New York Bone & Joint’s spine specialists provide internationally-renowned care for our patients suffering from spinal pain and injuries. Our team has decades of experience in interventional and preventative care for a range of spinal problems, from accidental injury to lifelong issues.
Spine pain can be debilitating and make handling daily activities a problem. Back injuries and conditions can restrict movement, reduce flexibility, and have a lasting effect on your joints if not treated correctly.
Our team of spine doctors are located in New York, but we treat patients from across the globe who travel to our offices to work with our renowned team. We try to treat all conditions non-surgically, meaning we use a range of exercise, preventative treatments, and leading science to help you recover.
Here’s how our orthopedic spine specialists can help diagnose and treat your pain.
What are the causes of spinal pain?
Spinal pain affects many people and can significantly impact your quality of life. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective treatment and long-term recovery.
Common causes include:
Degenerative Conditions
Age-related wear and tear is the most frequent cause of spinal pain. Conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis develop gradually as cartilage breaks down and discs lose their cushioning properties between vertebrae.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
When the soft inner material of spinal discs pushes through the outer layer, it can compress nearby nerves, causing pain that may radiate down the arms or legs. This condition often results from heavy lifting, sudden movements, or gradual disc deterioration.
Muscle Strain and Ligament Sprains
Overexertion, poor posture, or sudden movements can strain the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine. These soft tissue injuries are particularly common in the lower back and neck regions.
Structural Abnormalities
Conditions like scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis create abnormal spinal curvatures that can lead to pain, muscle imbalances, and reduced mobility. Some people are born with these conditions, while others develop them over time.
Traumatic Injuries
Car accidents, falls, sports injuries, or other trauma can cause fractures, dislocations, or severe soft tissue damage to the spine. These injuries often require immediate medical attention and specialized treatment.
Nerve Compression
Conditions like sciatica occur when spinal nerves become compressed or irritated, often causing sharp, shooting pain that travels along the nerve pathway from the spine to other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of spine pain?
Spinal pain symptoms can vary depending on the location, severity and underlying cause of the issue. Identifying symptoms early can make recovery easier and faster. However, even if you’ve been suffering from spine pain symptoms for years, it’s possible to begin healing with the right approach.
Some of the symptoms to be aware of include:
Localized Pain
Pain may be confined to a specific area of the spine, such as the neck, mid-back, or lower back. The pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations, and may worsen with certain movements or positions.
Radiating Pain
Pain that travels from the spine to other parts of the body, such as down the arms or legs, can indicate nerve involvement. You might also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected limbs.
Stiffness and Reduced Mobility
Difficulty bending, twisting, or moving the spine normally can significantly impact daily activities. Morning stiffness that improves with movement often suggests inflammatory conditions.
Muscle Spasms
Involuntary muscle contractions in the back or neck can cause intense pain and further limit movement. These spasms often occur as the body’s protective response to injury or inflammation.
Neurological Symptoms
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet may indicate nerve compression or damage. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation to prevent potential permanent damage.
Postural Changes
Visible changes in posture, such as leaning to one side or difficulty standing upright, can indicate structural problems or severe muscle imbalances that require a spine doctor’s evaluation.
Sleep Disturbances
Chronic spinal pain often interferes with sleep quality, leading to fatigue and reduced ability to cope with daily activities. Pain that worsens at night or prevents comfortable positioning requires evaluation.
Why we’re considered the best orthopedic spine specialists in NYC
New Yorkers have depended on our spine surgeons for many years, and here’s why:
- Prioritizing Spinal Health: Our primary focus is ensuring your spinal well-being to fundamentally support an active and healthy lifestyle.
- Offering Complete Care Solutions: We cover every step from diagnosis to full recovery, with our dedicated pain and spine specialists delivering expert support across diverse spine conditions.
- Providing Effective Non-Surgical Treatments: Over 90% of spine problems are successfully treated through our orthopedic methods, frequently eliminating the need for surgery.
We are dedicated to your comprehensive recovery, utilizing both conservative treatments and expert surgical intervention when required.
Read our patient reviews below.
How do our New York spine specialists treat pain?
Our primary focus is on non-surgical methods for spine pain recovery, providing comprehensive support throughout your treatment journey. Surgical intervention is reserved for cases where necessary, although our spine specialists are all highly proficient surgeons.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options Include:
- Rest and Activity Modification: Abstaining from activities that exacerbate the condition, combined with gentle exercises to preserve mobility.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises aimed at improving strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Medication Management: Ranging from over-the-counter pain relievers to more potent medications for acute pain management.
- Inflammation Reduction: Applying ice to recent injuries and inflammation, and utilizing heat for muscle stiffness and chronic pain.
- Supportive Devices: Temporary aids, such as braces or corsets, may be advised to provide stability to the spine during the healing process.
Additional Treatment Possibilities:
- Injection Therapies: For significant or persistent discomfort, corticosteroid injections are available. These can deliver pain relief for several months.
- Surgical Procedures: Complex injuries, like spinal fractures, often require surgery. Procedures such as spinal fusion or disc replacement might be needed for appropriate healing. Our surgical team has extensive expertise in performing a wide variety of invasive treatments.
What are some of the conditions our orthopedic spine specialists treat?
Our spine specialists at New York Bone and Joint are highly skilled in treating numerous back conditions, including (but not limited to):
- Back And Neck – Spine Care
- Back Pain & Strain
- Endoscopic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Facet Joint Syndrome
- Lower Back Pain
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Muscle Spasm
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- Scoliosis, Kyphosis & Lordosis
- Spinal Fusion Surgery
- Spondylolisthesis
- Torticollis
- Total Disc Replacement
- Vertebral Compression Fractures
Our best-rated pain and spine specialists
New York Bone & Joint Specialists prioritizes your long-term joint health and function, ensuring complete peace of mind with top-tier care. We are dedicated to preserving natural bodily structures, enabling 90% of our patients to recover without surgery, and fostering lasting joint well-being.
Our team of expert spine doctors includes both surgical and non-surgical experts in the back and neck. The team includes Fabien D. Bitan, MD, the chief of spine surgery at Northwell-Lenox Hill Hospital. Dr. Bitan is internationally recognized as one of the very best spine surgeons in the world.
Michael Y. Mizhiritsky, MD, co-founder of New York Bone & Joint Specialists and a leader in non-surgical spine management, is also a member of our renowned New York spine specialists.
We bring decades of experience to the treatment of spinal conditions, mobility problems, and injuries, delivering highly specialized care.
