P.O. Box 6114 Coventry CV3 9GR
024 7661 2681
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Warwickshire Clinics P.O. Box 6114 Coventry CV3 9GR
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Common Questions of Warwickshire Spine Clinic

Common Questions

What can I do about my back pain?
Simple pain killers and try and keep the back gently moving and most back pain will settle in time. It is important to believe that your back pain is not due to you having anything serious going on and that your back is solid. Be positive about your back and try and stay at work if at all possible. Try and respond to what your back is telling you and avoid activities and positions that are clearly flaring it up. Make sure that you are O.K. taking the pain killers. Gentle movements are really anything you think your back can manage to get the muscles that encase your spine working properly to support and protect your back. Initially you may not be able to manage much. There isn't much evidence that one particular set of exercises is any better than another, the key is to get moving! Physiotherapy will help get you moving and give you advice about your posture. Pilates and Yoga are good examples of the type of exercises to do. A lumbar support for when you are sitting, be it a small pillow or a rolled up towel is worth trying. Good advice can be found in The Back Book (www.tlso.co.uk)
What can I do about my neck pain?
Simple pain killers and try and keep the neck gently moving and most neck pain will settle in time. It is important to believe that your neck pain is not due to you having anything serious going on and that your neck is solid. Be positive about your neck and try and stay at work if at all possible. Try and respond to what your neck is telling you and avoid activities and positions that are clearly flaring it up. Make sure that you are O.K. taking the pain killers. Gentle movements are really anything you think your neck can manage to get the muscles that encase your spine working properly to support and protect your neck. Initially you may not be able to manage much. There isn't much evidence that one particular set of exercises is any better than another, the key is to get moving! Physiotherapy will help get you moving and give you advice about your posture. Pilates and Yoga are good examples of the type of exercises to do. An orthopaedic pillow to support your neck at night is worth trying. Good advice can be found in The Neck Book (www.tlso.co.uk)
When should I see a specialist about my back?

If first line treatments do not appear to be settling the pain it is important to get a specialist opinion. It is important to make sure nothing serious is causing the pain and get reassurance that you are doing the correct things. Any symptoms that are red flag symptoms require an urgent opinion and some require you to go straight to A&E (please go to section on urgent spinal conditions for more information).

Back pain lasting more than six weeks should lead to a consultation.

Can I have an MRI?
An MRI scan is the commonest and best way to see most of the structures of the spine. Unfortunately not everybody can have one. The commonest reason is claustrophobia. Some people with mild claustrophobia manage with a sedative. We do not tend to give people general anaesthetics due to the risks involved and anaesthetic equipment not being allowed to the scanner room. Open MRI scanners are now becoming more prevalent which most people with claustrophobia can manage. Equipment is not allowed in the scanner room due to the fact that the MRI machine contains a very powerful magnet. This is why some patients with metal implants in them cannot have a scan (pacemakers, certain types of heart valve replacements, cochlear implants, metal fragments in the eye etc.). Other types of imaging exist as an alternative.
How much does the consultation and surgery cost?

This depends upon the exact procedure, the hospital and any extras such as implants. The cost of running a medical practice has increased significantly year on year, particularly medical indemnity costs. Unfortunately medical insurance companies have not matched this increase in their reimbursement to surgeons and anaesthetists to allow for this. Therefore there may be a short fall between what the patient can claim from his medical insurance and the surgeons and anaesthetists fees, and this is the patient's responsibility.

Our office will provide a detailed quote on request.

What are the most common insurers we work with?

These are AVIVA, AXA, BUPA, CIGNA, CS Healthcare, Exeter Family Friendly, Police Healthcare Scheme, Vitality Health and WPA.