KristenK
One reason you see a neurologist for a herniated disk is in the event you end up with spinal cord or nerve root compression from the herniated disk. But that neurologist will either 1) send you to Physical Therapy to see if the proper exercises and massage will alleviate the pain and/or herniation or any nerve impingement/compression that has taken place; or, 2) will send you to a Neurosurgeon or an Ortho Spine Surgeon, so they may evaluate your case and they will either refer you to Physical Therapy, a pain management doctor (if you are having pain), or do surgery on you if they believe that therapy will not help you. I originally when to a neurologist because I was having neurological problems and it ended up being herniations in the cervical and lumbar spine, which I have have 2 surgeries in the past 9 months to take care of the spinal cord and nerve root compressions, 2 herniated disks, one ruptured disk and a compression fracture. All that was performed by a Neurosurgeon. I would not let an Ortho doctor ever touch my spine again after the care I received after my horse accident which caused all of this. I hope that I was able to answer your questions. Kristen