Back pain is more common than you think. There are some backaches that can be cured with painkillers and simple exercises. However, if it gets worse, it is best to see a specialist that can give you some relief. Some of us tend to save costs by signing up for various programs and eBooks created by professionals such as the Back in Action Program by Kimberly Clark, a program that is recommended by several general doctors with proven results to cure backaches. Seeing a specialist is on the pricier side, which not everyone will be able to afford, thus, they turn to online sources that are generally cheaper. Depending on the type of pain you have, there are certain specialists that are trained specifically to cure different backaches. If you have the budget, here are some of the trained specialists you can go to make an appointment with them:
1. Physiatrists
Physiatrists are a type of holistic-minded provider that specializes in physical rehabilitation and medicine. They offer rehabilitation techniques for patients that have gone through a stroke, experiencing lower back pain and other types of sports injuries. A fun fact about how physiatrists exist was due to the overwhelming return of vets during World War II as they sustained many injuries which had to be treated. Some of the injuries include spine injury, brain injury and amputees. To this date, physiatrists are spread across different areas, namely, sports medicine, paediatrics, brain injury or geriatric medicine.
2. Chiropractors
Among all of the back pain specialists available, chiropractors are usually the ones most people go to. Chiropractors help patients to align their spines. Although there are many chiropractors around, ensure you choose one that has proper certification. The reason being one wrong move could potentially harm your body and could cause death as well, especially since the spine is our body’s central support. You should also go for a chiropractor that is honest with his work. Some tend to boast about their achievements and make you believe they are qualified enough to improve your alignment. However, these claims may not be true.
3. Neurosurgeons
Neurosurgeons specialize in conditions and diseases found in the central nervous system as well as the peripheral nervous system, which are the nerves that branch out from your spine. In some cases, neurosurgeons will perform surgery on the spinal cord, on the spine itself or the brain. They are highly trained to diagnose and provide treatment for the spinal cord, nerves, brain, spine, intraspinal vasculature or intracranial.
4. Neurologists
A neurologist specializes in treating and diagnosing the nervous system, spinal cord, brain, nerves, muscles such as strokes and headaches. They are trained to examine in detail the neurological structures found in the body. Some of these include muscular strength and movement, nerves of the head and neck, reflex testing and balance testing. Neurologists typically perform their clinical examination by using CAT scans and MRI/MRA scans. These tests help to provide a detailed image of the spinal structures, brain and blood vessels. In short, neurologists may treat problems that involve the nervous system in many ways through medication. In situations whereby surgery is needed, they will not do the surgery but refer the patient to a surgeon instead.
5. Orthopedists
An orthopedist specializes in the problems occurring around the musculoskeletal system, which includes the spine. Some of the conditions an orthopedist would treat are scoliosis, ruptured discs, as well as other types of lower back or neck pain. Orthopedist surgeons primarily focus on the treatment and diagnosis of sports injuries, spinal disorders, arthritis, fractures and trauma. Orthopedist surgeons generally perform procedures such as discectomies, spinal fusion and many more.
6. Physical therapists
Physical therapists are legally trained to test and measure the patient’s strength, motion, coordination, balance, muscle performance, respiration, posture and motor function. Patients who lack strength, flexibility or endurance would require exercise in order to make use of their muscles. Physical therapy treatments help patients to increase and improve their range of motion or flexibility. There is also passive physical therapy which helps to reduce the pain or swelling by the use of ultrasound, hot or cold packs and electrical stimulations. In addition to that, physical therapists assist patients in handling adaptive or assistive devices such as crutches.
