Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care — but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Learn what type of specialist to see, when to seek care, what to expect at an appointment, and which symptoms may require urgent attention. If you have questions about your specific condition, talk to your primary care clinician or a provider at OrthoNJ.
Back pain can stem from muscles, small spinal joints, discs, or nerves. Understanding your symptoms can help you determine what type of specialist to see. Different providers may take different treatment approaches, and some warning signs may require immediate medical attention.
People seek care for many types of back pain. Typical reasons include a recent injury, pain that limits daily life, pain that radiates into a leg, or pain that lasts despite home care. Your symptoms help determine which clinician to see first.
If you are unsure where to start, primary care is a good first step. They take a history, perform an exam, and recommend next steps such as home treatment, physical therapy, imaging when indicated, or referral to a specialist.
| Provider | What they treat | When to choose them |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care clinician | Initial evaluation, diagnosis, medicines, and arranging referrals | Good first visit for most new or worsening back pain |
| Physical therapist | Exercise-based care, posture and movement training, and manual therapy | When pain limits activity, but there are no red flag signs, and you can safely move |
| Orthopaedic spine surgeon | Structural spine problems, such as severe degenerative disease, deformity, trauma, or instability, and surgical treatment when indicated | If symptoms strongly suggest a mechanical spinal cause, a significant structural abnormality, or if conservative care has not helped |
| Neurosurgeon (spine) | Nerve compression, spinal cord or nerve root problems, tumors, or trauma of the spine that may require surgical evaluation | For significant or progressive neurologic symptoms, spinal cord concerns, or when surgical options are considered |
| Physiatrist (PM&R) | Nonoperative spine care, coordinated rehabilitation, injection procedures for diagnosis or relief, and long-term functional planning | When you need advanced nonoperative management or coordination of rehab and procedures |
| Pain medicine specialist | Complex pain management, image-guided injections, neuromodulation options, and multidisciplinary care plans for chronic pain | For persistent or complex pain despite therapy, or when specialized procedures are being considered |
| Emergency care | Serious injuries, suspected infection, or urgent neurologic changes | When you have severe new weakness, rapid worsening numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control |
For an appointment, bring a summary of your symptoms, a medication list, and any recent imaging reports. That helps your provider build a clear plan more quickly.
Your clinician will take a focused history and perform an exam to check movement, strength, sensation, and nerve function. They will use that information to decide whether imaging or other tests are needed. Imaging is not always required for diagnosis or initial treatment. Current guideline recommendations advise against routine imaging in the first six weeks unless there are concerning features or failure to improve, see guideline summaries such as the American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline, 2017, and the NICE guideline NG59 for details.
Certain symptoms suggest a serious problem and require urgent evaluation. If you have any of these, seek emergency care or contact your clinician right away. These red flag symptoms are highlighted in major guidelines and warrant prompt assessment.
If you have any red-flag signs, go to the nearest emergency department or call your clinician immediately. Do not wait for a routine clinic appointment if you have rapid weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, high fever with back pain, or sudden severe injury.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. Many cases improve with conservative measures. Some conditions require procedures or surgery. Your provider will explain expected benefits, risks, and typical recovery.
If back pain is limiting your life or you have worrying symptoms, contact your primary clinician or, if you are a patient of OrthoNJ, call or use the patient portal to arrange an exam. A timely evaluation helps avoid unnecessary delays and ensures urgent problems are identified promptly.
Many people improve with conservative care, and urgent symptoms should be evaluated without delay.
Contact one of OrthoNJ's locations spread out through all of New Jersey.
This treatment info is for informational purposes only. Treatment and recovery vary person to person, and you should consult with your treating physician and team for details on your treatment and recovery process.
