Neurologists & Back Pain

Neurologists deal with disorders of the central nervous system. This system consists of the brain, spinal cord and all of the nerves. When back pain occurs as the result of a nervous system disorder, neurologists order diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans to ease or completely eliminate the pain and discomfort.

Neurological Examinations

• Neurologists conduct thorough examinations to determine the possible causes of back pain. The neurology exam consists of a complete medical history and function tests of the cerebellum, cerebrum, cranial nerves, senses and reflexes. Neurologists also check each patient's walking gait and motor function. For patients with back pain, these tests give neurologists a starting point for ordering diagnostic tests to determine the underlying causes.

Common Tests

• Several tests help neurologists diagnose the cause of back pain. Computed tomography, commonly known as CT scanning, produces images of the bones, tissues and organs. CT scans of the spine detect cysts, tumors, narrowing of the spinal canal, herniated discs and other disorders that cause back pain. Discography involves the insertion of a thin needle into the spinal disc. The radiologist guides the needle into place and injects contrast dye into the disc space. This contrast dye outlines damaged areas of the disc. Electromyography, also known as EMG, helps neurologists diagnose spinal cord diseases and dysfunctions of the nerves and muscles. During this test, a physician inserts wire electrodes into a muscle to determine the changes in electrical voltage that occur when the muscle is at use and when it is at rest.

Neurological Disorders

• The American Academy of Neurology indicates that several acute, subacute and chronic disorders cause back pain. Acute disorders include spinal tumors, herniated discs, spinal arteriovenous malformation and epidural infection. Subacute conditions include epidural infection, transverse myelitis and spinal tumors. Chronic conditions that cause back pain include spinal tumors and cervical or lumbar stenosis.

Treatments

• The treatment a neurologist selects for back pain depends on the cause. Possible treatments include medication, physical therapy, injections and surgery. Medications to relieve back pain include acetaminophen, muscle relaxers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Severe pain may require the use of narcotics. Physical therapy involves the use of ultrasound, ice, heat, electrical stimulation and muscle-release techniques to reduce pain. The Mayo Clinic reports that cortisone injections directly into the space around the spinal cord decreases inflammation around the nerve roots.

  When other treatment options failure, neurologists may recommend surgery. Examples of surgery used to relieve back pain include disc removal, spinal fusion and partial removal of a vertebra, which is a small bone in the spinal column.

Neurologist Qualifications

• Since a neurologist works with diseases of the brain and spinal cord, search for a board-certified neurologist who has a license in good standing. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certifies physicians to treat neurological disorders such as meningitis, spinal cord tumors, multiple sclerosis and the effects of systemic diseases. Check with your state medical board to verify that your neurologist has an active license with no disciplinary restrictions.