Back Pain Specialist: Special treatment for a Special Back

Back pain, also known as dorsalgia, is a very common condition that can usually affect adults of all ages. It is pain felt in the back and mostly originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain can be classified either on the basis of time period as acute back pain or chronic back pain, or on the basis of area of the body affected, as specific back pain or non-specific back pain. Chronic back pain is not as common as acute back pain is. Nonetheless, it is very wide-spread.

In case of a back pain, the most common tendency among people is to avoid going to a doctor at all. Painkillers or other such medicines are the first preference of a majority of people. A nagging back problem generally may show us to the door of a general health physician, however, specialists are rarely considered. It is, however, advisable to consult a specialist for back pain who will prescribe the best medication for pain management.

Some specialists that one can consult in case of back pain are Orthopedists, Rheumatologists, Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiatrists etc. Since an orthopedic doctor specializes in problems of the musculoskeletal system, he/she can treat problems such as ruptured disks, sciatica, scoliosis or low back pain. Rheumatologists also specialize in musculoskeletal problems and can hence treat back and neck problems such as spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis and osteoporosis. However, if the pain is chronic, a neurologist might be the best option since neurologists specialize in determining the origin of pain. Neurosurgeons can be the next option if surgical treatment is required. A physiatrist will be able to assist one in figuring out whether the back problem is due to posture, muscles, the nervous system or the inter-vertebral discs.