Here are a few of the back and spine professionals on the medical staff of a Texas Health hospital who are dedicated to treating back and spine pain:

• Pain management physician – With an in-depth knowledge of the physiology behind pain, this type of doctor evaluates and treats patients with a variety of pain problems. Patients often consult a pain management physician for a non-surgical pain care plan before they see a surgeon.
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation physician (also known as a physiatrist) – This doctor treats medical conditions of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Working closely with neurologists, surgeons and pain management specialists, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician looks at the big picture to improve a patient’s health.
• Orthopedic spine surgeon – This type of surgeon specializes in diagnosis and surgery for musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, fractures, sports injuries and trauma. An orthopedic surgeon can become a spine surgery specialist with spine fellowship training.
• Neurosurgeon – A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the brain, spinal cord, spine, nerves and other areas that affect the nervous system. With spine fellowship training, a neurosurgeon can also specialize in spine surgery.

When possible, physicians on the medical staff use nonsurgical treatments for your back or spine condition. These include:

• Home exercise
• Physical therapy
• Weight management
• Medications
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Bracing

Learn more about non-surgical treatment options available to address back and neck pain.

Recent advances in back and spine treatments have improved the lives of many of our patients. Physicians on our medical staff are highly experienced in the latest procedures, such as:

• Artificial disc replacement
• Anterior cervical discectomy
• Bone graft spine fusion
• Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
• Posterior lumbar discectomy
• Posterior lumbar decompression/laminectomy
• Spine fusion (anterior and posterior)
• Reconstructive surgery
• Spinal cord stimulator/neuromodulation therapy

Minimally-invasive therapies can reduce the time you spend in the hospital after surgery and allow you to heal at home. Physicians on the medical staff use these types of procedures whenever possible. They include:

• Spine fusions (using the OLIF, ALIF, TLIF and PLIF techniques)
• Endoscopic spinal surgery
• Herniated disc
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Robotic spinal surgery
• Spinal infections
• Spinal instability
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Spinal tumors

If surgery is determined a necessary step, Texas Health hospitals offer pre-surgical education materials to help walk you through the process. An in-person class is also offered at some locations.

Rehabilitation is a vital part of your recovery from back or neck pain. With physical therapy, you can improve your overall care and boost your return to a normal life.

Back and spine care programs at Texas Health hospitals offer experienced and board-certified physical therapists.

Physical therapy can:

• Help you return to a normal, active lifestyle
• Manage pain post-surgery
• Provide techniques for back pain relief that you can do on your own
• Train muscles in the back and neck to provide needed strength and stability
• Increase mobility and flexibility
• Restore proper posture and alignment

Post-surgical therapy treatment options:

• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
• Physician-directed therapy
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation