surgeries, as well as microsurgeries to treat spine problems. A spine specialist can create a treatment plan that includes medication, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, epidural injections, and more.
Back pain can be very disruptive. Misdiagnosis and improper treatment will only get you further away from relief. Lower back pain caused by a herniated disc, for instance, can irritate the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. If this happens, you may have weakness, numbness, and tingling in your lower extremities.
A spine specialist can help provide lasting relief from back pain, restore function and get you back to your life. If you are experiencing pain, don’t ignore it – seek treatment today.
Spine Specialist in Colorado
Our spine surgeons at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery are acknowledged experts in the treatment of spine and nerve disorders. We offer the most advanced treatments for a variety of conditions. Dr. Michael Rauzzino is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in treating intracranial and spinal disorders and Dr. Kevin Boyer, also board-certified in neurosurgery, specializes in all aspects of cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerve surgery. To make an appointment, call (303) 790-1800 or use our online request form.
