The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that 80 percent of adults experience low back pain at one point in their life. Back pain can start instantaneously due to an accident or it can develop as years go by due to old age. A sedentary lifestyle could also bring about back pain.
Some back pains are short-term, essentially lasting only a few days to weeks and resolving itself without any loss of function. But then there are persistent pains, which could signal an underlying medical condition and relief is gained only through a back pain doctor NYC residents who may suffer from chronic back pain can use this guide to find the right specialist and end the debilitating, recurring agony.
Look for the right back pain doctor.
Back pain doctors have different backgrounds and training, which mean you will get varying treatments.
Physical therapists provide structured exercise but some therapists have completed training in spine work so they may offer more substantial treatment.
Chiropractors have trained broadly so they not only provide spinal manipulation and different techniques for neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, but also dispense nutritional recommendations and therapeutic exercises.
Osteopathic physicians, on the other hand, focus on whole body treatment and neuro-musculoskeletal manipulation. They can also perform surgery.
There are also neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, for more serious cases.
Then there is the back pain center, which provides multispecialty treatments. At this kind of clinic, you get your back pain evaluated thoroughly through a number of innovative diagnostics equipment. If you’re not entirely certain about the cause of your back pain, a multispecialty clinic might yield better results.
Arrange a first visit to the clinic.
While you can find a back pain doctor even without leaving your home because of the Internet, the clinic’s website is not entirely the best way to gauge the capabilities of your doctor. You would still need to meet with your specialist personally.
An initial consultation will give you better insight into the doctor’s approach to treating back pain and, of equal importance, is his or her personality. For chiropractors or osteopaths, especially, you need to know if you’ll feel comfortable during treatments since hands-on manipulation is involved.
You should also consider how your doctor communicates. Is your condition explained in a patient and easy manner? Do you feel like you’re being rushed all through the consultation? Are options for your treatment presented well?
Finally, consider the quality of the clinic. Ideally, you will want to see state-of-art equipment with sufficient facilities. This indicates that you will get innovative treatments that could help you recover faster and better.
