Home / Spine

Spine Care

Relief for neck and back pain

Back and neck pain can come from a disc, a joint, a nerve or a muscle, and the right treatment depends on which. Our spine specialists find the source, start with conservative care, and offer surgery only when the evidence says it will help.

Request an Appointment Find an office

When to see a spine specialist

Don't wait if you notice

Most back pain settles within a few weeks. See a specialist if you have any of the following.

Back or neck pain lasting more than a few weeks
Pain that travels down an arm or leg
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet
Trouble walking or standing for long, relieved by sitting or bending forward
Hand clumsiness or problems with balance
Pain that keeps you up at night or hasn't improved with rest and therapy

Conditions by region

From the top of the neck to the tailbone

The spine has 33 vertebrae in four regions. Here's what we treat in each.

Cervical · NeckC1–C7

Neck pain & stiffnessMuscle strain or joint problems in the neck, often with headaches or pain into the shoulders.

Cervical disc herniationDisc material pushes out and presses on a nerve, causing arm pain, tingling or weakness.

Pinched nerve (radiculopathy)Nerve irritation that sends pain, numbness or weakness down the arm.

Cervical myelopathyPressure on the spinal cord in the neck, causing hand clumsiness, balance problems or leg weakness.

Cervical stenosisNarrowing of the spinal canal in the neck from arthritis or disc changes.

Whiplash & neck strainSoft-tissue injury from a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head.

Thoracic · Mid-backT1–T12

Mid-back painMuscle strain, joint irritation or posture-related pain between the shoulder blades.

Compression fracturesCollapsed vertebrae from trauma or osteoporosis, causing sudden back pain.

KyphosisAn excessive forward rounding of the upper back.

ScoliosisA sideways curve of the spine, in teens (adolescent idiopathic) or adults (degenerative).

Lumbar · Low backL1–L5

Low back painThe most common spine complaint, from muscle strain to disc and joint problems.

Lumbar disc herniationA ruptured or bulging disc in the low back that presses on nearby nerves.

SciaticaSharp, shooting pain from the low back down the buttock and leg along the sciatic nerve.

Lumbar spinal stenosisNarrowing of the spinal canal that causes leg pain or heaviness when walking or standing.

Degenerative disc diseaseAge-related drying and thinning of the discs that can cause chronic back pain.

SpondylolisthesisOne vertebra slips forward over the one below it, narrowing the space for nerves.

SpondylosisGeneral wear of the spine, with disc thinning and bone spurs that crowd the nerves.

Sacral · PelvisS1–S5

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunctionInflammation or abnormal motion where the spine meets the pelvis, causing deep low back and buttock pain.

Tailbone painPain at the base of the spine, often after a fall or prolonged sitting.

Treatment options

A step-by-step approach

Most spine problems improve without surgery. Your plan may include:

Evaluation & imaging

A focused spine and neurological exam, with X-ray or MRI when needed to pinpoint the problem.

Physical therapy

Core strengthening, posture work and nerve-glide exercises to relieve pressure and prevent flare-ups.

Activity & posture guidance

Changes to how you sit, lift, sleep and work that take load off the painful area.

Medication

Short courses of anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing medication when appropriate.

Bracing

Temporary support for certain fractures and painful conditions.

Spine surgery

For nerve or spinal cord compression, instability or deformity that doesn't respond to conservative care.

When surgery is the answer

Spine procedures

Decompression (laminectomy)Removes bone or tissue pressing on the spinal cord or nerves to relieve stenosis.
Discectomy & microdiscectomyRemoves the part of a herniated disc that is pinching a nerve, often through a small incision.
Anterior cervical discectomy & fusion (ACDF)Removes a damaged neck disc from the front and fuses the vertebrae to relieve arm pain and spinal cord pressure.
Cervical disc replacementReplaces a damaged neck disc with an artificial disc to preserve motion.
Lumbar fusionJoins two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine for spondylolisthesis, instability or deformity.
Minimally invasive spine surgerySmaller incisions and less muscle disruption for many decompression and fusion procedures.

When to seek emergency care

Go to the emergency room for back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, rapidly worsening leg weakness, or severe pain after a major fall.

FAQ

Spine questions

Will I need surgery for a herniated disc?

Usually not. Most disc herniations improve over weeks to a few months with therapy, activity changes and time. Surgery is considered for severe or worsening weakness, pain that doesn't improve, or signs of spinal cord compression.

Do I need an MRI for back pain?

Not always. Most back pain improves without imaging. We order an MRI when symptoms point to a nerve or spinal cord problem, or when pain hasn't improved with conservative care.

Is my leg pain coming from my back?

Pain that travels down the leg, especially below the knee with numbness or tingling, often comes from a pinched nerve in the low back. Our exam helps tell spine pain apart from hip or vascular problems.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Spine surgery done through smaller incisions with less disruption of muscle. It can mean less pain and a quicker recovery for the right patients.

Tired of living with back or neck pain?

Request an appointment at any of our six New Jersey offices. Our team will call you back to confirm a time.

Request an Appointment Our locations