Neck & Back Care

Most neck and back pain improves with non-surgical care first, physical therapy, targeted injections, and activity changes. Surgery is only considered when conservative treatment does not relieve pain or when there are signs of nerve damage.

See a specialist if pain lasts more than a few weeks, radiates into your arms or legs, or comes with numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking. Sudden severe pain after an injury also warrants a prompt visit.

We treat herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, general neck and back pain, and more, using treatments ranging from physical therapy to minimally invasive spine surgery.

Many patients feel improvement within a few weeks of starting physical therapy or injection-based treatment. More complex cases may take longer and benefit from a personalized treatment plan.

An orthopedic spine specialist or a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) doctor is the right type of doctor for most back pain. At OrthoArkansas, both work on the same spine team alongside spine surgeons, so if your back still hurts after four to six weeks of rest and home care, one visit can steer you to the right level of treatment. Imaging is often not needed at a first visit. Call 501-500-3500 to schedule.

Pain that flares when you sit is often linked to the discs in your lower back, while pain that builds when you stand or walk is more often linked to the joints of the spine or narrowing of the spinal canal. Getting up every 30 to 45 minutes, using a chair with lower back support, and taking short walks during the day help many people. If the pattern hasn’t eased after a month, an OrthoArkansas spine specialist can examine you and find the cause.

It may be worth seeing a spine specialist, especially if the arm pain lasts longer than two weeks or comes with weakness. Pain, tingling or numbness that travels into the arm can mean a nerve is being pinched, often by a disc or bone spur in the neck. Our spine specialists can help find the cause and recommend treatment, usually starting with non-surgical options.

Most neck pain from sleeping wrong or long hours at a screen fades within a few days to a week. Gentle range-of-motion stretches, heat or ice, and raising your screen to eye level usually help. Neck pain that lingers past a month, follows a fall or car accident, or comes with headaches or arm symptoms is worth having checked by an OrthoArkansas spine specialist.

Many cases of sciatica improve within four to six weeks with activity changes and physical therapy. If leg pain is severe, lasts longer than six weeks, or comes with weakness or numbness, it may be worth seeing a spine specialist. OrthoArkansas treats sciatica with options that can include physical therapy, targeted injections and, when needed, minimally invasive surgery.

Go to the emergency room right away if back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin area, sudden leg weakness, or fever, or if it follows a serious fall or accident. Back pain that wakes you up at night, comes with unexplained weight loss, or keeps getting worse week after week isn’t an emergency, but it should be checked by a doctor soon.