Ochsner Spine Care

Ochsner's spine care team brings together physical therapists, pain management specialists, neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to deliver personalized care for neck and back conditions.

For many patients with new or ongoing back pain, physical therapy is a recommended first step to reduce pain, improve mobility and build strength. No referral is needed to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

When additional treatment is needed, Ochsner offers a full range of nonsurgical options, including injections and other pain management therapies. For patients who require surgery, Ochsner's experienced neurosurgical team uses advanced techniques and technology to provide specialized spine care with a focus on the best possible outcomes.

Ochsner's neurosurgeons, neurologists and spine specialists work together to diagnose and treat a wide range of spine, brain and nerve conditions, including:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Arthritis and degenerative spine conditions
• Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
• Brain tumors
• Bleeding on the brain: Subdural hematomas
• Migraines and chronic headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia: Severe facial nerve pain
• Chiari malformations: A condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal
• Nerve injuries
• Nerve tumors
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Pinched and compressed nerves
• Cervical dystonia: Involuntary neck muscle contractions that cause abnormal head positioning and pain

View the list of surgical conditions and related procedures.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Many patients find relief without surgery. Ochsner offers a variety of nonsurgical treatments designed to reduce pain, improve function and support recovery.

• Botox therapy for migraines
• Dry needling
• Massage therapy
• Nerve blocks
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Uses concentrated healing components from a patient's own blood to help support tissue repair and reduce pain.
• Radiofrequency ablation (rhizotomy): Uses heat generated by radio waves to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves, providing longer-lasting relief for some types of chronic neck and back pain.
• Steroid injections
• Therapeutic exercise and physical therapy
• Viscosupplementation injections: Gel injections that help cushion joints affected by arthritis, reducing pain and improving mobility.
• Iovera® cryotherapy: A nonsurgical treatment that uses controlled cold temperatures to temporarily block pain signals from specific nerves.
• Spinal cord stimulation: An implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord to help manage chronic back, leg or nerve pain.

Spine Surgery

When surgery is needed, Ochsner's team uses advanced and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to help improve outcomes and recovery times.

Learn more about our surgical procedures and offerings.

Recovery time varies depending on the type of treatment and the individual. Nonsurgical treatments may require weeks of therapy, while recovery from surgery can take several months with proper rehabilitation.

You should consider seeing a specialist if your back pain lasts over a few weeks, worsens over time or is accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, weakness or difficulty moving.

Ochsner's specialists develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique condition and health goals. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery, we focus on easing your pain and helping you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Ochsner's team includes fellowship-trained orthopedists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists and physical therapists. These experts work together to provide personalized care, drawing on their specialized knowledge to optimize your treatment, improve your quality of life and support a quicker recovery.