- Anatomy of The Spine
- Back Pain in Children
- Caring for your Spine
- Emerging Spinecare Trends
- Evaluation of Spinal Disorders
- Exercise and The Spine
- Intervention - Spinal Disorders
- Intervertebral Disc
- Non Surgical Options
- Nutrition and Spinecare
- Options for Spine Treatments
- Pregnancy and Back Pain
- Prevalence of Spine Disorders
- Sleep and the Spine
- Spinecare Introduction
- Spinehealth and Disease
- Surgical Interventions
- Treatment with Medications
- Understanding Back Pain
Spinecare Topics
Spinecare Introduction
Specialists In Spinecare
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Specialists In Spinecare
Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons are medical physicians who have obtained additional training in the field of bone and joint disorders. The orthopedists are experienced in the evaluation and care of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic surgeon may choose to specialize in extremities and/or emphasize care of the spine. The term “orthopedic surgeon� suggests that they may only use surgery to treat spinal problems. This is not true for they also are trained and licensed to utilize medication and manage other types of care. Some orthopedic surgeons exclusively specialize in the surgical treatment of spine disorders. In cases where spinal instability is present, the orthopedic spine surgeon is well trained in spinal fusion and instrumentation procedures. Complex spinal surgeries may require a team of specialists including an orthopedic surgeon and neurosurgeon.
Physiatrist
A physiatrist is a medical physician who has obtained specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). They specialize in disorders afflicting the muscles and bones. They also specialize in the rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They are trained to administer and interpret electrodiagnostic testing. Physiatrists generally do not perform surgery. As a medical physician, they have a license to prescribe medication although they emphasize on a physical rehabilitative approach to back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Physiatrists are often asked to serve as the supervising physician for physical rehabilitation programs. Physiatrists are experienced in treating back and neck pain, and generally emphasize physical therapy or rehabilitative approaches. They incorporate the use of corsets, braces and prosthetics when required. They usually understand the role of posture and gait, and spine health. A small but growing number of physiatrists are utilizing minimally invasive procedures to treat the spine such as nerve blocks, discograms and radiofrequency ablation procedures.
Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Individuals with back pain and related disability often suffer from low self-esteem and/or depression. Psychologist may be asked to implement psychotherapy and behavioral treatment approaches to help those with chronic back pain. Both specialists are trained to help people manage and cope with acute and chronic pain. They are also experienced in pre and post-operative evaluation of the patient who may be depressed and who may have significant disabilities as the result of one or more spinal disorders. Both the psychiatrist and the psychologist are trained in administering tests that can be used to evaluate the mind-body connection as it relates to a spinal condition or pain.
Radiologist
The radiologist is a physician who is trained to review and interpret diagnostic imaging studies such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), bone scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. They generally do not see the patient and therefore rely on the information given to them by the patient’s primary care physician or spine specialist. After reviewing a diagnostic study they provide a report of their findings that is sent to the physician who ordered the study. The report includes diagnostic impressions and recommendations. A neuroradiologist is a radiologist who has gone on to specialize in the interpretation of imaging the brain and spine. Most radiologists limit their practice to reading diagnostic studies but a growing number are becoming interventionist, thus performing image-guided treatment procedures. Some neuroradiologists supervise and/or perform procedures on the spine.
Orthopedic surgeons are medical physicians who have obtained additional training in the field of bone and joint disorders. The orthopedists are experienced in the evaluation and care of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic surgeon may choose to specialize in extremities and/or emphasize care of the spine. The term “orthopedic surgeon� suggests that they may only use surgery to treat spinal problems. This is not true for they also are trained and licensed to utilize medication and manage other types of care. Some orthopedic surgeons exclusively specialize in the surgical treatment of spine disorders. In cases where spinal instability is present, the orthopedic spine surgeon is well trained in spinal fusion and instrumentation procedures. Complex spinal surgeries may require a team of specialists including an orthopedic surgeon and neurosurgeon.
Physiatrist
A physiatrist is a medical physician who has obtained specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). They specialize in disorders afflicting the muscles and bones. They also specialize in the rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They are trained to administer and interpret electrodiagnostic testing. Physiatrists generally do not perform surgery. As a medical physician, they have a license to prescribe medication although they emphasize on a physical rehabilitative approach to back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Physiatrists are often asked to serve as the supervising physician for physical rehabilitation programs. Physiatrists are experienced in treating back and neck pain, and generally emphasize physical therapy or rehabilitative approaches. They incorporate the use of corsets, braces and prosthetics when required. They usually understand the role of posture and gait, and spine health. A small but growing number of physiatrists are utilizing minimally invasive procedures to treat the spine such as nerve blocks, discograms and radiofrequency ablation procedures.
Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Individuals with back pain and related disability often suffer from low self-esteem and/or depression. Psychologist may be asked to implement psychotherapy and behavioral treatment approaches to help those with chronic back pain. Both specialists are trained to help people manage and cope with acute and chronic pain. They are also experienced in pre and post-operative evaluation of the patient who may be depressed and who may have significant disabilities as the result of one or more spinal disorders. Both the psychiatrist and the psychologist are trained in administering tests that can be used to evaluate the mind-body connection as it relates to a spinal condition or pain.
Radiologist
The radiologist is a physician who is trained to review and interpret diagnostic imaging studies such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), bone scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. They generally do not see the patient and therefore rely on the information given to them by the patient’s primary care physician or spine specialist. After reviewing a diagnostic study they provide a report of their findings that is sent to the physician who ordered the study. The report includes diagnostic impressions and recommendations. A neuroradiologist is a radiologist who has gone on to specialize in the interpretation of imaging the brain and spine. Most radiologists limit their practice to reading diagnostic studies but a growing number are becoming interventionist, thus performing image-guided treatment procedures. Some neuroradiologists supervise and/or perform procedures on the spine.
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