Public FAQs
Public FAQs
What is a spine physician?
This term refers to a physician, who provides care
for the neck, back and related disorders. In the context of the American
Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), the term refers to physicians who evaluate and/or
treat spine disorders.
What is a spine specialist?
This phrase refers to a healthcare professional, who
provides care for the neck, back and related disorders. In the context of the
American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), the term, “Spine Specialists”,
refers to non-physicians (Affiliate Members) who evaluate and/or treat spine
disorders.
Is the AASP part of a specific College or University?
No. The AASP is an independent organization with members and
consultants from many different settings including educational institutions.
The AASP collaborates with educational institutions on various projects.
How can I find a spine physician or specialist in my area
who is an active member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP)?
Go to the International Directory of Spinecare
Professionals, a subdirectory of the International Spinecare Directory.
The physician presently seeing me for back problems does
not appear to be an active member of the AASP; therefore, is he/she qualified
to care for my spine?
Your physician may be very qualified in providing spinecare.
The AASP does not guarantee the skills of any particular member. The AASP is an
organization, which provides a unique opportunity for physicians and other spinecare
professionals to obtain continuing education, credentialing and practice
development resources. The AASP helps develop leaders in the field of
spinecare.
Does the AASP screen prospective members prior to
granting membership?
Yes. The member must be a licensed physician with a valid license
and must meet application requirements and be approved for membership by the
AASP Membership Committee. Non-physician members (American Academy of Spine
Specialists) also must comply with the above.
How can I help improve communication between my attending
physician and other spinecare providers?
Let your attending physician know that you are aware of the
AASP and request that they join for your benefit and for the benefit of others.
Tell them you have visited the ISA website area for the public and patients. Have
your doctor contact the AASP Membership Office and request information about
the organization.
What is the benefit of seeing a physician who is an
active member of the AASP?
You are seeing a physician, who is likely committed to a
conservative and cooperative approach to spinecare. Furthermore they have agreed
to abide by the AASP Patient Bill of Rights and have committed to
placing the needs of the patient first.
Does the AASP recognize advanced education for “spine physicians”
and “spine specialists”?
Yes. The AASP provides continuing educational opportunities
for its members. The AASP awards the designations of Diplomate of the American
Academy of Spine Physicians (DAASP) or Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians
(FACSP) to physician members who have met the academic requirements set
forth. The AASP awards the designation of Fellow of the American College of
Spine Specialists (FACSS) to non-physician members who have met the
academic requirements set forth. Members who receive advanced credentialing are
given acknowledgment on the International Directory of Spinecare Professionals
and on select downloads of AASP and patient resources. The highest level of
academic achievement recognized by the AASP is Fellow status.
How do I find a member of the AASP who has pursued
continuing education through the organization?
Go to the online International Directory of Spinecare Professionals
and perform a search for physicians or non-physicians (“spine specialists”) who
hold Diplomate and/or Fellow status.
Do members of the AASP participate in managed care (PPO,
HMO, etc)?
They might. You would have to contact the AASP member’s
office directly and confirm whether they participate in any particular
insurance plan or program.
Does the AASP have a medical center or clinic?
No. The AASP is a member-based organization.
Will the AASP schedule an appointment with a physician
for me?
No. You can obtain contact member information from the International
Directory of Spinecare Professionals.
Can I go to more than one spinecare professional during the
same time period?
Yes. Care of chronic or complex spine disorders often
require a multidisplinary approach.
Is it possible I might need surgery on one part of the
spine and non-operative care for another part of the spine?
Yes.
What is conservative spinecare?
Conservative spinecare refers to therapeutic options which
provide the greatest potential benefit with the least exposure to risk.
When should I tell acquaintances or friends about the
AASP?
If they have acute neck/back pain, chronic neck/back pain or
any related complications or if they require surgery and wish to seek
additional opinions.
How can I obtain more information about spine disorders
or my spinal diagnosis?
Go to the website of the International Spine Association
(ISA) at www.spineinformation.org.
