What is Neck and Back Trauma?
From the moment you step foot into the Back Pain Clinic, we are ready to diagnose your pain and get started personalizing your treatment plan.
Back and Neck Trauma Assessment
As part of your comprehensive evaluation, your provider will perform a physical exam and review your medical history. With this information, they can find the source of pain and form a plan of treatment with you. Depending on your needs, you may be referred to other specialties as appropriate or recommend medications for quick relief.
Diagnosing Neck and Back Trauma
Not all patients need physical therapy, and your provider will likely recommend surgery as a last resort. After your initial back or neck pain evaluation, additional tests may be required to determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment for you.
- Diagnostic imaging, like X-ray or MRI can be helpful in finding the cause of pain by revealing areas in the neck or back where the nerves or spinal cord might be pinched by bone spurs or other problems.
- An electromyography (EMG) can help determine whether neck pain might be related to a pinched nerve.
- Blood tests can show signs of inflammation or infection that could be contributing to neck or back pain.
The most common types of mild to moderate neck and back pain usually respond within two to three weeks of treatment. At the Iowa Clinic, our coordinated care model makes it easy to be referred to multiple specialties, all under one roof.
Pain Management for Neck and Back Trauma
Pain management is an integrated approach to making pain tolerable by learning physical, emotional, intellectual, and social skills. This may include exercise, physical therapy, medication, holistic therapies, and counseling. With these methods, we can help you stay in control of your health.
For diagnostic imaging, like X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI – the radiologist in our Medical Imaging department is ready to support you. Plus, with direct connection to your provider team, you get a clear view into cause and treatment for your back or neck pain.
Neurological & Spinal Surgery
When surgery is recommended to relieve your back or neck pain, our team of board-certified surgeons works to detail options and potential outcomes to help make your decision.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
By treating pain, discomfort, and limited range of motion in your neck or back pain with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), your provider uses the relationship between your neuromusculoskeletal system to work through issues in your muscles and joints. Common techniques include gentle pressure, stretching, and resistance and can complement treatment or even replace medication or surgery.
Physical Therapy
To help relieve pain, physical therapy often introduces passive and active therapies to build strength, properly stretch and increase range of motion for back and neck issues. Passive therapies may include ice, heat, or ultrasound while active therapist include strength and stabilization exercises.
Partner Services
Trusted partners offer chiropractic care, acupuncture, or physical fitness treatments to support your pain relief.