Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
A CT scan produces clear pictures of bones, muscles, tissue, organs, blood vessels and the brain that a regular X-ray cannot show.
Back and neck pain can originate from a variety of causes, including sprains and fractures, dislocations, stress from overuse, obesity, infections and disorders present at birth (congenital).
Back and neck pain can cause mild to debilitating discomfort that impacts your ability to move or use your arms and legs.
Your spine has five sections of vertebrae: the neck or cervical spine, the mid-back or thoracic spine, the lower back or lumbar spine, the base of the spine or sacrum, and the tailbone or coccyx. Pain generated from each area can have different causes. Some of the conditions that cause pain in these areas include:
To treat your back and/or neck pain, your physician must first determine the cause. Your physician may use a combination of:
Once your physician determines the origin of your pain, he or she can work with you to develop the best treatment plan to address your specific condition and pain.
Your spine has five sections of vertebrae: the neck or cervical spine, the mid-back or thoracic spine, the lower back or lumbar spine, the base of the spine or sacrum, and the tailbone or coccyx. Pain generated from each area can have different causes. Some of the conditions that cause pain in these areas include:
To treat your back and/or neck pain, your physician must first determine the cause. Your physician may use a combination of:
Once your physician determines the origin of your pain, he or she can work with you to develop the best treatment plan to address your specific condition and pain.
When you suffer from back or neck pain, you want relief right away. IU Health physicians use a specialized process to quickly determine the cause of your pain and treat it — often on the same day.
IU Health physicians’ collaborative approach means we have the resources, tools, devices and specialists to treat many back or spine conditions, no matter how simple or complex.
Physicians use a wide array of diagnostic technologies and imaging tests to quickly determine the source of your back or neck pain and treat it promptly.
Our affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Neurology gives you access to the latest research and newest treatments. This expertise and experience restores your original level of function or get you as close as possible.
IU Health neurosurgeons are leaders in surgical procedures used to restore joint function and preserve motion. IU Health neurosurgeons are pioneers in the use of intraoperative MRI scanner for brain and spine surgery, as well as the use of an innovative mesh bone implant to improve outcomes for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Our patient advocates work with you and your family to coordinate your care, to manage financial and health insurance requirements and to follow up with you after appointments. This makes your experience efficient and straightforward, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
We use a step-by-step, treatment ladder approach to reduce and remove your back and/or neck pain and solve the problems causing your discomfort. Medicines are often the starting point, followed by physical therapy and sometimes surgery, depending on your condition.
Your physician or neurosurgeon will use a variety of tests to look at your brain, spine and neck to diagnose the source of your back and/or neck pain. Common imaging tests include:
Your physician may decide to conduct more advanced tests to better understand your condition. These can include an electromyogram (EMG) to study nerve and muscle function, a myelogram to study your spinal cord and an arthroscopy to investigate internal joint functions.
Your physician may prescribe a variety of medicines to reduce pain and inflammation of your spinal cord. These can be taken orally, intravenously or by one of several pain management techniques.
We use a team approach at our Neurorehabilitation & Robotics lab, where we tailor physical and occupational therapy to restore you to pain-free movements and strengthen your muscles.
If regular medicines and physical therapy do not remove your pain, your physician may prescribe more advanced pain management techniques. These include:
If your physician recommends surgery to treat your back or neck pain, our neurosurgeons are experts and innovators in the latest minimally invasive procedures.
We perform image-guided surgery to generate the safest outcomes with the fewest complications. Our back and neck pain surgical procedures include:
When you suffer from back or neck pain, you want relief right away. IU Health physicians use a specialized process to quickly determine the cause of your pain and treat it — often on the same day.
IU Health physicians’ collaborative approach means we have the resources, tools, devices and specialists to treat many back or spine conditions, no matter how simple or complex.
Physicians use a wide array of diagnostic technologies and imaging tests to quickly determine the source of your back or neck pain and treat it promptly.
Our affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Neurology gives you access to the latest research and newest treatments. This expertise and experience restores your original level of function or get you as close as possible.
IU Health neurosurgeons are leaders in surgical procedures used to restore joint function and preserve motion. IU Health neurosurgeons are pioneers in the use of intraoperative MRI scanner for brain and spine surgery, as well as the use of an innovative mesh bone implant to improve outcomes for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Our patient advocates work with you and your family to coordinate your care, to manage financial and health insurance requirements and to follow up with you after appointments. This makes your experience efficient and straightforward, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
We use a step-by-step, treatment ladder approach to reduce and remove your back and/or neck pain and solve the problems causing your discomfort. Medicines are often the starting point, followed by physical therapy and sometimes surgery, depending on your condition.
Your physician or neurosurgeon will use a variety of tests to look at your brain, spine and neck to diagnose the source of your back and/or neck pain. Common imaging tests include:
Your physician may decide to conduct more advanced tests to better understand your condition. These can include an electromyogram (EMG) to study nerve and muscle function, a myelogram to study your spinal cord and an arthroscopy to investigate internal joint functions.
Your physician may prescribe a variety of medicines to reduce pain and inflammation of your spinal cord. These can be taken orally, intravenously or by one of several pain management techniques.
We use a team approach at our Neurorehabilitation & Robotics lab, where we tailor physical and occupational therapy to restore you to pain-free movements and strengthen your muscles.
If regular medicines and physical therapy do not remove your pain, your physician may prescribe more advanced pain management techniques. These include:
If your physician recommends surgery to treat your back or neck pain, our neurosurgeons are experts and innovators in the latest minimally invasive procedures.
We perform image-guided surgery to generate the safest outcomes with the fewest complications. Our back and neck pain surgical procedures include: