A spine-specialized physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, specializes in the nonsurgical management of back and neck pain. PM&R treatment is characterized by comprehensive care that considers the whole person rather than addressing one or two symptoms. Many doctors provide drugs to mask pain symptom, but this can leave a patient debilitated and dependent upon the drugs. A physiatrist, on the other hand, provides techniques and treatments such as spinal injections that enable back and neck pain sufferers to return to activity without surgery.