Are you considering a spinal surgeon for your chronic pain or spinal-related condition? You’re not alone. Over 300,000 spinal surgeries take place every year in the US alone.

However, you don’t only have to visit a spinal surgeon on the day of your operation. Spinal surgeons may be the next step to finding the proper care for your needs.

So, who is a spinal surgeon, and what are the benefits of visiting a spinal surgeon? We’re glad you asked.

What Does a Spinal Surgeon Do?

This first sounds like a silly question, but we want to clarify. Spinal surgeons are not limited entirely to the operating room.

You don’t only have to visit them to “go under” for an operation. However, if that’s what you need, then that is an option they can help you pursue.

Instead, a spinal surgeon is an expert on the human spine. Therefore, they can help you diagnose any severe issues with your spine and recommend treatment, which may include surgery. Even if not, visiting a spinal surgeon can offer plenty of benefits.

So, who should visit a spinal surgeon? Well, anyone referred by their doctor or suffers from chronic spinal issues.

If you experience chronic neck or back pain and other treatment options aren’t working, visiting a spinal surgeon can help. Here are the benefits of scheduling a consultation.

1. Diagnosing Chronic Neck or Back Pain

While the pain is self-diagnosable, the underlying cause is anything but. Different conditions, injuries, and even behaviors can lead to chronic pain in the spine, and treatments can vary dramatically.

Even common spinal issues can vary widely in symptoms and causes. Therefore, a specialist is in the best position possible to determine the cause of your chronic pain.

Moreover, determining the cause is essential for determining a long-term treatment plan. This can help avoid treatments with unwanted side effects, risks of addiction, and more.

Essentially, a spinal surgeon can help you address the root cause of your pain, not just mitigate the symptoms. Believe it or not, that treatment doesn’t have to be through spinal surgery.

2. Determining the Appropriate Treatment

Spinal surgeons are not car dealerships. They aren’t going to tell you that they’re the only ones who can solve your problem just to get your business.

Instead, they will help you determine the right treatment options for your needs, whether that means spinal surgery or:

  • Occupational therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Exercise/stretching routine
  • Behavioral therapy

Of course, there are many potential treatments for many possible conditions. This will depend entirely on your needs, which your spinal surgeon can help determine.

However, spinal surgeons aren’t typically a first stop for people with spinal issues. Therefore, you should be prepared to need surgery when choosing a spinal surgeon for an initial consultation.

Fortunately, that doctor can review your spinal surgery options directly. After a series of x-rays and tests, your surgeon can help you determine the best course of action, including surgery options and timelines.

You can continue working with the same doctor from start to finish, rather than going through a trail of referrals and delays.

3. Spinal Surgeons Offer Comprehensive Treatment

As we mentioned, spinal surgeons are experts. Not only in spinal surgery but in pain management and many nerve-related and spinal-related conditions. As a result, a spinal surgeon can offer the most comprehensive treatment plan for your condition, with or without surgery.

If you need spinal surgery, it’s best to have your spinal surgeon work with you from the beginning. Of course, your primary care doctor can send over your medical records, but there’s nothing better than working directly with your surgeon from start to finish.

Remember, spinal surgeons, offer specialized, up-to-date care from the diagnosis to your aftercare treatment. Consequently, the sooner you visit a spinal surgeon, the better.

Also, spinal issues can affect other aspects of our body unlike anything else. Our spines carry our entire peripheral nervous system, meaning spinal treatment could fix the root cause of other issues.

4. Minimally-Invasive Treatments

The sooner you get treatment, the better. Not only will you feel better for longer, but also because a spinal surgeon will know how best to treat your condition with the least-invasive procedure possible. There are now minimally-invasive spinal treatments available.

Spinal surgery has come a long way in recent years, and some procedures require little to no invasive surgery. This can save you time, money, and the risk of complications. Again, the sooner you get treatment, the less serious that treatment will be.

5. Improving Your Quality of Life

Neck and back pain can seriously damage someone’s quality of life. Daily tasks become more arduous, our focus decreases, and, well, we’re in pain. Even “mild” neck or back pain cases can reduce your quality of life.

Therefore, there’s no substitute for comprehensive, expert advice. The sooner you get the treatment you need, the sooner you can get back to doing what you love.

Consider Visiting a Spinal Surgeon Today

Now that you know some of the key benefits of visiting a spinal surgeon, schedule a consultation today. Whether they refer you to someone else or help you through the surgical process, you’ll know you’re in the most qualified hands possible. Don’t think for a second that you’ll waste their time, as treating your chronic pain should be your only priority.

Stay updated with our latest health tips and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to schedule an initial consultation.