Many pain medications and other medications cause significant gastrointestinal side effects. These are best assessed by a gastroenterologist.

Neurologists do not perform surgery (neurosurgeons do). Neurologists often perform nerve conduction studies. With the spine, neurologists are capable of dealing with the spinal cord and associated nerves, but are less involved in spinal fractures, disc prolapse and facet joint pain

Some orthopaedic surgeons also do spinal surgery – check to see that the orthopaedic surgeon you have requested to assess a spinal condition is actually qualified and practicing in this area – if not, then a neurosurgeon should be used.

Psychiatrists are medical specialists who assess and treat a variety of mental health or psychiatric conditions.