Spine care
Spine specialists, who can be orthopedists or neurosurgeons, diagnose and treat injuries, trauma and diseases related to the spine. Spine care doctors also offer care for herniated discs, nerve damage, sciatica, neck pain or chronic back pain.
Spine specialists in Western North Carolina
Our spine doctors help diagnose and treat common and complex conditions through personalized treatments.
At Mission Health Physicians, we know the importance of restoring function to your spine. Our teams work to understand the complexities of your condition so they can implement a care plan that maximizes function, independence and daily living.
Spine conditions we treat
As a major part of your body, your spine needs detailed care to ensure it remains vital. Our experienced specialists offer that care, treating conditions such as:
- Cerebral aneurysms
- Cervical fractures
- Cervical stenosis
- Cervical tumors
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Failed back syndrome
- Fragility fractures
- Herniated discs
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Osteoarthritis
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal arteriovenous malformation
- Spinal compression fractures
- Spinal infections
- Spinal instability
- Spinal tumors
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis
- Vertebral compression fractures
Spine care treatments we offer
A healthy spine makes a major difference in everyday life. We offer individualized services to benefit your spine health, so that your daily routine can remain yours.
Diagnosing your spine condition
We take a hands-on approach to assessing your symptoms, starting with a consultation. Our physiatrists use the latest advanced diagnostic procedures, including:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scans
- Diagnostic carotid and vertebral angiographies
- Electromyography
- Fluoroscopic epidural injections
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nerve conduction studies
- Nerve root block injections
- Nerve stimulation
- Spinal biopsies
- Ultrasound guided muscle injections
- Ultrasound imaging
Our team oversees your care and works with physical therapists, neurologists, spine surgeons and other specialists. We also bring in a team of Registered Nurse Navigators to help with continuity of care and guidance throughout your specialized treatment plan.
Noninvasive and minimally invasive spine care
Our team of physiatrists, imaging specialists, orthopedic spine surgeons, physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists always opts for the least invasive spine care options to treat your back or neck pain.
We offer a variety of nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedures, including:
- Botulinum toxin injections (often referred to as “Botox,” the most common brand of this type of treatment)
- Braces for osteoarthritis
- Holistic approaches and treatments
- Large and small joint spine injections
- Non-opioid pain medication management
- Physical therapy exercises and goal specific care plans
- Spinal nerve stimulators, blocks and ablation procedures
- Trigger point injections
- Ultrasound and fluoroscope-guided spine injections
- Vertebral augmentation
Neurointerventional spine services
Our neurointerventionalists specialize in vertebral compression fractures, which occur when the bones in your spine collapse. You might be at an increased risk for this if you have osteoporosis, a bone disease that results in weakened bones. Vertebral fractures might cause severe pain and limited mobility, so it’s important to treat them quickly.
Vertebral augmentation, also known as a verebroplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows you to go home on the same day as your surgery. During the procedure, a needle is used to inject a cement-like substance into a fractured vertebrae to help stabilize the fracture.
Treatments for complex disorders
Our neurointerventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures to evaluate and treat diseases of the brain, neck and spine. These techniques have had a major, positive impact on disorders, such as:
- Acute strokes
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Carotid artery stenosis
- Cerebral aneurysms
- Chronic subdural hematomas
- Spinal vertebral tumors
Physical therapy
Your spinal issue may require physical therapy. To get your core strength and motion back, our physical therapists work with you to incorporate the most effective and up-to-date treatment techniques. Your plan will be customized for you, depending on the type or severity of your condition, including pain relief or circulation improvement.
Our physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists may use a combination of:
- Aquatic therapy
- Cranial-sacral massage
- Electrical stimulation
- Ice or heat therapy
- Neuromuscular disorder rehabilitation
- Orthopedic disorder rehabilitation
- Paraffin treatments
- Manual therapy
- Massage therapy
- Mechanical traction
- Myofascial release