Spine (Neck & Back)

Orthopedic Treatment for Neck Pain, Back Pain, & Nerve Pain

Your spine supports your body, protects your nerves, and helps you move through daily life. When something is wrong in your neck or back, simple things like walking, sitting, lifting, working, or sleeping can become painful.

Iowa Specialty Orthopedics provides spine care for neck pain, back pain, sciatica, pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other spine conditions. Treatment may include physical therapy, medication, injections, or advanced spine surgery when needed.

Our orthopedic spine team evaluates your symptoms, explains what may be causing your pain, and builds a treatment plan focused on pain relief and long-term function.

Request an Appointment

What Does a Spine Specialist Do?

A spine specialist diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the neck, middle back, lower back, spinal discs, joints, bones, muscles, and nerves.

The spine has three main areas:

• Cervical spine: the neck
• Thoracic spine: the middle back
• Lumbar spine: the lower back

Pain does not always stay in one place. A problem in the neck can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand. A problem in the lower back can cause pain that travels into the hip, leg, or foot.

Common Spine Conditions

Condition or Symptom	What It May Feel Like
Herniated or bulging disc	Back or neck pain, often with pain, numbness, or tingling into an arm or leg.
Pinched nerve	Sharp, burning, or radiating pain with possible weakness, numbness, or tingling.
Sciatica	Pain that starts in the lower back or hip and travels down the leg.
Spinal stenosis	Pain, numbness, or weakness caused by narrowing around the spinal cord or nerves.
Degenerative disc disease	Ongoing neck or back pain from wear and tear in the spinal discs.
Spinal arthritis	Stiffness, aching, and reduced movement in the neck or back.
Spondylolisthesis	Pain caused when one spinal bone slips forward over another.
Scoliosis or kyphosis	Abnormal spine curves that may affect posture, comfort, or movement.
Vertebral compression fracture	Sudden or ongoing back pain, often linked to injury or osteoporosis.
Neck or back strain	Muscle pain, stiffness, or soreness after lifting, twisting, or injury.

Patient-Centered Back Pain Treatment in Iowa

At Iowa Specialty Orthopedics, we work to find the cause of your back pain, not just cover up the symptoms. Once we understand where the pain is coming from, we can recommend the right treatment plan.

Neck Pain & Pinched Nerve Treatment

Neck pain may come from muscle strain, poor posture, arthritis, disc problems, or a pinched nerve. Sometimes neck pain stays in the neck. Other times, it spreads into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.

You may need spine care if you have:

Treating Sciatica & Leg Pain From the Spine

Sciatica is nerve pain that often starts in the lower back or hip and travels down the leg. It may feel sharp, burning, electric, or like a deep ache.

Sciatica is often caused by pressure on a nerve in the lower back. This pressure may come from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, bone spur, or other spine condition. AAOS explains that sciatica may happen when pain starts in the lower back or hip and radiates down the back of the thigh and into the leg.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Many cases can improve with nonsurgical care, but lasting or worsening symptoms should be evaluated.

Non-Surgical Spine Treatment Options

Many neck and back problems can be treated without surgery. Our team often starts with conservative care when it is safe and appropriate.

Nonsurgical spine treatment may include:

The goal is to reduce pain, improve strength and flexibility, and help you return to daily activities with more confidence.

When Spine Surgery May Be Needed

Spine surgery is not the first step for most patients. In many cases, neck and back pain improve with nonsurgical treatment. Surgery is generally considered only when other treatments are not effective.

Surgery may be considered if you have:

If surgery is needed, our orthopedic spine surgeons use advanced techniques with the goal of reducing pain, restoring function, and helping you return to the quality of life you deserve.

Advanced Spine Surgery & Procedures

Iowa Specialty Orthopedics offers surgical care for patients who need more advanced spine treatment. Your surgeon will explain your diagnosis, treatment choices, possible risks, and expected recovery in clear terms.

Common spine procedures may include:

Your care plan will be based on your pain, imaging results, health history, and goals.

Acute, Subacute, & Chronic Back Pain

Back pain is often grouped by how long it has lasted.

Acute back pain lasts a short time, often a few days to a few weeks. It may happen after lifting, twisting, falling, or overuse.

Subacute back pain lasts more than 4 weeks but less than 12 weeks. It may need evaluation if it is not improving or if symptoms interfere with daily life.

Chronic back pain lasts longer than 12 weeks. Chronic pain can make it hard to work, sleep, exercise, or enjoy normal activities. A spine specialist can help find the cause and recommend treatment options.

When Should You See a Spine Specialist?

You should consider seeing a spine specialist if neck or back pain is not improving, keeps coming back, or affects your daily life.

Schedule an appointment if you have:

Seek urgent medical care right away if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, new weakness in the legs, numbness in the groin area, fever with severe back pain, or severe pain after major trauma.

Personalized Spine Care in Iowa

No two spine problems are exactly the same. A treatment that works for one person may not be right for another.

At Iowa Specialty Orthopedics, we take a personalized approach to neck and back care. We focus on your symptoms, your goals, and your daily needs. Our team uses both nonsurgical and surgical options to help relieve pain, restore movement, and protect your spine health.

Request an Appointment

Let’s DISH about Spine & Neck Surgery

Spine, Neck, and Back Care FAQs

What causes neck and back pain?

Neck and back pain may be caused by muscle strain, arthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fractures, pinched nerves, scoliosis, or injury.

What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve happens when a nerve is irritated or compressed. It may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that can travel into the arms or legs.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is nerve pain that often starts in the lower back or hip and travels down the leg. It may be caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other pressure on a nerve.

Can spine pain be treated without surgery?

Yes. Many spine conditions can be treated with nonsurgical care such as physical therapy, medication, injections, exercise, and activity changes.