Steven R. Sabers, M.D.

When to see a specialist: Steven Sabers, MD

Summit Orthopedics spine specialist Steven Sabers, MD gives insight about when to see a specialist for back or neck pain.

Dr. Steven Sabers’ Approach to Care

“I treat my patients as I would want a family member treated, with a goal of reducing pain and improving quality of life.”

Spine pain spans all ages

Spine pain can affect people of any age. “We see some patients who are as young as 13 or 14 years of age, though the vast majority of the people we treat are adults between the ages of 25 and 75,” explains Dr. Sabers. “We treat slightly more women than men, but when it comes to the number of patients who experience spine pain, there’s a fair balance between men and women.

Ask Dr. Sabers: When Should I Have My Spine Pain Medically Evaluated?

Dr. Steven Sabers brings empathy and a depth of experience in spine pain treatment to his practice. He completed his undergraduate work, medical school, and residency at Mayo Clinic, and is board certified by both the American Academy of Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation and the American Board of Medical Specialties/Pain Management.

Full suite of treatment options

“Spine pain is challenging to treat,” he explains. “The strength of our Summit Orthopedics spine care is in the breadth of the care we are able to offer. I have an entire spectrum of treatment options at my fingertips. That spectrum encompasses monitoring a patient to see if pain will resolve with time—and sometimes that’s the right decision for the patient—to physical therapy, medication, injections, and procedures including surgery. This comprehensive treatment model enables us to really give the patient the best available option for his or her problem without any lengthy waits or delays.”

Insights from Dr. Sabers: What Questions Should I Ask Before Committing To A Pain Treatment Program?

Empowering patients to participate in their care

“For me, the physician-patient relationship is a partnership. It’s important for my patients to understand that their treatment doesn’t end when they leave my office. Physical therapy doesn’t help if you don’t do it. Day-to-day decisions make a difference. What we eat, whether we smoke, and the kinds of activities we engage in all have an impact on whether or not we are successful in treating pain. Part of my job is to help patients change the habits by which they live their lives when they are not here. My goal is to make the doctor’s visit unnecessary, and to give people the tools to manage their discomfort effectively at home.”

Video resources featuring Dr. Steven Sabers

• Learn more about Effects of Exercise on Back Injuries [Video]
• Find out the Impact of Weight on Neck and Back Pain [Video]

Interventional procedures for pain relief

Dr. Sabers spends about half of his workday in clinic seeing patients. The remainder of his time is spent performing the interventional procedures—short of surgery—that treat pain when physical therapy and medication aren’t enough. “We provide an entire spectrum of nonsurgical treatments and tools to help patients manage spine pain—up to and including surgery. I think it’s also important to help patients navigate treatment decisions, and I advise them the same way I would advise a member of my family.

“I think we are lucky to work in the Midwest,” he observes. “People here are straightforward and hardworking, and they just want to get back to their lives. Our approach is focused on making a functional difference that really improves quality of life. When my patients come in and tell me that they’ve gotten their life back, that’s incredibly rewarding.”

Additional resources from Dr. Sabers

• Get the answer: Can Spine Injury Cause Migraine Headaches?
• Learn more about: Managing Back Arthritis Pain [Video]