orthopedics
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Back doctor.. cyropractor(er how ever u spell it)
My dad has herniated discs and sees the back doctor.
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Seek out the best Orthopedic Physician U can. Call the Physicians Assoc and get names of the best. If U lived here I could help you more. Med Docs dont help that much for bones.
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My husband had the same exact location and all. Neurosurgeon is the best referral.
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An orthopedic or a Spinal Specialist would be the best.

But, basically doctors don’t take back pain that serious because they deal with so many supposedly chronic back pain patients. Makes it hard on those with real disc problems. If you have insurance, they will do mri, and you are own your way to getting fixed. If you do not have insurance, take a deep breath because its going to be a long ride.

Good Luck
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A neurosurgeon. Orthopedic doctors deal with bones. Neurosurgeons deal with the spine and brain.
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I too have herniated discs(cervical & lumbar) & have had back surgery at L5-S1.

A spine specialist would be my first choice, followed by either an neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon that does back surgery(not all orthos do spine surgery). Usually, the spine specialist is a neuro or ortho that does nothing but spine surgeries.

As a former surgical technician, I can tell you the only difference between the 2 physicians I mentioned, are their technique during surgery.

I would never, never, never, ever see a Chiropractor when you know for a FACT that you have a herniated disc. Manipulation is the LAST thing you want done. Manipulation with a herniated disc could cause the herniation to become larger or even worse, break off and cause permenant nerve damage.

I hope this info helps, good luck.
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Internist are specialist that sometimes serve as gatekeepers to other specialist (orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologist). So you will need to ask your internist for a referral. If I was having spinal surgery I would want a neurosurgeon. However, depending on the type of surgery, the results of spinal surgery are not so good. Most herniated discs get better within the first 6 months on their own (they shrink and therefore don’t impinge on the nerve) and the pain is usually managed with a combination of meds and Physical Therapy. But if you are still interested in getting surgery, then the neurosurgeon is the one to go to.

The anesthesiologist is another option. they could do an epidural injection or discography/discoplasty–they remove the fluid from the disc and make it shrink up. It’s less invasive (not surgery) and can be done at the anesthesiologist’s office and offers relief of pain.

Good luck to you.
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internal medicine doctor