From Pain to Possibility: Our Approach to Neck and Spine Health
Neck and spine pain can be debilitating, disrupting everyday routines, keeping you from the activities you love, and at times, making it hard to even get out of bed. At Orthopedic ONE, our objective is to help you move forward, comfortably, confidently, and with a care plan that’s built around you.
A Personalized Evaluation
When a patient comes to Orthopedic ONE with spine or neck pain, the goal is simple: identify the root cause and provide the least invasive, most effective treatment plan possible. That begins with listening.
“You should expect to have someone learn more about you and the history of the pain and how it affects your everyday life,” shares Dr. Evan Berlin, a fellowship-trained physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. A typical evaluation includes a discussion, physical exam, and X-rays to rule out urgent concerns like fractures. From there, the care team outlines potential next steps.
Dr. Milan Herceg, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, echoes that philosophy: “We want to help people return to function and get the optimal results to return to their activities of enjoyment with the least invasive treatment options available.”
Common Causes, Individualized Care
While neck and spine injuries can occur suddenly, the majority of issues are degenerative in nature and build up gradually over time. Most patients suffer from one of three common issues: discogenic pain, arthritis, or a pinched nerve (also known as radiculopathy).
“Discogenic pain comes from pressure on the discs, often from bending forward and twisting,” explains Dr. Berlin. “Arthritis is more of a wear-and-tear disease. And a pinched nerve happens when a disc herniation irritates a nearby nerve.” Additionally, contributing factors like poor posture, stress, and weak core muscles can exacerbate these conditions.
The key to successful treatment? Understanding which of these conditions, or other stressors, is at play, and creating a care plan tailored to the patient’s needs.
Exploring Treatment Options
No two patients are the same, and no two treatment plans should be either. That’s why we begin with a full review of every possible path forward. “There are five treatment categories we talk about with every patient,” says Dr. Berlin. “Doing nothing, physical therapy, medications, injections, and surgery.”
While “doing nothing” may be appropriate for very mild or resolving cases, most patients begin with conservative treatments like physical therapy. “Physical therapy is the ultimate solution to most, if not all, of these problems,” Dr. Berlin notes. Strengthening the core, especially muscles around the spine, abdomen, and hips, can help stabilize the spine and reduce pressure on sensitive joints and discs.
In some cases, medications such as anti-inflammatories or nerve-calming prescriptions are used to reduce pain and support healing. When additional intervention is needed, our team may recommend image-guided injections, ranging from epidurals to nerve blocks or ablations, designed to target pain at its source. “The key is choosing the right injection for the right patient, at the right time,” adds Dr. Berlin.
When Surgery Becomes the Right Step
While spine surgery is often seen as a last resort, Dr. Herceg emphasizes that for certain patients, especially those with spinal instability or severe nerve compression, it can be the most effective way to restore function and relieve pain.
“The vast majority of patients can be treated non-surgically,” says Dr. Herceg, “but when surgery is the right step, it’s important that patients are fully informed, prepared, and involved in every part of the decision.” Furthermore, what sets Orthopedic ONE apart is the comprehensive approach and strict criteria for surgical intervention. “We’ve developed an algorithm that starts with observation and physical therapy, then progresses, only if necessary, to injections or surgery.” The right preoperative course leads to better postoperative outcomes.
For patients who do move forward with surgery, our team offers minimally invasive options whenever possible, supported by precise imaging and targeted techniques. “We’re seeing improved recovery times and better long-term outcomes,” Dr. Herceg explains. “When a patient is the right candidate, surgery can restore function and dramatically improve quality of life.”
Stephanie’s Story: A Return to Joy
Stephanie, a patient at Orthopedic ONE, is a powerful example of how the right diagnosis and treatment plan can restore not just physical health, but quality of life.
Stephanie was in peak physical condition when her back pain began. Active, strong, and living a healthy lifestyle, she had no idea what was wrong. What followed were years of frustration, physical therapy, injections, and treatments that failed to provide answers or relief.
Eventually, Stephanie turned to Orthopedic ONE. Imaging revealed significant spinal instability, something that previous evaluations had missed. Her care team determined that surgery would be the best option for long-term relief.
Still, she was nervous. “I had always thought nobody only has one back surgery. I’m going to have another one… or this was going to be it for the rest of my life.” Her perspective began to shift thanks to the support and guidance she received from Dr. Herceg and her care team. “They just radiated empathy and warmth and comfort and knowledge to patients… I talked to them about my story, the fact that my wife and I were getting ready to get married a month from now—what was this going to be like? What was going to happen to me afterward?”
Stephanie committed to the process, physically preparing for surgery, emotionally bracing for change, and trusting her care team. That belief paid off. “Things could not have worked better, and a month later, on September 27th, I was dancing at my wedding in heels.”
Today, Stephanie is more than recovered; she’s thriving. “Because of Orthopedic ONE and the care that I’ve received here, I’m not only able to return to my physical passions and pursuits, but I’m able to be the kind of human being that I want to be… You can’t do that when you’re in pain.”
Why Choose Orthopedic One
At Orthopedic ONE, comprehensive care means more than offering services under one roof. It means your entire care team, doctors, therapists, imaging specialists, and surgical staff, are collaborating, communicating, and coordinating every detail of your care. As Dr. Herceg puts it, “our patients and our surgical team have the same common goals, understandings, and expectations, all allowing for better outcomes.”
Furthermore, “there’s not a large wait for a lot of these things,” Dr. Berlin points out. “Here at Orthopedic ONE, we sometimes get MRIs the same day, and physical therapy is scheduled within a week or two across our more than 11 therapy sites. Being able to do that at all of our locations, I think, is unparalleled.”
No matter where you are in your journey, you remain in control. “We lay out the options,” says Dr. Berlin, “but the patient always decides what’s right for them.”
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Neck and spine issues are complex, but your care doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re dealing with a new ache or years of discomfort, our team at Orthopedic ONE is ready to meet you where you are and help you move forward.
“Our goal,” says Dr. Herceg, “is to help you return to the life you love, with the least invasive, most effective treatment available.” Let us help you move from pain to possibility.
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