Home » Injuries & Treatments » Neck and Back Injury Treatments

Injuries to the back and neck are incapacitating – even mild injuries can keep a person from performing day-to-day tasks. Often, injuries to one area of the back or neck can cause pain and stiffness to other areas. Treatment options range from resting at home to surgical procedures, depending on the type and severity of the injury. This article will discuss some options available for common back and neck injuries. Bulging or ruptured disc treatment options are discussed in another article.

What are the symptoms?

There are a wide range of symptoms associated with neck and back injuries:

• Discomfort when turning your head in certain directions. This discomfort can lead to pain in other regions of the upper body, including the shoulders and back.
• Intense pain or swelling in the cervical and/or lumbar region due to pressure on the nerve roots.
• Loss of mobility, or tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes.
• Shooting pain into the arms or legs

If any symptoms continue with no sign of improvement, it is important to seek medical advice from your nearest back or neck pain treatment specialist in Brevard County.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Recent advancements in non-surgical treatment for back and neck pain appear to be responsible for a decline in the number of people unable to work due to spinal injury or pain. Non-surgical treatment options for lumbar and cervical injuries include:

• Medication
  Many back and neck injuries can be treated short-term with anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. ^[3] Medication is a temporary measure; if the pain is not resolved within three months, seek the services of a neck and back pain treatment specialist.
• Activity
  Changing sleeping and sitting positions can help to alleviate minor pain symptoms of back and neck injuries. ^[3]
• Epidurals
  Epidurals are injections that can help alleviate pain. Many who receive epidurals are often able to return to medication-only treatment. ^[2]
• Physical therapy
  Exercises can help strengthen the back and neck and speed up the recovery process after an injury. ^[4]
• Cervical collar
  The collar restricts movement and helps reduce neck pain. ^[4]
• Alternative therapies
  Acupuncture, acupressure and myotherapy (massage) may be used to relieve pain. ^[4]

Surgical Treatment

Some back and neck injuries must be treated with surgery. Fortunately, there are specialists for neck and back surgery in Brevard County, including Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay. Procedures include:

• Spinal fusion
  The surgical joining (or fusing) of vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spine. ^[3]
• Spinal decompression
  This procedure increases the width of the spinal canal to alleviate the problems of compression. ^[3]
• Debridement:
  When an infection is causing pain, this treatment may be used.^[3] Debridement is the surgical removal of sharp edges or rough areas of the spine that may rub together or touch a nerve, causing pain.
• Disc surgery
  Severe conditions involving a bulging or ruptured disc in the neck or back may need surgical treatment. (See “Bulging Disc Treatments”)

How We Can Help

Couture Law, P.A. works with a number of leading neck and back injury treatment providers in Brevard County, and can provide referrals to those who are best able to answer your questions. Below is a list of some of the specialists we work with*:

• Back and Neck Pain Treatment Specialists*

Atlantic Orthopaedic Group

1341 Medical Park Drive, Suite 201
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 768-9914

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Paul Keller

Dr. Keller is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL

The B.A.C.K. Center

2222 South Harbor City Blvd.,
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 723-7716

Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeons
Richard A. Hynes, MD, FACS, President

Dr. Hynes is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
• Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL
   

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Devin K. Datta, MD

Dr. Datta is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
• Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL
   

Neurosurgeons
Mitchell L. Supler, MD, FACS

Dr. Supler is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
• Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL
• Central Florida Regional Hospital – Sanford, FL
• Providence Saint Peter Hospital – Olympia, WA

Deuk Spine Institute

8043 Spyglass Hill Road
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 255-6670

836 Century Medical Drive
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 383-8092

6150 Metrowest Blvd, Suite 102
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 290-6322

Neurosurgeons
Dr. Ara J Deukmedjian, MD

Dr. Deukmedjian is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL
• Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL

Orthopedic Center of Titusville

1855 Jess Parrish Ct.
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 268-0291

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Joseph Rojas M.D.

Dr. Rojas is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL

Jonathan Paine, MD (Neurosurgeon)

1305 Valentine St, Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 727-2468

• Dr. Paine is affiliated with the following hospitals:
• Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL

Aaron Smith D.O. (Neurosurgeon)

5005 Port St John Pkwy
Cocoa, FL 32927
(321) 433-2247

Dr. Smith is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL

Space Coast Orthopaedic Center

220 North Sykes Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Merritt Island, FL 32953
(321) 459-1446

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Hani H. El-Kommos, MD., FRCS (C), FAAOS (Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery)

Hany F. Helmy, MD, FRCS (C), FAAOS

Dr. Helmy is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
• Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL

*Disclaimer: Couture Law P.A.’s website contains a variety of references to medical treatments and healthcare providers. These references are made solely for informational purposes and the convenience of the user. Couture Law P.A. does not control, review, approve or endorse these treatments or healthcare providers. If you decide to seek treatments or use the healthcare providers referenced, you do so entirely at your own risk. In addition, the treatments and healthcare resources referenced are in no way intended to represent an exhaustive listing or medical advice. Contact addresses, names, services and affiliations are subject to change and the user is strongly advised to independently verify all data.

Couture Law, P.A. represents neck and back injury victims in Brevard County and its major cities, including Melbourne, Titusville, Palm Bay and surrounding cities and towns.
 

• Neck Pain, MayoClinic.com
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Worker Health Chartbook 2004
• Back Pain, WebMD.com
• Neck Pain, WebMD.com