NWOS Back Neck Spine

Back, Neck & Spine

  1. Specialties
  2. 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.

Conservative Treatments

You may experience some low back pain relief through conservative treatments, such as OTC pain medication, rest, ice/heat applications, massages, physical therapy, chiropractic care, but if your pain persists, interventional pain management or spinal surgery may be necessary to provide you relief.

Conditions We Treat Include

Treatments Include

Why choose Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists?

Working exclusively with the back, neck, and spine, our team integrates all aspects of specialized care by collectively combining their knowledge, experience, and expertise.

Our spine team, including orthopedic spine surgeon and interventional pain specialist Dr. Timothy Powers, interventional pain specialists Dr. Patrick Soto and Dr. Ryan Burklund, and physician assistant Ryan Lysne, 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 team is focused on getting you relief and back to the activities you love.

Schedule an Appointment

To consult with one of our back, neck, and spine providers, please request an appointment online, call our main line at 888-660-2663, or call our interventional pain department at 509-340-0459.

Request an Appointment

Appointment Resources

Once you have scheduled your appointment with one of our providers, please use the link below to prepare for your appointment. 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 provider to help in your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Preparing for My Appointment

Urgent Appointments

If you're experiencing new or worsening back or neck pain, and would like to be seen for an exam immediately, you can utilize one of our three Express Walk-in Clinics in North Division, South Hill, or Spokane Valley. There they can do an initial exam and x-ray if needed, and refer you to one of our spine specialists if your condition requires.

Patient Reviews

"Dr. Powers is very, very excellent at diagnosing and treating back pain. He’s fun to talk with and always greets patients with a smile. He listens well and will explain treatment options. I just really like and trust him. He’s been my back doc for over 8 years, and I’ve been so happy with my results!"

"OMG...I have had the best experiences thoughout my appointments at NWOS: Nurses, doctors and staff alike. The last 2 apts were with Dr. Tim Powers. Great sense of humor and interested in me/my life. He is adept, extremely competent and a very skilled communicator, having schooled me through my situation and diagnosis. He has set an all-time high standard for everyone to come. Thank you Dr Tim!!"

"Dr Soto is so professional and caring. He takes time to ask questions and explains the procedure in layman's terms. During the surgery he lets you know what to expect and is so gentle and kind."

"I've been utilizing Dr. Burkland and his team for around 3 years. They are unparalled for their service, talent, team, and, most importantly, results. Truly the best. Ill never leave them. Dr. Burkland goes beyond the call."

"Ryan Lysne was very attentive listening to me, then explaining the findings of the LS MRI. He followed all protocol sending me back to physical therapy, with a return for spinal injection if indicated, then surgery if pain not managed."

"Excellent office an staff. Great service. Dr. Powers was very helpful in explaining my problem. He an the staff took excellent care of me. Feel luck to get such great care."

"I've been seeing Dr Soto for several years for back/ neck pain, and he is fantastic at finding ways to reduce pain. He has always listened to my concerns and made sure I was comfortable and not anxious. He and everyone at Northwest Orthopaedic have always treated me well; from the time I walk in, until the time I leave, I know I'm in great hands.
Thank you Dr Soto and all the wonderful people at NWOS!"

"Dr Burklund has been my long term pain management doc, I really appreciate the time he takes to to explain everything that's going on. This is my 2nd time doing RFA's under sedation with Dr Burklund. Being under sedation makes it so much easier to have 8 needles stuck in my low back. We used to do it with just a freezing spray, my muscles would be so tight he could barely get the needles through to where they needed to be. With sedation, and our long history, Dr Burklund knows exactly what I need. I highly recommend his services."