CARE & TREATMENT IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
Don’t let back and neck pain derail your health – get help from the top-rated doctors at Spine Specialist New York!
Back and neck pain is something many people will face in life, whether you spend hours bent over your phone or computer, sleep awkwardly, or overwork your muscles on a weekend project. But when your discomfort progresses from a consistent ache to persistent, severe, or disabling pain, it’s time to get help. Why not pop in to see our experienced back and neck pain treatment in New York?
At New York Spine Specialist Chronic, the team is well aware that lower back pain is among the leading causes of disability in the United States. It affects over 4 million adults, with neck and back pain also being some of the top reasons for missed work days. If this sounds familiar, don’t wait too long to make an appointment if you want a decent chance of regaining your quality of life!
Hear what our patients say about their experiences at New York Spine Specialist on our testimonials page.
Pain can be either acute or chronic.
Acute back or neck pain occurs over the short term, typically due to stress on the spine from a sudden injury, poor body mechanics, disease, or wear and tear. In most cases, this type of pain subsides within a few days or weeks. You can rest, use over-the-counter medication, or undergo physical therapy.
Chronic pain is ongoing, often debilitating, and disruptive to daily life. Whether it comes on suddenly or not, chronic neck and back pain lasts longer than three months. Although self-care measures can help, chronic pain usually requires comprehensive pain management, including possible surgery from professionals like New York Spine Specialist.
Any kind of pain signals another problem. Your spine is vulnerable to the following conditions and more, any of which can lead to discomfort and reduced mobility:
These conditions can stem from anything from an injury to an infection, improper use, osteoporosis, and congenital conditions. Obesity can also contribute to back pain, with one study finding that 15% of overweight men report high back pain or disability.
Because of their location on the body, neck or back pain can manifest a number of symptoms. Common symptoms accompanying neck and back problems include:
Severe pain in the back may also cause loss of bladder function and difficulty walking. Symptoms that commonly occur with neck and shoulder pain include:
Have you experienced a sudden injury or trauma that affects your spine? Seek immediate medical attention.
You should also make an appointment with New York Spine Specialist when you have the following:
When you see one of our New York medical providers, they’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause and extent of your condition. The physician starts with your symptoms and medical history and then performs a variety of physical examinations, such as:
Your New York spine doctor may also order imaging or diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and electromyography. Blood tests, bone scans, ultrasounds, and nerve blocks may also be necessary in nailing down an accurate diagnosis.
Back and neck problems range from minor aches to severe disabling pain, so treatments vary accordingly. Undergoing spinal surgery is typically the last resort after all other pain relief measures don’t work out.
At New York Spine Specialist, we take a conservative approach to managing neck and back pain and symptoms of motion limitations. For instance, our physicians will often recommend that you try non-invasive measures to reduce your discomfort, increase muscle strength, improve flexibility and mobility, and increase endurance. A combination of several tactics could help, such as:
If these treatments do not make a measurable difference to your back and neck pain, your doctor will then explore surgical options.
New York Spine Specialist is home to New York’s top doctors and pain management specialists. Learn more about the team.
If your back or neck pain lingers or worsens, don’t wait to make an appointment with our compassionate medical providers at New York Spine Specialist. Call (516) 355-0111 today or schedule an appointment online. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection), and same-day appointments may be available.
Back and neck pain are common issues affecting a large portion of the population. According to Cleveland Clinic, neck pain affects 10% to 20% of adults, and the numbers for back pain are slightly worse.
According to the digital book Variation in the Care of Surgical Conditions: Spinal Stenosis: A Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care Series published in the National Library of Medicine, 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives.
Also, 26% of the population have low back pain at any given time.
Seeing a spine specialist in New York can be beneficial if you’re living with back and neck pain. We’ll cover the reasons below.
When you see one of our New York medical providers, they’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause and extent of your condition. The physician starts with your symptoms and medical history and then performs a variety of physical examinations, such as:
Your New York spine doctor may also order imaging or diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and electromyography. Blood tests, bone scans, ultrasounds, and nerve blocks may also be necessary in nailing down an accurate diagnosis.
Severe neck and back pain can be debilitating and impact your life. Fortunately, you can use several at-home remedies to reduce your pain or stop its occurrence in the first place.
Exercise strengthens the muscles in the neck and the back so that they can support your spine and keep it properly aligned. The stronger and better toned your muscles are, the less likely you are to develop neck or back pain. You can also target specific pains with certain exercises and stretches.
Stress can cause tension in your body and contribute to neck and back pain. Managing your stress through a proper diet and getting enough sleep can reduce tension and pain levels. If you have trouble sleeping, there are pillows specifically for managing back and neck pain.
Research has also found a link between smoking and neck/back pain. Smoking reduces blood flow to the joints and tissue in your vertebrae, which can cause them to degrade and cause pain. Smoking also restricts blood flow and can cause soreness and tightness in the neck and back.
Using things like smartphones, computers, or watching TV with your head tilted too high can all contribute to neck and back pain. If you work at a desk for your job, you should invest in an ergonomic office chair and computer equipment to reduce the chance of developing issues.
Research has also found that vitamin D deficiencies may cause increased rates of neck and back pain. Vitamin D deficiency induces muscle spasms and makes them more prone to cramping and seizing.
Are you heading to the spine specialist’s office for the first time? Here are two tips to keep in mind as you prepare.
With so many possible causes of neck and back pain, it can be difficult to pinpoint an underlying cause. Many people will see chiropractors, orthopedists, physical therapists, or other professionals before considering a spine specialist.
Put your medical records together to show the spine specialist the diagnosis and treatments you’ve had for your back and neck pain.
The specialist will want to know when you first noticed the symptoms. Did you start feeling your neck and back pain after an accident, or did it come out of nowhere? The answers you provide will influence the recommended treatment plan.
When self-care approaches don’t work for your back and neck pain, it’s time to consult a spine specialist. At New York Spine Specialist, the doctors in our spine center provide accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans to improve long-term outcomes.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Call New York Spine Specialist today at (516) 355-0111 to improve your quality of life. Learn more on why you shouldn’t ignore spine pain.
Only about 10% of people need back surgery for spinal conditions that cause pain. Most people find relief with consistent, non-invasive treatment alternatives.
Neck and back pain is an emergency when you experience any of the following:
Many people downplay their symptoms, but immediate medical attention could help avoid serious consequences and long-term damage.
You can get rid of neck and back pain in various ways. For example, New York Spine Specialist may suggest rest, ice and heat, compression, and elevation at home. They may also recommend prescription medication or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild to moderate back and neck pain.
If you’d like to know more about the possible causes of back spasms, be sure to ask the team at New York Spine Specialist more at your consultation.
Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back. This type of pain can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning and quality of life. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States, but there are steps to take to prevent the persistence of back pain.
Neck pain is pain that occurs in the area of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. Because of its location and range of motion, the neck is often left unprotected and subject to injury.
You should see a spine specialist if your back and neck pain has lasted longer than 6 to 12 weeks. If your pain has lasted this long, it indicates chronic pain with underlying issues.
If you have to undergo treatment for your back and neck pain, the specialist will discuss timelines with you. Some cases resolve with a few weeks of treatment, while others need more long-term management.
Specialists treat most cases of back and neck pain without surgery. You’ll only need surgery if treatment for the pain warrants moving or removing bones and soft tissue.
