2. Who is the Best Neck and Back Doctor Near Me?

To find the best back doctor near you, start by learning about their training. Primary care doctors have generalized courses of study, whereas pain specialists have additional training in interventional pain management, which translates to more advanced treatment modalities with minimally invasive techniques.

Unlike a “spine surgeon near me,” a “spine specialist near me” who is board certified in pain management views surgery as a last resort, something reserved for back pain that can’t be solved with the multitude of innovative solutions they possess. The best spine specialist is the one who seeks to do as little harm as possible, avoiding complicated and dangerous medicines and procedures. They favor cutting-edge, effective strategies like Lumbar Epidural, Sacroiliac Joint Injection and Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation.

Be sure your doctor specialized in pain and trained at a prestigious university that’s at the forefront of medical research. The pain doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists are leaders and pioneers in interventional pain relief, holding multiple degrees and certifications form several Ivy League institutions.

3. What Doctor to See for Herniated Disc vs. Arthritis?

Since there are many sources of back pain, you might wonder which “spine doctor near me” treats your particular condition, like herniated discs, sacroiliac joint conditions, and the many forms of arthritis. Some doctors have certain specialties. Doctors of neuropathy treat disorders of the nervous systems, whereas orthopedic doctors treat disorders of the structural systems.

But pain specialists are trained to treat pain stemming from multiple systems. In addition, their interventional training makes them experts at not only finding the source of your pain, but determining how your different systems affect each other to manifest pain.

For example, with Spondylolisthesis, the initial problem stems from the skeletal system- a vertebra in your spine slips forward over the bone below it. But the pain is expressed in the nervous system when it compresses nerve roots. The pain and numbness can extend into your legs and even impact bowel or bladder control. The complexity of this type of back pain extends beyond the spine, which makes a pain specialist uniquely qualified to address the condition. Since your spine supports your entire body, a pain specialist is able to address pain in ways other back doctors cannot.

4. Is a Chiropractor a Medical Doctor?

If you’re asking friends for a “spine doctor near me,” you may have heard some suggest a chiropractor. But there are some important differences between a chiropractor and a back pain specialist. The term “doctor” typically refers to someone who is an MD (Doctor of Medicine), having completed a 4-year pre-med degree, a 4-year medical school degree, a 4-year residency, licensing, and often additional internships and fellowships.

Chiropractors are not MDs. They are DCs (Doctors of Chiropractic), having obtained a 4-year undergraduate degree and a 4-year degree from a chiropractic program at an accredited institute. They are licensed but vary in their residency experience.  They are registered chiropractors, not registered medical practitioners. There are over 100 different chiropractic methods, so there is not a universality to their methods.

Another key difference between pain specialists and chiropractors is that chiropractors studied the spine, and that’s where they focus. However, pain specialists have a depth of study in how the spine interacts with other systems in the body and take a more holistic approach to pain care. Chiropractors study the joints, whereas pain specialists study the causation, proclivities, and manifestations of pain. A pain specialist often holds certifications in multiple fields in addition to pain management, such as anesthesiology and palliative care.

Treatment modalities are quite different with chiropractors and back pain specialists. Chiropractors work with their hands, manipulating the spine, but they cannot prescribe medicine or perform non-invasive procedures or surgery. Pain specialists have more tools at their disposal, and more medical training in managing pain.

5. Back Specialist NJ vs. Back Pain Specialist NJ- Different?

With so many similar titles- back doctor, back pain doctor, spine specialist, spine doctor, back specialist, back pain specialist- you might wonder who has the best medical advice. A back specialist might have studied the spine, but they may only be qualified for certain treatments- spinal manipulation, physical therapy, or surgery, for example.

In contrast, a back pain specialist has not only studied the anatomy and biology of the spine, they have also completed additional studies on how to safely treat pain with minimally invasive solutions. Pain specialists differ from back specialists in their depth of study and expertise on pain.

At Pain Treatment Specialists, our pain experts have also completed additional studies, yielding double and triple board certifications in complementary fields. They are uniquely qualified to address pain from all angles, providing the most comprehensive relief.

Back Pain Doctor Edison NJ or Spine Doctor Orlando- #1 Tip

Whether you’re seeking a back pain doctor in Orlando, New Jersey, New York, or Wisconsin, the #1 tip remains the same. Start with a back pain specialist to find the true source of your pain. They’ll help you get the quickest and most complete relief, and they’ll avoid invasive procedures and addictive medicines.