Back and spine painis common. It’s so common, in fact, that many types of healthcare providers diagnose and treat it.
This makes it hard to choose a provider. So it can help to know a little about what each one does and what they have to offer. Your primary healthcare provider can also help.
This article walks you through the specialties of 10 types of medical personnel who treat back pain and how they may be able to help you.
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Family and General Practitioners
With newneck or back pain, start with your regular doctor. That’s usually a family or general practitioner (GP) or primary care provider (PCP).
They may:
But studies suggest GPs can be slow to adopt new back treatments.So research possible treatment options yourself. And ask a lot of questions during your appointment.
Also, you can always request a referral to a specialist.
What Your Primary Care Healthcare Provider Can Do
Pediatricians
Pediatricians diagnose and treat children. They cover a wide range of issues including back pain and injuries.
As with a GP or PCP, your child’s pediatrician is the place to start. If your child needs a specialist, they’ll likely refer you. Or you can ask for a referral.
What Does a Pediatrician Do?
Emergency Room Healthcare Providers
If you have serious neck or back trauma, you should go to the emergency room. Trauma can include car accidents, falls, or gunshot wounds.
Remember not to move someone with a possible spinal injury.If you’re the one who’s hurt, stay still and tell others not to move you.
Also, go to the ER if you have back pain with loss of bowel orbladder control, or your legs get progressively weaker. Those are symptoms of an emergency condition calledcauda equina syndrome.
Orthopedists
Orthopedistsandorthopedicsurgeons treat the musculoskeletal system. That includes:
Common orthopedic problems are:
Orthopedics overlaps with other specialties. For example, orthopedists and rheumatologists both treatarthritis.
And orthopedic surgeries and neurosurgeons do some of the same procedures. These includespinal fusionsanddiscectomies.
What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Rheumatologists
A rheumatologist treats autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions. These include many forms of arthritis,lupus, andSjögren’sdisease.
Your PCP may send you to a rheumatologist if you have symptoms of:
Rheumatologists may also treatspinal stenosis(advanced osteoarthritis). They overlap with orthopedists.
When to See a Rheumatologist
Neurologists
A neurologist specializes in thenervous system. They treat disorders of the brain,spinal cord, and nerves. That includes:
You might see a neurologist if your back or neck pain is chronic. They are experts in the origins of pain.
A neurologist doesn’t perform spine surgery. They can be a medical doctor (MD) or another licensed practitioner.
What Is a Neurologist?
What Specialist Does Epidural Injections for Back Pain?A lot of healthcare providers can give you an epidural steroid injection (ESI). That includes:Pain management specialistsPhysiatristsInterventional radiologistsAnesthesiologistsOrthopedic surgeonsNeurosurgeonsNeurologists
What Specialist Does Epidural Injections for Back Pain?
A lot of healthcare providers can give you an epidural steroid injection (ESI). That includes:Pain management specialistsPhysiatristsInterventional radiologistsAnesthesiologistsOrthopedic surgeonsNeurosurgeonsNeurologists
A lot of healthcare providers can give you an epidural steroid injection (ESI). That includes:
Neurosurgeons
A neurosurgeon specializes in surgery on the nervous system. That includes the brain, spine, and spinal cord.
Neurosurgeons don’t provide overall treatment for back pain. You’ll usually see them only after exhausting all other options.
When to See a Neurosurgeon
Osteopaths
An osteopath works in a patient-centric, holistic way. They take the same classes as an MD plus up to 500 hours focused on the musculoskeletal system.
They have all the same exams and licensing as an MD, as well. Many osteopaths are primary care providers.
If you go to one for back pain, expect an emphasis on things like:
Their goal is to increase your mobility and relieve pain and muscle tension.
Understanding Osteopaths
Physiatrists
Physiatrists are also holistic providers. They focus on physical functioning. Think of them as a PCP plus a physical therapist.
This sub-specialty provides rehabilitation for all kinds of conditions and injuries. These include:
Quite often, the physiatrist will coordinate a team of specialists. That helps create a treatment plan for all of your medical needs.
Physical Rehabilitation: An Overview
Chiropractors
The purpose of most chiropractic adjustments is to loosen and increase flexibility. Chiropractic may help if you have stiff muscles and have lost range of motion.
But it may do more harm than good if you:
Summary
You have a lot of options for treating back pain. General practitioners, pediatricians, and ER workers are often the first line of defense. If they can’t properly diagnose or treat you, they may send you to a specialist.
Specialists include orthopedists, rheumatologists, and neurologists/neurosurgeons. They deal with chronic diseases like arthritis or temporary problems like herniated discs.
Complementary and alternative providers may treat you on their own or as part of a care team. They look at the whole person and work toward better overall function.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bishop PB, Wing PC.Knowledge transfer in family physicians managing patients with acute low back pain: a prospective randomized control trial.Spine J. 2006;6(3):282-288. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.10.008MedlinePlus.Spinal injury.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Caudia Equina Syndrome.Borsook D.Neurological diseases and pain.Brain. 2012;135(Pt 2):320-344.National Library of Medicine.Doctor of osteopathic medicine.World Health Organization.WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bishop PB, Wing PC.Knowledge transfer in family physicians managing patients with acute low back pain: a prospective randomized control trial.Spine J. 2006;6(3):282-288. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.10.008MedlinePlus.Spinal injury.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Caudia Equina Syndrome.Borsook D.Neurological diseases and pain.Brain. 2012;135(Pt 2):320-344.National Library of Medicine.Doctor of osteopathic medicine.World Health Organization.WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bishop PB, Wing PC.Knowledge transfer in family physicians managing patients with acute low back pain: a prospective randomized control trial.Spine J. 2006;6(3):282-288. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.10.008MedlinePlus.Spinal injury.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Caudia Equina Syndrome.Borsook D.Neurological diseases and pain.Brain. 2012;135(Pt 2):320-344.National Library of Medicine.Doctor of osteopathic medicine.World Health Organization.WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic.
Bishop PB, Wing PC.Knowledge transfer in family physicians managing patients with acute low back pain: a prospective randomized control trial.Spine J. 2006;6(3):282-288. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.10.008
MedlinePlus.Spinal injury.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Caudia Equina Syndrome.
Borsook D.Neurological diseases and pain.Brain. 2012;135(Pt 2):320-344.
National Library of Medicine.Doctor of osteopathic medicine.
World Health Organization.WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic.
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