Back & Neck Pain

If you’re experiencing pain in your back or neck and it’s limiting your mobility or interfering with everyday tasks, Essentia Health’s spine care specialists can help. We’ll assess your symptoms and create a comprehensive treatment plan to help address your concerns as quickly and safely as possible.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe, persistent headaches
• Dull, sharp, or burning pain in the back or neck that can be isolated in one area or spread over a large area
• Leg pain, numbness, or tingling
• Aches or stiffness that occurs anywhere along the spine
• Sharp radiating or shooting pain in the lower back that moves down the buttocks and down into the leg
• Aches and stiffness in the center or lower part of the back, especially when sitting for extended periods of time
• Arm numbness or tingling
• Shooting pain or dull aches in the neck

The pain you experience could be linked to the following conditions:

• Cervical and Lumbar Degenerative Disease (when one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine breaks down due to wear and tear)
• Spine Fracture
• Degenerative Disc Disease (discs between vertebrae lose cushioning)
• Back Pain
• Myelopathy (injury to the spinal cord due to severe compression)
• Neck Pain
• Osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis)
• Disc Herniation (a problem with a rubbery disc between spinal bones)
• Radiculopathy (irritation or injury to a nerve root that may result in pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the part of the body that is supplied with nerves from that root)
• Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (a spinal disorder in which a bone slips forward onto the bone below it)
• Spondylosis (a general term for age-related wear and tear of the spinal disks)
• Sciatica (pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back)
• Scoliosis (sideways curve of the spine)

During your first visit, your Spine Care provider will:

• Conduct a clinical evaluation
• Ask how your pain affects your daily life
• Discuss your goals for care
• Explain your treatment options
• Work with you to develop a personalized care plan

We will work with you to create a personalized care plan. Depending on your needs, your spine care team may include:

• Physical Therapist
• Pain Medicine
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Spine Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Spine Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
• Chiropractic Care
• Nurse Navigator
• Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

Your team will find the best treatment plan for you.

Non-Surgical:

• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic Care
• Home Exercises
• Imaging & Diagnostics
• Injections

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Whenever possible, your surgeon will use techniques that are less invasive than traditional surgery. This means you may have a faster recovery with less pain, smaller scars, and a lower risk of complications.

We strive to provide you with the highest value of care and most patients with back and neck pain improve without surgery. Many insurance providers require members to complete non-surgical options such as physical therapy prior to pursuing surgical options. It’s important to check with your insurance provider about what’s covered under your plan.

Follow-up with the spine program after completion of the initial treatment plan and as needed throughout the process.

Access to a nurse navigator is available to help coordinate your care and help answer any questions you may have.

Service offering varies depending on location.