Vertebrologist Maribor – one of the few vertebrologists in Slovenia

What is vertebrology

Vertebrology treats the spine as a whole - from cervical to lumbar regions - with a precise understanding of how individual spinal segments affect one another and the rest of the musculoskeletal system. The field includes:

• 🔹 Precise diagnosis of functional and structural spinal changes
• 🔹 Understanding the biomechanics of individual cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal segments
• 🔹 Recognising how an issue in one part of the spine affects other distant areas of the body
• 🔹 Specialised manual techniques tailored to the specific spinal segment
• 🔹 Long-term monitoring and prevention of degenerative spinal changes

What a vertebrologist does and why this specialisation is valuable

What vertebrology and vertebroneurology mean

Vertebrology deals with the spine and everything connected with it: the vertebrae and discs, muscles and ligaments, and the nerves that leave the spine. It therefore sits at the crossroads of neurology, orthopaedics and manual medicine. In some countries the field is also called vertebroneurology, because it emphasises the nerve component of spinal problems.

Dr. Verbitskiy has completed postgraduate training in vertebroneurology several times and combines it with manual therapy and osteopathy. In practice this means that with spinal problems we look not only at the site of pain, but also at what is happening with the nerves, muscles and joints, and how the individual spinal segments influence each other.

How a vertebrologist trains and which methods they use

A vertebrologist trains for one thing only: non-surgical, conservative treatment of spinal diseases and problems. It is a narrow and rare specialisation in which treatment rests on a careful examination, not on surgery.

At work they use the methods this field requires:

• manual therapy
• massage
• acupuncture and acupressure
• special techniques taught specifically in vertebrology and vertebroneurology

The choice of methods depends on the cause of the problem, not on a single recipe.

What a vertebrologist does during examination and treatment

• Posture and mobility assessment: we assess the individual spinal segments, muscle tone and joint movement.
• Neurological part of the examination: we check sensation, strength and reflexes and how the pain is distributed, to tell whether it comes from a nerve root, muscles, joints or elsewhere.
• Scans in clinical context: we consider X-rays or MRI together with your condition. A scan alone does not tell everything, since many people with disc herniations or wear-and-tear changes have no pain.
• A non-surgical treatment plan: manual techniques, relaxation of muscles and fascia, joint mobilisation, acupuncture or acupressure where appropriate, and movement guidance.
• Assessment and referral: if signs point to an emergency or the need for surgery, we refer you to the appropriate specialist.

What problems patients come with

• Disc herniation and protrusion (herniated disc), pinched nerve and sciatica
• Pain in the neck, cervical spine and lower back, including chronic and recurring pain
• Headaches and dizziness with neck problems (the cause should first be established by a doctor)
• Spinal curvature, osteochondrosis and wear-and-tear changes
• Consequences of injuries (e.g. whiplash) and myofascial pain

Vertebrologist, surgeon, traumatologist and neurologist: how they complement each other

Each of these professionals has their own role, so the differences are best understood as a division of tasks, not as competition.

Where to go first? A quick guide

• After a fall, blow or accident, with severe pain or a suspected fracture: traumatologist or emergency room.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control, rapidly progressing weakness in the legs, loss of sensation in the groin area: emergency room immediately.
• Recurring or long-lasting pain in the lower back, neck or back that radiates into the leg or arm, without severe deficits: vertebrologist.
• You need neurological tests or medication: neurologist.
• You are deciding about surgery or a doctor has already suggested it: surgeon.

Many spinal problems, such as pain in the lower back or neck and disc herniations without severe deficits, are first managed without surgery. If there are signs that require surgery or emergency care, the right address is a surgeon or traumatologist; in such cases we refer you on.

Why the vertebrological view can be valuable

Pain in the leg, arm or head often originates in the spine, and the site of pain is not necessarily the site of the cause. When treatment targets the right source, results are generally more stable, and for long-lasting and recurring problems a broader view of the spine as a whole also helps. There are few such specialists in Slovenia: Dr. Verbitskiy is one of the few vertebrologists in Slovenia.

How vertebrologic treatment is performed

The vertebrologic examination is thorough and precise, aiming to understand the spine as an interconnected mechanical system, not just the single site of pain.

Spine problems we help with

People most often come to us with these problems:

• 🔹 Lower back pain and sciatica
• 🔹 Disc herniation and disc bulges
• 🔹 Neck pain, headache and dizziness with neck problems
• 🔹 Spinal curvature and scoliosis
• 🔹 Pain between the shoulder blades and in the back
• 🔹 Osteochondrosis and spinal wear
• 🔹 Problems after a spine injury or long-lasting pain without a clear cause

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