What Doctor Should I See For My Back Injury After an Accident?

After hurting your back in a work-related or a car accident, you need to see a physician to help diagnose and treat your injury. But who do you go to if you live in New York? Unfortunately, not all injury doctors have the right specialty or training to handle the spine, and you may find your regular physician’s traditional wait and see approach could put you at risk for more serious complications later.

There is more than one type of care provider out there to assess your back condition properly. You also want a doctor that will have the resources available to create an effective recovery plan. In order to decide who to see and when it’s important to learn about the different musculoskeletal specialists available to treat your back injury correctly.

New York  Orthopedists

A true specialist that knows everything about the musculoskeletal system from head to toe, an orthopedic doctor is a surgeon that specializes in spinal injuries and conditions. Whether you see one of these doctors first or get a referral, they are a good choice. Typical conditions that an orthopedist treats includes:

• Ruptured discs
• Persistent back pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Muscular and ligament tears
• Spinal fusions

New York Neurologists

If you suffer from a chronic or ongoing painful back injury or condition, a neurologist is an excellent choice. Often, doctors in this specialty will collaborate with orthopaedists and chiropractors to resolve nervous system issues related to your spinal problem. These types of physicians can help your back injury heal by:

• Assessing nerve function
• Prescribe medication as needed
• Refer you to another specialist
• Collaborate with physiotherapists, orthopaedists, and surgeons for your care

New York Physiatrists

Musculoskeletal physical function and physical therapies for treatment are a key aspect of a physiatrist’s role when you need help with spinal trauma. While their approach is usually conservative, it’s not uncommon for these doctors to work with outside offices to coordinate your care. Many times, patients visit a physiatrist after receiving a referral from another spine specialist. Physical rehabilitation is the primary focus in this field of medicine and may include:

• Correcting posture
• Increasing the strength of back muscles
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Range of motion exercises
• Xrays, MRIs, CT Scans

New York Chiropractors

Chiropractic care is another popular go-to when one injures their back. Chiropractors focus on aligning the spine and loosening up the surrounding tissues so that flexibility increases. A large number of patients who suffer from lower back pain go to these professionals first. It’s also common for these specialists to partner with other service providers to create a treatment plan for your injury.

This care provider offers relief for painful:

• Joints
• Muscles
• Connective tissue
• Tendons and ligaments
• Sprains and strains in the back

Don’t Delay Seeing an Accident Doctor for Your Back Injury

The most important rule to remember is not to ignore back pain. Often, there is an underlying condition that will worsen if not treated. You could experience the degeneration of your vertebrae or suffer debilitating muscle spasms. The longer you ignore the discomfort, the more normal your body will appear, and this will lead to a lessened sense of pain, which is dangerous.

This false sense of feeling better doesn’t make the fact you are operating at a lower level of function go away. Speak to a physician as soon as possible after hurting your back to avoid devastating consequences later.