Back and Spine

Back and Spine Center

About 80% of Americans will have back pain during their lives. But, for many, the pain and discomfort are more acute and may benefit from treatment. The nationally ranked Ochsner Back and Spine program offers the region’s best care for back and neck pain so you can get back to doing what you love.

Why choose Ochsner for back and spine care?

The Ochsner Back and Spine Center brings together award-winning medical experts from disciplines like orthopedics, neurosurgery, pain management, rehabilitation and psychiatry in our state-of-the-art facility. No more going from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic. Your Ochsner Back and Spine Center team will jointly create a treatment plan individualized to you, your pain and your goals.

You’ll have access to a comprehensive team of experts including orthopedists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists, physical therapists, addiction specialists, and more all in the same clinic.

Healthgrades rated the Ochsner Back and Spine Center as a top spine program in the United States with 5 stars.

Advanced procedures

Back and spine pain shouldn’t always equal surgery but when surgery is indicated Ochsner’s Back and Spine surgeons are experts in minimally invasive and advanced surgical approaches, giving our patients better results and quicker recovery times.

Take a virtual tour of back and spine physical rehabilitation

Our multidisciplinary approach

A team of physicians, surgeons and other healthcare professionals dedicated to back and spine treatment work together to deliver the most effective treatment and support available. Through our back and spine program you’ll have access to a comprehensive team of fellowship trained including orthopedists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists, physical therapists and more. We provide our patients with specialized knowledge that can make all the difference in treatment, quality of life and recovery.

Meet Our Team

Schedule an appointment

It’s important to us that you can access top care when you need it conveniently. Call to schedule an appointment today! Referring physicians, may also contact our clinic at the number(s) below.

New Orleans: 504-842-2000

Baton Rouge: 225-761-5200

Slidell/Covington: 985-875-2727

For referring physicians, contact Ochsner Clinic Concierge, our dedicated physician referral line at 1-855-312-4190.

Neck and back pain
Degenerative diseases of the spine
Spinal deformities
- Complex adult spinal deformity
- Complex pediatric spinal deformity
- Chin on chest deformity
Scoliosis
Sagittal imbalance (when the spine is curved in such a way that you cannot stand up straight)
Kyphosis (an exaggerated, forward rounding of the upper back)
Cervical and lumbar disc herniations
Traumatic spinal fractures
- Cervical fractures
- Thoracic fractures
- Lumbar fractures
Spinal infections
Tumors
- Spinal tumors
- Metastatic (cancer that has spread) and primary tumors
- Tumors arising from neural structures
- Tumors affecting the spinal column
Chiari malformations (structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum)
Nerve injuries and nerve tumors
Carpal tunnel and other nerve entrapment neuropathies (conditions in which a nerve becomes compressed, or entrapped between two other structures in the body)
Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
Spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spaces in your spine)
Cervical dystonia (rare movement disorder that causes neck muscles to contract involuntarily)
Sacroiliac joint pain (oain arising from the sacroiliac joint is one of the potential causes of low back pain)
Spondylolisthesis (when one of the bones in your spine — called a vertebra — slips forward and out of place)
Migraines
Trigeminal neuralgia (a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head)
Spinal infections

Nonsurgical treatments:

Botox therapy for migraines
Dry needling
Iovera – cryotherapy
Massage
Nerve blocks
Platelet-Rick Plasma
Radiofrequency ablation/rhizotomy
Steroid injections
Therapeutic exercise
Viscosupplementation injections

Surgical treatments:

Discectomy
Disc replacement
Kyphoplasty
Laminectomy
Minimally invasive spine surgery
Robotic spine surgery
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion
Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal fusion
Spinal reconstruction
Vertebroplasty

Low back pain effects two thirds of adults at some point in their lives. It is one of the top 10 reasons to go to the doctor.
Back pain is scary, sudden and painful but does usually improve. It is usually benign and is not caused by a serious underlying disease.
Ninety-five percent of back pain is mechanical, meaning something makes it worse (most commonly bending and sitting).
- If bending makes it worse, extension stretches can be helpful.
- If standing makes it worse, stretching can be helpful.
- You can find details on these stretches and more in ''Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie.
Moving is the best medicine, even if it hurts. Bed rest is not recommended for back pain. Early return to daily activities leads to less chronic disability.
Early involvement in physical therapy can decrease the likelihood of acute low back pain becoming chronic.¹
Back pain is a complex issue to diagnose. A definite diagnosis for back pain cannot be made for nearly 85% of patients at the initial visit.
Medicine such as muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories can be helpful. Narcotic pain medicine is not recommended for back pain.

Featured Specialties

The Future of Ochsner Neuroscience Institute

Ochsner Health is proud to announce the future new Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Center. This 132,000-square-foot facility will soon be home to the nationally ranked Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, bringing 25 national renowned programs under one roof. This will be the only major neuroscience institute between Houston and Atlanta, serving as a catalyst for innovation in the field of neurosciences for the patients of the Gulf South.

Learn More

Explore Neurology Clinical Trials

Explore our clinical trials in neurology and neurosurgery.

Explore Our Trials

Therapy & Wellness

Our certified therapists help improve your quality of life by increasing strength and function, reducing pain and restoring normal movement, to help you stay in motion and feeling great.