Orthopedic/doctor for back pain
I've had some chronic lower back pain for a couple years now, I'm pretty sure I know when I injured it, but never went to the doc... just been living with it. But it's getting worse, and I want to see someone. Anyone have a recommendation for a local ortho?
And by local I also mean within 30 minutes or so, like Morristown.
I've only been to one ortho in my life, for some chronic neck pain (which turned out to be caused by lyme disease), and we didn't get along almost instantly- he wanted to operate from the first moment. I'm not looking for a cutter, I'm looking for someone who will help me figure out what's wrong, and what *I* can do to help it, not disregard me as soon as I say I don't want an operation (which is what the last guy did- a young doc over on Bilby Rd.)
JeffersonRepub My husband and I have used Dr. James Reid for a variety of issues for years. Neck, back, shoulder, knee and elbow. He's a real no nonsense kind of Dr. that isn't in a rush for surgery. He always outlines multiple options and allows you to choose which route you want to go. He is with Coordinated Health out of Bethlehem, PA, but also has an office on Red School Lane in Lopatcong. Good luck to you, back pain can be a nightmare.
Calico696 I had great luck with Dr. Alena Polesin. Her office is in Cedar Knolls on Hanover Ave. spinesportsandpaincenter.com. I had severe sciatic pain several years ago and she worked with me through physical therapy and epidurals. She is not a surgeon. She's a physiatrist so her therapies never involve surgery but I suppose that, should she feel surgery is warranted, she'll refer you.
Certain symptoms (drop foot for example) require surgery. My first back issue in 2001 involved that and surgery corrected it.
Good luck
Dr Bob I would go see this guy instead he’s a miracle worker
https://www.healthgrades.com/providers/anthony-delli-santi-ycdkg
Drew JR ,
I saw Dr. Murphy on RT. 46 across from Target a few years ago for shoulder issues. I liked him very much. Definitely doesn’t push surgery. Only drawback is you wait a very long time in the exam room for him to come in.
Feel better whomever you go see - good luck!
Suze re: chiropractic... (Drew mentioned a chiro above)... it can be a very bad idea, IF you have something structural going on (like a herniated disk)... I don't have anything against chiros, but I certainly won't let one crack me until I know I don't have something anatomical causing the issue... a fracture, a herniated/bulged disc, spinal stenosis...
The last chiro I went to did not even x-ray me.. BAD IDEA.
I had a back doc tell meI needed surgery for a disc issue or I would likely be looking at life in a wheelchair not far down the road.....went for a 2nd opinion, was advised to look into inversion therapy......that was over 10 yrs ago !
I have an inversion table and a total gym ….go for x rays and mri's then review with 2 different docs.....review what they say and try to make a decision you think is the best for you.
After all the advances in technology and medicine, it is still called "practicing medicine", they all profess to be specialists .
Good Luck !
steven Steven,
My sister actually has an inversion table. My only problem with them is, I don't have the room for one! LOL But yes I'm familiar with the therapy.
I've have chronic neck problems for years (turned out to be lyme disease), so I have been the route of research, reading, doctors, PT, x-rays, MRIs.... with my neck. Surgery is rarely warranted, often doesn't help, and certainly isn't guaranteed. I have NO desire to be cut open. Surgery is a wonderful thing, but for back pain, it does not have a good "track record".
Has anyone used the McKenzie Method (exercises) for their back pain? It is apparently the gold standard PT for back pain.
Here's a weird website to assess surgical outcomes; unfortunately back issues not searchable, but knee, spinal cord, and femur fractures are. Seems if you are good at one, you may be good at others.....
Probably won't be your lead selection tool, but may help you confirm your selection. I like my guy, but his surgical outcomes do not make the grade.
You may find yourself going West, based on the orthopedic results here. I was surprised at that. Wish they covered back issues for you.
https://www.checkbook.org/surgeonratings/default.cfm
strangerdanger Thanks, SD.
I'm certainly not against surgery in general; it's just that with all the research I've done, surgical outcomes for spinal problems are marginal at best. The one ortho I saw for my neck pain, he identified a bone spur in my cervical spine... I had already done my research, so I was ready:
"can you tell me that the bone spur is what's causing my pain?"
"no."
"can you tell me if you remove the bone spur that it will cure my pain?"
"no."
"Thanks for being honest at least. Have a nice day."
Through both physical therapy exercises, massage, and the big one was finding out I had chronic lyme and GOT TREATED for it, the neck pain virtually disappeared. No surgery was ever necessary. But surgeons CUT. It's what they do. It's like the old story of "The Scorpion and the Frog"- it's THEIR NATURE.
"Has anyone used the McKenzie Method (exercises) for their back pain? It is apparently the gold standard PT for back pain."
That was the type of physical therapy that my physiatrist recommended. I was in agony when I started PT but within 6 weeks, the pain was gone and I haven't had an episode in 7 years. I would highly recommend it. (Unfortunately, the therapist I used at the time retired and moved South)
Thanks Dr Bob. I actually bought one of McKenzie's books (will be here tomorrow), something for me to look into as I start this whole rigamarole of going to a doc, getting x-rays, yada yada yada...
Going through some severe back pain as well. Try youtubing lower back pain relief exercises....theyve helped quite a bit as I've been consistently keeping up with them. Recently bought an inversion table as well and it's helped tremendously.....hanging upside down like a bat 4 times a week......whodathunk!!
Anthony Tri-County Orthopedics, based in Cedar Knolls, has a few satellite offices. Great team of doctors.
Bemused I just looked up what the McKenzie Method is. It seems so simple but clearly effective. I experience some lower back pain at times and have used those exercises with success as well. I too have an inversion table that I use occasionally with positive results. I will say however I recently shaved 37 pounds over the summer and clearly feel much less discomfort in my back for sure.
Greg JeffersonRepub,
I market for a Physical THerapy Plus across from Target and am in and out of doctors offices frequently. I would recommend an ortho who is spine specific. A great group is
https://www.theadvancedspinecenter.com/
and I would HIGHLY recommend both Dr Naseef and Dr Castro. A friend of mine is with Dr Castro currently and the doctor doesn't want to operate but is trying to treat in a non-invasive way. Who ever heard of a surgeon that doesn't want to operate? Now that's a beautiful thing!
I wish you luck with your pain and if it is PT that you need, be sure to look us up!
All the best,
Diana
Diana F If you have neck pain, I would suggest a water pic shower massage head for your shower...that should offer you some relief.
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