Your spine is one of the most essential parts of your body. The parts of the spine and spinal cord work together, enabling you to stand and move freely while protecting your spinal cord. If any part of your spine, spinal cord or musculoskeletal system is not working optimally, perhaps due to strain or injury, your ability to function normally and your overall quality of life may be affected. And when that’s the case, it could be time to see a spine specialist.
But what exactly does a spine specialist do?
Rest assured we have you covered. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a Spine Specialist?
A spine specialist, as stated in the title, is essentially someone who focuses on issues related to the health of the spine and overall musculoskeletal system. Any condition that affects the spine, spinal cord, discs, muscles, nerves and joints, they may be able to help with, working to support your mobility, help reduce your pain and generally work towards restoring a good quality of life.
They will see a plethora of patients from those struggling with general back issues to those with bad posture, nerve inflammation and painful joints. One of the most interconnected parts of the body, issues with the spine can extend to a variety of places in the body. A spine specialist’s role is to understand the root cause of the problem and provide treatment approaches that may help ease your symptoms and support your overall health.
They have the knowledge and experience to utilise a range of approaches to address your condition including gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, rehabilitation exercises, lifestyle guidance and more. This will be curated specifically for your needs, based on the information they have from your initial assessment, examination and scans.
Note: At Elite Spine Centres, our specialists are chiropractors or osteopaths who hold specialised post-secondary degrees and specialise in spinal health and neuro-musculoskeletal care.
5 Signs You May Need to See a Spine Specialist
When thinking of issues with the spine, most people associate them with aches and pains in the back. But this is not always the case. Your spinal cord is attached to every part of your body which means that spinal dysfunction can cause a diverse range of symptoms. Here are some common symptoms that suggest you may benefit from seeing a spine specialist.
- You are experiencing numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, legs or feet.
- You notice that your fingers and hands struggle with simple tasks that used to be easy such as writing or doing buttons.
- You have persistent pain in your back or neck.
- You notice that your spine is less aligned, leading to uneven shoulders or hips.
- You struggle with bowel or bladder function which could be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the groin area.*
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you visit a healthcare professional to check for and address any underlying issues before they worsen.
*Bowel or bladder dysfunction with numbness should be evaluated by a medical doctor urgently as this may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
What to Expect at a Spine Specialist Appointment
If you have never visited a spine specialist before, it can feel like an overwhelming process. But rest assured that all of the stories you hear of painful adjustments, ineffective treatments and expensive sessions are just common myths. Here’s what to expect at a spine specialist appointment.
- Discussing Your Medical History: You should be prepared to dive into your medical history with your specialist. This could be any past treatments or surgeries that you’ve undergone as well as a discussion of your current pain symptoms, and sharing relevant details about your work and lifestyle.
- Undergoing a Physical Examination: Your specialist will likely look to perform a physical examination during your appointment to better understand your structure and mobility, and where root causes of your symptoms are coming from. This will help them to identify potential treatment approaches going forwards.
- Creating a Treatment Plan: A spine specialist will create you a plan for both short-term and long-term care. They will run you through their plan to ensure that you understand and are able to follow the treatment as intended.
Raising any Questions or Concerns: Your spine specialist will also create time in your sessions to ensure that you are well and to answer any questions or concerns that you have.
Top Tips When Seeing a Spine Specialist
Before your spine specialist appointment, it can be advantageous to write down a list of your symptoms as well as any treatments that you’ve tried. This will ensure that they don’t waste time repeating any approaches that haven’t been effective for you. When collating your list, try to describe the pain such as whether it’s dull or sharp, and the activities or movements that aggravate it.
Remember that honesty is the best policy here. Your spine specialist will work to identify potential underlying causes for the issues that you are having. Honesty helps ensure that your treatment approach is appropriate for your needs.
To summarise:
- List your symptoms before heading to your appointment.
- Take note of any treatments that you have already tried including pain medication.
- Always be honest.
How to Find The Best Spine Specialist Near Me
Once you have decided to visit a spine specialist, the first step is finding a clinic that you trust. Here are a few things to consider during your search:
- Credentials including any certifications.
- Reviews from previous and existing patients.
- Proximity and transport links.
- Experience in the industry.
- Their approach to treatment and education.
Finding a clinic that you trust for your treatment is advantageous because it helps ensure that you will keep up with any treatments, freely air your concerns or queries, and feel relaxed during your appointments.
Speak to the Experts at Elite Spine Centres
Do you have concerns about your spine or the surrounding areas? Get in touch with the experts at Elite Spine Centres. Our specialists are here to curate personalised treatment plans that may help ease any aches and pains that you are feeling. Covering a variety of conditions including back, neck pain and shoulder pain, headaches and migraines, sciatica, slipped discs and much more, you are in safe hands with our team.