A spine specialist is a health professional who focuses mainly on treating spine conditions. Common specialists include chiropractors, physiatrists, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management physicians, anesthesiologists, and many rheumatologists and neurologists. Selection of the most appropriate type of health professional—or team of professionals—largely depends on the nature, severity, and duration of a patient’s symptoms.

Getting a referral to an appropriate spine surgeon may not always be as straightforward as it may sound. The difficulties are due to several issues.

While there is no source of clear-cut criteria to compare spine surgeons, there are a number of ways patients can evaluate the surgeon they are being referred to.

Finding the right spine surgeon can increase the odds of getting a correct diagnosis and the right procedure. Learn what to ask during your spinal surgeon search.

The distinguishing characteristics of osteopathic medicine include its focus on treating the whole body and its focus on the musculoskeletal system...

Pain management and pain medicine specialists who treat chronic back pain and neck pain, including anesthesiologists, physiatrists, and more.

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