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Back, Neck & Spine

Where Lower Back Pain Begins

The Spine, Neck & Back

Symptoms of Spine, Neck and Back Pain

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of spine, neck or back pain, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible before your injury or condition worsens:

  • Disruption of sleep due to pain
  • Persistent achiness or stiffness in the lower back after sitting for an extended period of time
  • Stiffness of the neck and shoulders, especially in the morning
  • Sudden, sharp pain in a localized area of the back
  • Pain that affects posture while sitting, standing, or walking
  • Joint pain or swelling in the neck and shoulders
  • A popping noise or feeling in the back after straining or heavy lifting
  • Weakness, numbness, tingling, and clumsiness of the arms and legs
  • Loss of balance when walking
  • Incontinence
  • Sensory disturbance/sensitivity of the arms and legs

The Spine

The spine is a highly complex and critical component of the human body, protecting the spinal cord while offering strength, structure, and flexibility. The spine’s ability to provide support and mobility simultaneously makes it more susceptible to injury. Since spine injuries can affect virtually any body part, there is a wide range of conditions and injuries encompassed by spine pain, thereby causing a wide range of symptoms. From scoliosis and stenosis to sciatica and herniated discs, spine pain can be the result of a serious condition. 

Our spine experts at Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists understand that damage to the spinal cord is not only disruptive but potentially devastating to those affected. Spine conditions and injuries should be examined by a spine specialist for prompt and proper diagnosis. We specialize in a variety of back, neck, and spine procedures, which include:

Neck Pain

Pain in the neck is most commonly the result of four main causes: trauma to the cervical spine, poor posture, muscle strain, or degenerative disc disease. Pain from injuries, overuse, and wear and tear can last for a few hours or days, or it can be a chronic problem that lasts for weeks or years.

In the event of a traumatic incident, whiplash can occur, which is when the neck is distorted or jerked by sudden force.

If you are experiencing cramping or tightening of the lower neck muscles, your neck pain may be emanating from poor posture or a muscle strain. Though not all sources of neck pain involve injuries, the severity of pain can gradually escalate with long-term diseases and conditions such as osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, a disease involving inflammation of the spinal joints.

When left untreated, a neck condition or injury can cause further damage, and you could be left dealing with chronic pain. In some cases, pain in the neck can be a sign of a serious medical condition, and specialized treatment should be sought to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made.

Back Pain

As one of the more common ailments afflicting Americans, lower back pain can be categorized as acute, lasting only for a few days, or chronic, if your discomfort is persistent and ongoing. The majority of back pain symptoms stem from inflammation due to overuse or an acute injury of the muscles, joints, or tendons from a slip or a fall, or set in and become worse over time due to your age, loss of muscle elasticity, or loss of bone strength. Other causes of back pain include, but are not limited to, osteoarthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformities, and fractures. Understanding and adhering to proper posture and lifting techniques can help decrease your chance for sustaining a back injury, such as a fracture, herniated disc, or strained muscle.

Nonsurgical Remedies

You may experience some low back pain relief through nonsurgical remedies, such as massages, acupuncture, rest, and heat applications, but if your pain persists, back surgery may be necessary.

Conditions We Treat Include

Treatments Include

Why choose Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists?

Working exclusively with the back, neck, and spine, our surgeons integrate all aspects of specialized care by collectively combining their knowledge, experience, and expertise as the foundation of our Spine Center at Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists.

Our three board-certified orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Powers, Dr. Shuster, and Dr. Tomov, are fellowship-trained in spine surgery and have dedicated their practices to this specialized field of study. With their commitment to continued education through attending courses, lecturing, writing, and actively learning the newest procedures and techniques, our three surgeons are the most highly skilled back, neck, and spine surgeons in the area.

With the focus of providing our patients with a seamless movement across a continuum of back, neck, and spinal care, our surgeons are accompanied by two pain management specialists and an anesthesiologist.

Patient Consultation

Prior to your consultation, new patients will be asked to complete forms, which include medical history, demographic, and insurance information. This information, along with any current diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI), will be utilized by your doctor to help in your diagnosis and treatment plan.

To consultation with one of our spine doctors, please request an appointment online, or call 509-444-6325.

Schedule an Appointment

To consult with one of our spine, neck and back doctors, please request an appointment online, or call 509-444-6325.

Make an Appointment

Appointment Resources

Once you have scheduled your appointment with one of our spine, neck and back doctors, please use the link below to obtain our new patient forms and browse through our tips and suggestions on preparing for your appointment. 

Preparing for My Appointment & New Patient Forms

“Had an ALIF procedure. Although the surgery process isn't fun, Dr. Shuster was very professional and did an excellent job of explaining everything.” — Dawn D.

“Many years ago, I had a ruptured disc in my lower back. The pain was very bad, and I could not move without severe and very sharp pain. My wife had been a nurse and knew of Dr. John Shuster and his reputation in treating back injuries. I visited him in his office, and after his determination that I needed to have the disc repaired with surgery, he set the time and told me I could return home. One problem, I could not bend over to put my shoes on. I told Dr. Shuster what my problem was, and he immediately dropped to his knees and put my shoes on for me. That act of kindness touched my heart. The surgery was successful, and I have been able to get along fine since then. More recently I have needed treatment in my hands and wrists as arthritis has begun to take it's toll. Another visit with NWOS has helped me greatly and convinced me that your doctors and staff are still very kind and helpful. This last visit with Dr. Anderson was very pleasant, and I will look to him should I have any more problems with arthritis in my joints. Thank you.” — Harold K.

Dr. Dawley and his excellent staff have been managing my back pain for three years. They are always so accommodating, professional and efficient that I actually look forward to each visit as I consider them to be friends. I usually receive the pain treatment every four to five months and have never had a bad experience or a treatment that did not immediately reduce my pain level. They have restored my life and I am extremely grateful for their care. I would advise everyone facing a back operation to ask for a referral to Dr. Dawley prior to surgery. I understand that this treatment might not be as effective for everyone but for me it has turned out to be one of the best medical decisions I ever made.” — Clyde R.