If you’ve had enough of your back pain and you haven’t been able to find relief on your own, you may have made the decision to set up an appointment with a specialist in order to treat the problem head on. But who should you call to help with your pain? Should you go to your general practitioner, a chiropractor or a spine specialist? We explain which doctor you should see depending on the type of back pain you’re dealing with.
Choosing The Right Doctor To Treat Your Back Pain
There is no perfect playbook for knowing exactly how to treat your back pain, but if you take a closer look at your symptoms and evaluate how you want to be cared for, you can end up getting the assistance you need without jumping through too many hoops. The following should act as a general guide for who to choose to see for your back pain, but again, it comes down to your needs and personal preferences.
For minor to mild cases of acute back pain, you can probably get by with a consultation at your general practitioner’s office. They’ll be able to look for the most common types of injuries, like strains, sprains and pinched nerves, and they should be able to provide some helpful advice for these types of injuries. Odds are they’ll recommend some combination of rest, physical therapy, controlled exercise and anti-inflammatory medications and send you on your way.
For more serious cases of acute back pain, or for any type of chronic back pain (longer than six weeks), your best bet is to connect with a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi. He’ll be able to conduct a physical exam, order an imaging test and even perform surgery should it progress to this point. The vast majority of cases do not require surgery, but it’s nice to stay with the same specialist from diagnosis to surgery and recovery instead of switching providers along the way. They’ll be able to care for more significant damage or more complex cases of back pain because they see these types of injuries on a regular basis, which isn’t the case for your general practitioner.
Chiropractors can provide essential care to the right type of person with back pain, but oftentimes they aren’t the best place to turn right away when you’re dealing with back pain. They can help to diagnose some musculoskeletal conditions, but oftentimes they can provide the best care when patients are referred to them after a diagnosis or imaging. Many general practitioners and spine specialists may prescribe chiropractor treatment as part of a comprehensive recovery plan, but it’s oftentimes not a standalone option and may not be your best option if you’re wondering where you should go first to help with your back pain.
Contact a Spine Specialist
So while general practitioners may be helped for mild or moderate cases of acute back pain, for severe injuries or chronic back problems, go directly to the most knowledgeable source on spine conditions and treatments. A spine specialist will oftentimes be able to help you from start to finish without having to send you to other providers for care, which can save you time and money. And if you’re wondering if Dr. Sinicropi and his team are your best option for the type of pain you’re experiencing, just pick up the phone and give us a call and ask! For appointments or answers to your questions about back pain, give his team a call today at (651) 430-3800.