If you want to be directed to specific information by your attending spinecare
professional, download the relevant information script form and have your
provider complete it.
How can I obtain information about the diagnostic
approaches to spine conditions?
Go to Spine Diagnostic Procedures on the website of
the International Spine Association (ISA) at www.spineinformation.org.
Have there been press releases
about the AASP?
Yes. The press releases are listed
in the pressroom archive on the AASP website at www.spinephysicians .org.
Who is on the Academy Council?
The Academy Council is comprised of pre-eminent spine
physicians of various disciplines dedicated to improving the quality of
spinecare consistent with the mission, vision and goals of the AASP.
Do I have a right to be informed by my attending
physician of the therapeutic options for the care of my spine condition?
Yes. For more information go the AASP Patient Bill of
Rights.
Do I have a right to be directed by my attending
spinecare specialists (non-physician) to educational information/resources
pertinent to my spine condition?
Yes. For more information go the AASP Patient Bill of
Rights.
Can any one spinecare professional provide me with all of
my therapeutic options?
If your attending physician feels that you might benefit by
non-operative spinecare he or she should refer you to a physician, who
specializes in a non-operative approach so that that you can be more accurately
informed of your non-surgical therapeutic and rehabilitative options. If your attending physician feels that you
might be a candidate for a pharmaceutical approach and/or surgical intervention,
you should be referred to a physician who specializes in these approaches for
an opinion. The care of complex spine disorders often requires collaborative
efforts from operative and non-operative spinecare professionals.
What are some of signs and symptoms of spine disorders?
Some of the signs and symptoms include but are not limited
to neck/back pain, neck/back discomfort, neck/back stiffness, extremity pain,
numbness, tingling, weakness and/or bladder dysfunction. Spinal cord disorders
may be associated with extremity clumsiness and/or with difficulty with gait
(walking) in the absence of pain.
Will my primary care physician be aware of the American
Academy of Spine Physicians?
Not necessarily, especially, if their practice does not
emphasize care of the spine and related disorders. Share information with your primary care provider.
Download pertinent spinecare information script forms and ask your attending
physician to mark the area(s) relevant to your condition and care. Follow the
direction on the script and go the Public Information Center (PIC) of the
International Spine Association (ISA) website to learn more about your spine
disorders and spinecare options.
Will my primary care physician be aware of the
International Spine Association?
Not necessarily, especially, if their practice does not
emphasize care of the spine and related disorders. Share information with your primary care
provider. Download pertinent spinecare information script forms and ask your
attending physician to mark the area(s) relevant to your condition and care. Follow
the direction on the script and go the Public Information Center (PIC) of the
International Spine Association (ISA) website to learn more about your spine
disorders and spinecare options.
What is the purpose
of the spine information script forms/pads?
Spine information script forms created by the International Spine
Association (ISA) are available through the website of the American Academy of
Spine Physicians (AASP). The forms are designed so spinecare providers can
direct their patients to need-to-know information about their spine disorder,
recommended spine treatment and to recommended spinecare products. This approach
helps personalized spinecare.
Does my primary care
provider have to be an active member of the American Academy of Spine
Physicians to provide care to me for a spine disorder?
No, although membership with AASP offers many benefits to
healthcare providers of all disciplines.
This includes access to continuing education opportunities and emerging
trends in spinecare.
Does my primary care
provider have to be an active member of the International Spine Association
(ISA) to provide care to me for a spine disorder?
No, although membership with ISA offers many benefits to
healthcare providers of all disciplines. This includes access to multimedia
patient education resources.
Welcome to the Inform a Colleague area of the Academy Website. The American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) strives to implement new and more efficient methods for members to communicate with other healthcare professionals. One of the most effective tools is the online "Inform a Colleague" function. This function can be used to expand and educate your spinecare referral network. It also represents a resource to conveniently inform others about trends in spinecare and about offers of organizations such as the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), the International Spine Association (ISA). The link library also contains an application for membership with the AASP. 
