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Vertebrologist

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021

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The vertebrologist is a qualified specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Answering the question, who is a vertebrologist, it is necessary to distinguish specifically the diseases of the spine - one of the most urgent problems that can affect any person regardless of age. As is known, the treatment of such diseases belongs to the competence of neurologists and orthopedists. However, a new branch of medicine has recently emerged that studies the effect of an individual vertebra on the body as a whole. And it is the vertebrologist who is involved in the examination and treatment of the spine.

When should I go to the vertebrologist?

If a person is at least occasionally disturbed by pain in the spine, he will certainly be interested in the question of when to turn to the vertebrologist. If you are suffering from headache, discomfort and tenderness in the neck, in the thoracic or lower back, most likely the cause of this ailment is the problems with the spine, and it is in this case that the vertebrologist will come to the rescue. There are also a number of other symptoms that may require the help of this specialist. Among them are the following:

Frequent back pain, and also their strengthening;
Irradiation of back pain to other parts of the body;
Weakness and tingling sensations in the hands or feet;
Feeling of weakness, fatigue;
Decreased motor activity of the spine;
Pain in the region of the heart (with normal ECG results);
Sudden increases or sharp drops in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, headache, increased heart rate;
Rachiocampsis.

What tests should I take when I visit a vertebrologist?

If there are pathologies of the spine, it will be superfluous to find out which tests to pass when addressing a vertebrologist. When performing a comprehensive examination, the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid using lumbar puncture, the study of rheumatoid factor, the analysis of the presence of lupus anticoagulant in the blood, the analysis of antinuclear antibodies, and also the general indicators of blood and urine are also studied.

What diagnostic methods does the vertebrologist use?

Speaking of diseases and treatment of the spine, it should be mentioned which diagnostic methods the vertebrologist uses. For the diagnosis, the vertebrologist uses the methods of X-ray examination, computer and magnetic resonance imaging, and also performs ultrasound. These methods of diagnosis, thanks to modern technology, provide an opportunity to study the condition of tissues in detail, which allows you to determine the root cause and source of pain most accurately.

What does the vertebrologist do?

To better understand what the vertebrologist is doing, it is necessary to distinguish between the problems of the musculoskeletal system and diseases associated solely with the effect on the body of malfunctions with the spine. The problems that arise as a result of the lesion of the spine are the sphere of research of the vertebrologist. It is this specialist who studies the influence of each individual vertebra and deals with the treatment of spine diseases. In medical practice the vertebrologist uses such methods of treatment as magnetotherapy, vacuum therapy, acupuncture, massage, manual therapy, phonophoresis and electrophoresis, laser therapy, medicinal applications, therapeutic gymnastics, etc.

What diseases does the vertebrologist cure?

Given a fairly large number of all possible pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to distinguish which diseases the vertebrologist is treating.

herniated intervertebral disc;
narrowing of the spinal canal;
change in the shape of the spine;
neoplasm of the spine;
spine trauma;
deviation of normal development of the spine;
various degenerative pathologies of the spine.

Advices of a vertebrologist

For prevention, as well as successful treatment of diseases of the spine should follow the advice of a doctor-vertebrologist.

Evenly distribute physical activity: when lifting weights, keep your back straight, avoid physical overload.
Daily perform simple gymnastic exercises for the spine.
Balanced and fully eat.
Maintain a normal body weight.
If you have to stay in a sitting position for a long time, do a little workout.
If you have pain in the spine, do not start the disease and seek help from a specialist in a timely manner.

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