Back Specialist? (Austin, Center, West: insurance, moving to, office)

[txhusker]

After being in denial for the last year about the severity of my back problems, which I think were caused by an unglamourous snowboarding incident, I'm trying to find an orthopedic specialist. I have never been one to frequent the doctor, so I am pretty much a self diagnoser and I have no connections with a general practitioner. I am somewhat of a doctor-phobe from being with an HMO for too long and going to doctors that never looked me in the eye and got me in and out of their office like I was ordering a burger and fries.
I've also already visited a chiropractor, who made me feel just good enough to tell me that my insurance covered visits were about to run out, so if I wanted to continue, he would "give" me a special deal of $700 to keep seeing him. No promises though.
Long story short, I have trust issues with doctors, so instead of doing eenie, meenie, miny, mo thru the list of practitioners on my insurance list, I thought I would turn to the good people of the Austin forum to see if I could get any good recommendations or suggestions on where to do my research.
Oh, by the way, I'm not with the HMO anymore, and I have good insurance, so any advice would be appreciated!

[Moonlady]

Dr. Richard Lutz at Texas Orthopedics. Don't let the very large office complex scare you. The doctors that work out of this group are top notch. I recommended Lutz because I think he is their back specialist - my husband went to see him and liked him.

Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehab Assoc.

[neddy]

I have been pleased with these folks, got all the things you might need with one practice..Spine and Rehabilitation Center :: Austin, Texas

[62texan]

Dr. Moroz at Austin Spine in Westlake.

[pbnj07]

I've never been a fan of chiropractors and those feelings were confirmed after my wife, who has suffered from chronic lower backaches for years, visited a well-known chiropractor in Austin for six months of treatment.

She went 3 times per week and he'd give her a quick "adjustment", followed by some time on various contraption machines.

Totally worthless.

She ended up going to a physical therapist who showed her various exercises to do daily to strengthen her lower back muscles. She's been doing them ever since and now feels great.

Maybe others feel differently, but I'll always be skeptical about the chiropractic profession, even though I have friends and family members who are in the field.

[goacom]

I agree. I went to a "sports chiropractor" for my injuries, and after parting with several hundreds of dollars, I found no improvement (it actually got worse). Doing physical therapy has helped a lot.
There may be times when a chiropractor may be of use, but for chronic back issues, I would recommend conventional treatment.
I will be moving to Austin shortly (from Kalifornia) and am looking for good back doctors myself!

Originally Posted by pbnj07

I've never been a fan of chiropractors and those feelings were confirmed after my wife, who has suffered from chronic lower backaches for years, visited a well-known chiropractor in Austin for six months of treatment.

She went 3 times per week and he'd give her a quick "adjustment", followed by some time on various contraption machines.

Totally worthless.

She ended up going to a physical therapist who showed her various exercises to do daily to strengthen her lower back muscles. She's been doing them ever since and now feels great.

Maybe others feel differently, but I'll always be skeptical about the chiropractic profession, even though I have friends and family members who are in the field.