Spine Care

Spinal discs act like cushions between the bones in your spine. They help absorb shock when you move—like walking, bending or lifting. Sometimes, a disc can get damaged and bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc.

When this happens, the soft center of the disc can press on nearby nerves. That pressure can cause pain, numbness or weakness, usually in your back or legs.

• How is it treated? Most herniated discs get better with rest, gentle movement and physical therapy. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves, reduce pain and help you get back to your usual activities. If symptoms don’t improve or the pain is severe, surgery may be an option to remove or repair the damaged disc.

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve. This large nerve branches from your lower spine and travels through your hips and buttocks and down the back of each leg. It usually affects one side of the body.

• What causes it? Sciatica often happens when something puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Common causes include a herniated disc or spine conditions like spinal stenosis.
• What does it feel like? The pain can feel sharp, burning or tingling. Some people also feel weakness or numbness in the leg.
• How is sciatica treated? Most of the time, sciatica gets better on its own. You can often start with home treatments like:
  • Heat or ice therapy
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers
  • Gentle stretches

Physical therapy can also help strengthen your back and core muscles to take pressure off the nerve and help prevent sciatica from coming back.

Spinal stenosis happens when the space around your spinal cord gets too narrow. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and nearby nerves. It’s often caused by age-related changes like arthritis, thickened ligaments or bulging discs.

• What are the symptoms? Spinal stenosis can cause pain, numbness or weakness in your back, legs or neck. A common sign is cramping or pain while standing or walking that feels better when you sit or lean forward.
• How is it treated? Spinal stenosis can’t be reversed, but there are ways to manage the symptoms. Treatment may include:
  • Physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility
  • Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling
  • Lifestyle changes, like taking breaks from standing or walking

If symptoms get worse or nerve damage becomes a concern, surgery may be needed to make more space in the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the nerves.

If you're looking for other ways to manage pain, some people find relief through:

• Acupuncture: Can help with pain management.
• Pilates: Strengthens core muscles and supports spine health.
• Yoga: Improves flexibility, strength and spinal health.

Physical therapy is often a good option for mild to moderate back or neck pain. A physical therapist will guide you through exercises to strengthen your back and improve posture. You can also continue doing exercises at home.

For more severe pain or difficulty moving, our physical medicine and rehabilitation team can help you regain comfort and mobility.
 

Injections that may help relieve pain and reduce inflammation include:

• Corticosteroid injections: Reduce inflammation and pain.
• Epidural injections: Help with pain relief, especially for conditions like sciatica or herniated discs.
   

If surgery is needed, we use minimally invasive techniques to make smaller cuts, which means less pain and faster recovery. Options like:

• Endoscopic spine surgery: A minimally invasive surgery with small incisions and faster recovery times.
• Laser spine surgery: A non-invasive procedure that uses lasers to treat spinal issues.

For pain caused by nerve issues, treatments like:

• Nerve blocks: Help reduce pain by blocking nerve signals.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to target nerves causing pain and can provide long-term relief.
   

Spinal braces or supports can be used to:

• Reduce pain: By limiting movement and providing support to the affected area.
• Stabilize the spine: After an injury or surgery.

We’ll guide you on how to incorporate these into your daily routine for better spine health. 

Once your pain improves, we’ll help you maintain spine health with long-term strategies like:

• Ergonomic adjustments: Make your work and home environments more spine-friendly to prevent future issues.
• Posture correction: Helps prevent strain on your spine.
• Regular exercise: Keeps your spine strong and flexible.
   

Spine care treatments vary based on your condition. Many conditions can be treated with simple remedies and lifestyle changes, including:

• Cold and heat therapy: Helps reduce pain and inflammation.
• Over-the-counter medications: NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) and topical rubs can help with pain relief.
• Rest: Essential for allowing the spine to heal.
• Stretching exercises: Increase flexibility and reduce muscle tension.

If your spine pain persists for more than a few weeks despite trying home remedies, it may be time to see a doctor. While only 1 in 10 people who are referred to a spine surgeon need surgery, seeking care early can help prevent the condition from worsening.

Back and neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle strain, aging, spinal injuries, herniated discs or conditions like scoliosis. In many cases, lifestyle habits such as sitting for long periods or improper lifting can contribute to discomfort.
 

