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Spine Program
Swedish Spine Specialists, part of Swedish Neuroscience Institute, is powered by a compassionate team of health professionals who deliver exceptional care and ongoing support to help you improve your quality of life. With nationally recognized surgeons and an exceptional staff of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and ancillary staff, Swedish has responded to the growing demand by cultivating a broad surgical spine program.
Back pain could be one of the symptoms of a spine condition. Our spine surgeons and specialists can evaluate your back pain to determine the best treatment for long-term relief. Our highly skilled team provides interventional and surgical spine care, and patient-education and support services in numerous locations throughout the Greater Puget Sound Area.
Specialist teams include:
- Our surgical spine specialists provide extraordinary, comprehensive care to patients with spinal conditions, and has become a regional resource for surgical spine services.
- Our pain specialists have been at the forefront of dramatically improving pain management with the introduction of new drugs, devices and treatments. Our treatment of patients utilizes the latest research and techniques.
- Our physical medicine and rehabilitation professionals are experts in treating patients with injuries, helping them to regain full function and increase their mobility and capabilities.
While other doctors might choose to perform spine surgery after an initial patient consultation, we believe that surgery isn’t the first option because it’s the most invasive treatment and requires longer recovery times. We specialize in open surgery and minimally invasive surgery by using the latest technology, such as CyberKnife for spinal tumors.
With nationally recognized surgeons and an exceptional staff of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and ancillary staff, Swedish has responded to the growing demand by cultivating a broad surgical spine program.
Our highly skilled team provides interventional and surgical spine care, and patient-education and support services in numerous locations throughout the Greater Puget Sound Area.
Whether you choose a surgical or a non-surgical option, our team will be with you every step of the way.
Prepare for your consultation and surgery.
Services offered include:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Non-Surgical options (Pain/RPM), such as physical therapy, massage therapy, epidural steroid injections and acupuncture.
- Spine surgery
Conditions treated include:
- Back injury
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disk
- Sciatica
- Sciatic nerve pain
- Severe back pain (lower back pain)
- Spinal cord and spinal column tumors
- Spine fractures
- Spine trauma
- Spinal stenosis
Preparing for Your Spine Surgery
We understand that spine surgery can be a significant event in your life. To help provide clarity and peace of mind, we’ve compiled a list of resources to guide and support you as you prepare for your surgery. Our resources also will guide you through the necessary steps to take after surgery.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, our dedicated team is here to help.
How Back Surgery Changed One Life
Cameron suffered from back pain for most of his life. Over the years, he explored many treatment options but didn't find lasting relief. When his pain became debilitating, he met with our team of experts and learned that he would need spine surgery. Watch his story to learn how surgery changed his life - and the difference expert care can make.
Tips for Managing Back or Neck Pain
Neck and back pain can keep you from doing what you love. Learn how to manage your pain, and what treatment options are available.
Providers Specializing in Spine Program
At Swedish, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following:
- It follows a serious injury or trauma, such as a fall or car accident
- Fever
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe weakness or numbness in both legs
- Unexplained weight loss
These may be signs of a more serious condition, such as a spinal fracture.
In most cases, you’ll want to talk to your primary care doctor first to evaluate your pain and review your medical history. A spine specialist can offer a more targeted diagnosis and advanced treatment options. Your PCP may suggest non-surgical treatments before referring you to a spine specialist, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections.
You should consider seeing a spine specialist if your pain:
- Causes numbness, tingling or weakness in your limbs
- Has lasted more than 4–6 weeks despite rest and over-the-counter treatments
- Started after an injury
- Radiates down your arm or leg
Patients should check with their insurance to confirm coverage before scheduling. Some insurance plans may require a referral.
Typically, you’ll need a referral and imaging completed within the last 6 months. Many insurance providers require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering specialist visits. However, some plans allow you to see a specialist without a referral.
We recommend contacting your insurance provider before scheduling to confirm your coverage and referral requirements.
Please bring the following to your first visit:
- Detailed history of symptoms and treatments, including when your symptoms started and any pain triggers
- List of questions for the care team
Being as specific as possible about your pain – including its location, severity and how it affects daily activities – will help your specialist make a more accurate assessment.
Seeking a second opinion before spine surgery is not only acceptable – it’s encouraged. Second opinions help confirm the diagnosis, ensure surgery is truly necessary and give you added confidence in your treatment plan. Respected spine care providers will support your decision to seek additional professional opinions, and many insurance plans cover second opinion consultations.
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the individual.
Minimally invasive procedures may allow you to return to light activities within a few weeks, while more complex surgeries such as spinal fusion may require 3–6 months for full recovery.
Your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan with clear milestones.
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary spine treatments and surgery. Coverage for conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections, varies by plan.
It’s important to verify your benefits, obtain any required pre-authorizations and understand your out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment.