Center for Spine Health

Care for Back Pain in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

UMass Memorial Center for Spine Health provides comprehensive care for any back, neck or spine condition. You have access to the full range of nonsurgical and surgical therapies, from physical therapy to injections to advanced surgical treatments. Our experienced, nationally respected physicians and surgeons personalize your care based on your needs. 

Spinal Conditions We Treat

Our spine specialists treat conditions affecting your back, neck and spine, including:

Disk and Vertebrae Problems

We treat conditions affecting the vertebrae (bones in your spine) and disks (cushions between your vertebrae), including:

• Cervical spondylosis (degenerative disk disease or arthritis of the neck)
• Lumbar disk disease (herniated disk)
• Lumbar spondylosis (degenerative disk disease or arthritis of the lower back)
• Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)
• Spinal cord compression (pressure on your spinal cord)
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolistheses (slippage of the spine)
• Vertebral compression fractures (breaks in your vertebrae)

Spinal Deformities and Diseases 

Our specialists care for spinal curvatures and complex diseases affecting your spine, including:

• Kyphosis (forward curvature in your upper back)
• Scoliosis (side-to-side curvature of your spine)
• Spinal cord tumors (noncancerous and cancerous growths on your spine)

Muscle and Nerve Pain

If you have muscle or nerve problems in your back or neck, we can help. Our specialists treat: 

• Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of your spinal canal)
• Pinched nerve (pressure on a nerve)
• Sciatica (radiculopathy or pain that shoots down your leg)
• Whiplash (neck injury from forceful, back-and-forth movement of the head)

Our Spine Specialists 

Back and spine problems may require different specialists, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Our team includes every expert you may need, including:

• Neurosurgeons: Our board-certified, highly trained neurosurgeons offer leading-edge surgeries for the full range of spine disorders. We specialize in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgeries in our highly respected Neurosurgery program.
• Orthopedic spine surgeons: Our nationally recognized orthopedic team treats all types of muscle, bone and joint problems in the back and neck. Find out more about our Orthopedics program.
• Physiatrists and anesthesia pain management specialists: These providers offer nonsurgical therapies, such as exercises, implantable medication systems, nerve stimulation and pain relief injections. Learn more about our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program.
• Physical therapists: Our skilled physical therapists are trained in therapeutic exercises to treat back and neck problems. Find out how our Rehabilitation Therapy program can help.
• Spinal oncologists: We are among the few centers in the region offering this complex specialty for spinal cord cancers. You receive care from a team of neurosurgeons, oncologists, orthopedic spine surgeons and radiation oncologists. Discover our groundbreaking care in our Complex Spine Program.