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.
Hero Images / Getty Images
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.
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).
And ask a lot of questions during your appointment.
Also, you’re able to always request a referral to a specialist.
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 could ask for a referral.
Trauma can include car accidents, falls, or gunshot wounds.
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.
Rheumatologists
A rheumatologist treats autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions.
These include many forms of arthritis,lupus, andSjogren’sdisease.
They overlap with orthopedists.
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 Specialist Does Epidural Injections for Back Pain?
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.
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.
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.
Chiropractors
Chiropractic is a hands-on alternative medicine discipline.
Its goal is to restore function by aligning the spine.Chiropractorsdo this with spinal manipulations, also known as adjustments.
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.
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.
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.