Physical therapy is often an effective treatment for mild to moderate spine pain. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen your back and improve posture, reducing pain and increasing mobility. For more severe pain, our specialists can create a personalized rehabilitation plan to restore comfort and function.
 

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions to treat conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. The benefits of this approach include reduced pain, quicker recovery and a lower risk of complications. Procedures include:

• Endoscopic spine surgery: Requires smaller incisions and results in faster recovery times.
• Laser spine surgery: Uses precision lasers to target spinal issues.

These treatments help manage chronic spine pain caused by nerve issues.

• Nerve blocks: Temporarily block pain signals from the spine to the brain.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to target specific nerves and provide long-term pain relief.
   

Injections may be recommended for reducing pain and inflammation:

• Corticosteroid injections: Reduce pain and swelling in the spine.
• Epidural injections: Help alleviate pain caused by nerve compression, such as sciatica.

Both spine specialists focus on spine care but with different areas of expertise:

• Neurosurgeons: Focus on the nervous system, including the spinal cord, nerves and nerve roots. They treat conditions that affect the spinal cord or surrounding nerves.
• Orthopedic spine surgeons: Specialize in the bones, joints and soft tissues of the spine. They treat conditions affecting the spine's structure, alignment and stability.

The choice between a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic spine surgeon depends on your condition. If you have a nerve-related issue, a neurosurgeon may be best. For issues related to spinal alignment, bones and joints, an orthopedic spine surgeon may be the better choice. Both specialists offer complementary care and many patients benefit from consulting either or both depending on their needs.
 

Good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining a healthy spine. Supplements like these may be helpful:

• Calcium: Essential for bone strength.
• Magnesium: Supports muscle and nerve function.
• Vitamin D: Necessary for calcium absorption and bone health.
   

Spinal braces can help stabilize the spine after injury or surgery, limiting movement to reduce pain and promote healing. Your doctor will recommend a brace if it’s necessary for your condition.

To protect your spine and prevent future issues, consider these habits:

• Correct posture: Prevents strain and stress on the spine.
• Ergonomic adjustments: Ensure that your workplace and daily activities promote spinal health.
• Regular exercise: Keeps muscles strong and supports overall spine health.
   

Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery and the individual. Minimally invasive spine surgery typically involves a quicker recovery, with many patients returning to light activities within a few weeks. More complex surgeries may require several months for full recovery.
 

Back pain can be caused by various factors, such as:

• Muscle strain from overuse or improper lifting
• Herniated or bulging discs pressing on nerves
• Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
• Osteoarthritis affecting the spine’s joints
   

If your back or neck pain persists for several weeks despite at-home care or if you're experiencing symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness or trouble moving, it may be time to consult a spine specialist. These could be signs of more serious conditions that require specialized treatment.

In many cases, spine surgery can be avoided through conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, lifestyle changes and minimally invasive procedures. Surgery is typically considered only when other treatments don't provide relief.

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, from your lower back down through the hips and legs. It often results from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Treatment options may include physical therapy, medications or minimally invasive procedures to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Diagnosing spine conditions often involves a combination of your medical history, physical exams, and imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs or CT scans. Your doctor may also recommend nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve function.
 

During your consultation, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle. They'll perform a physical exam to assess your spine's range of motion, flexibility and any areas of tenderness. Depending on the findings, they may recommend further imaging or testing.

Yes, many herniated discs can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical options include physical therapy, pain management, steroid injections and lifestyle changes. Most people with herniated discs recover with conservative treatment.
 

Spine surgery is generally safe, especially with advances in minimally invasive techniques. However, like any surgery, there are risks. Your surgeon will explain the potential risks and benefits based on your specific condition.
 

If conservative treatments like physical therapy and medications don’t improve your back pain, your doctor may recommend additional options such as spinal injections, nerve blocks or in some cases, surgery. The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.
 

To prevent future spine problems, it's important to maintain good posture, exercise regularly to strengthen muscles, lift objects properly and make ergonomic adjustments at home and work. Staying active and stretching regularly can also help maintain spine flexibility and health.
 

If you're experiencing spine pain, your first step is typically to see your primary care doctor. They can assess your symptoms, provide initial treatments like pain management or physical therapy and guide you through the next steps. If necessary, they may refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon, depending on the nature of your condition. Starting with your primary care provider ensures you get the right care from the beginning and helps avoid unnecessary tests or treatments.