Almost 40% of adults experience back pain in any given year. It’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. When you have back pain, it can be confusing which type of professional to see.
Two common choices are a chiropractor or a pain management physician, like Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, of Expert Pain in Houston, Texas.
While both professionals have plenty to offer when it comes to back pain care, they serve different purposes.
Understanding the difference can help you choose the right provider for your specific situation.
Chiropractors focus on the alignment and movement of the spine and joints. Their care usually involves hands-on spinal adjustments and manual therapies designed to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.
Chiropractic care may be helpful for:
Many patients find relief with chiropractic treatment, especially when pain is mild to moderate and not associated with nerve symptoms or underlying spinal conditions.
As a pain management physician, Dr. Skaribas is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex pain conditions. His approach focuses on identifying the source of pain and using evidence-based treatments to reduce symptoms and improve function.
Here at Expert Pain, Dr. Skaribas can:
This comprehensive approach is especially important when your pain is persistent, worsening, or affecting daily life.
Chiropractors primarily focus on improving spinal alignment and movement through hands-on adjustments and manual therapies. Their care is centered on mobility, posture, and musculoskeletal function and does not involve medications or medical procedures.
Pain management physicians take a medical approach to diagnosing and treating back pain. They evaluate a wide range of possible causes — including nerves, discs, joints, and soft tissues — and can order imaging, prescribe medication when appropriate, and offer minimally invasive procedures to reduce pain and inflammation.
While chiropractic care is often helpful for certain types of mechanical back pain, pain management is designed for more complex, persistent, or nerve-related pain conditions.
You may consider starting with a chiropractor if your back pain is recent and mild, improves with movement or stretching, and is not accompanied by numbness, weakness, or pain that radiates down the leg. Chiropractic care may also be appropriate if there is no history of significant trauma or prior spine surgery.
You should consider a pain management evaluation if back pain lasts longer than a few weeks, radiates into the legs or arms, or is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness. An evaluation is also essential if pain interferes with sleep or daily activities, if you’ve had prior spine surgery, or if chiropractic care has not provided lasting relief. These symptoms may indicate nerve involvement or structural issues that require medical evaluation.
In many cases, care can be complementary. Some patients benefit from chiropractic treatment alongside our medical pain management, particularly when guided by a clear diagnosis and coordinated care plan.
There is no single answer for all patients. The right provider depends on the cause, severity, and duration of your back pain. The most crucial step is getting an accurate diagnosis so your chiropractor or pain specialist can customize treatment to your case.
If you want to learn more, contact us here at Expert Pain today to schedule an appointment. We can conduct a thorough evaluation and help you understand your options for treatment and back pain relief.
