The Back Doctors Podcast

Dr. Kiran Patel shares a story about a woman with post-surgical continued pain syndrome who gets relief with a dorsal root ganglion stimulator.

Kiran V. Patel, MD is a global leader in neuromodulation and interventional pain, widely recognized for advancing dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation in clinical practice and physician education. She is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and serves as Director of Pain Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and Founder and CEO of the NYC Neuromodulation Center of Excellence.

Dr. Patel also leads the ACGME-accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where she is dedicated to training the next generation of interventional pain specialists. Her work focuses on advancing precision-based, function-driven care through targeted therapies and innovation in neuromodulation.

A nationally and internationally sought-after educator, Dr. Patel trains physicians in advanced pain procedures and neuromodulation techniques across the globe. She also leads a robust portfolio of clinical research in neuromodulation and the integration of artificial intelligence to improve patient selection, outcomes, and care delivery.

Dr. Patel serves as a Director-at-Large for the International Neuromodulation Society and has previously served on the Executive Board of the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) as well as the American Association of Pain Program Directors (AAPD). Her leadership has focused on advancing physician education, training standards, and the evolution of neuromodulation practice.

Resources:

Abbott Neuromodulation Clinic Locator

Restorative Neurostimulation Therapy Compared
to Optimal Medical Management: A Randomized
Evaluation (RESTORE) for the Treatment of Chronic
Mechanical Low Back Pain due to Multifidus
Dysfunction

Dr. Altman shares his own story that started his path towards becoming a doctor treating pain patients.

Dr. Sean Altman is a Functional Medicine Doctor with expertise in Energy Medicine, bioelectric signaling, and regenerative orthopedics, whose work focuses on identifying the root cause of injury and restoring the body’s internal communication networks so healing can resume naturally and durably.

With an academic foundation in Molecular Biology from Colgate University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University, Dr. Altman’s training reflects a rare integration of cellular biology, biomechanics, and clinical medicine. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, he established early on a commitment to scientific rigor, clinical excellence, and innovation in patient care.

​As a Functional Medicine Doctor, Dr. Altman focuses on identifying and correcting the root biological drivers of pain, injury, and dysfunction rather than simply suppressing symptoms. His approach blends root-cause diagnostics with advanced bioelectric and regenerative therapies to restore communication within the nervous system, tissues, and cellular networks. Each patient receives extended, in-depth evaluations and a highly personalized plan designed to activate the body’s own healing capacity and promote durable recovery.

​With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Altman has treated a wide spectrum of complex and chronic conditions, including Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune disorders, orthopedic and spine injuries, chronic pain syndromes, neurologic conditions, prenatal and post-partum conditions, and high-level athletic injuries. His advanced training in regenerative and neuromodulatory technologies — including shockwave therapy, Frequency-Specific Microcurrent, ultrasound-guided interventions, and bioelectric therapeutics — allows him to treat conditions that often fail conventional care.

​Dr. Altman’s work has been featured in CBS and PBS documentaries highlighting integrated medical models at Integrated Pain Solutions in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he collaborated closely with specialists in physiatry, regenerative medicine, physical therapy, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation. This experience shaped his belief that durable healing requires a multidisciplinary, systems-based approach that addresses structure, biology, nervous system regulation, and energy simultaneously.

Resources:

drseanaltman.com

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Dr. Kurt Olding shares with us a study of 30,000 low back pain patients and the care they receive depending on what type of provider they choose to see first.  He goes on to share other studies and papers relevant to spine pain patients.

Dr. Kurt Olding has been in practice for over 40 years, opening Minster Chiropractic Center in 1986 after graduating from National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL in 1984. Through the years Dr. Kurt has enjoyed treating all age groups, from infants to athletes and parents to grandparents. He took special interest in sports medicine during his early years in practice, completing 300 hours of continuing education through the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician program.

Dr. Kurt earned Cox® Technic certification in 2009. In 2012 he began co-instructing the technique, and since 2015 has been a full-time instructor alongside Dr. James Cox, Dr. Ralph Kruse, and Dr. George Joachim.

Through his work with Cox® Technic, Dr. Kurt has had several exciting opportunities. In March of 2016, he taught Cox® Technic in Bern, Switzerland as part of the Swiss Chiropractic Academy’s “technique series” program. Later that month, he presented research on Cox® Technic with his mentor Dr. James Cox at the annual Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference. Dr. Kurt co-authored a paper published in the June 2016 edition of the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine titled Chiropractic Distraction Spinal Manipulation on Post-surgical Continued Low Back and Radicular Pain patients: A Retrospective Case Series.

In 2015, Dr. Kurt became board certified as a Chiropractic Orthopedist, and a Fellow of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (FACO). He is also a board member of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, serving since early 2016.

Dr. Kurt and his wife Jackie are Minster natives. They have three children: Sunni, Kregg, and Jack. Sunni and her husband Tyler joined the practice in 2014.

Resources:

First Provider Seen for an Acute Episode of Low Back Pain Influences Subsequent Health Care Utilization

Minster Chiropractic Center

kurt.olding@gmail.com

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thebackdoctorspodcast.com

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Dr. Michael Park shares stories from a Proof-of-Concept study that combined lumbar or lumbosacral decompression and fusion surgery and neuromodulation

Dr. Park is a former principal investigator of the SynerFuse® proof-of-concept clinical trial and primary inventor of SynerFuse® technology. Dr. Park is a board-certified neurosurgeon, an associate professor, MnDRIVE neuromodulation scholar, William P. Van Wagenen Fellow, and director of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology at the University of Minnesota. He has extensive experience with neuromodulation – deep brain stimulation. This surgical therapy for brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia modulates brain activity to treat symptoms. He also uses neuromodulation such as spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery to treat cancer pain and chronic pain. In addition, working with epilepsy specialists, Dr. Park performs procedures such as surgical placement of depth and grid electrodes in the brain to identify abnormal epileptic brain areas and offer treatments which include resection, response neural stimulator (NeuroPace) placement, laser ablation, and vagal nerve stimulation. If patients are unable to have surgery, Dr. Park is able to treat some of the conditions using Gamma Knife radiosurgery as well.

Dr. Park received his dual Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in economics and electrical engineering from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Kansas. He holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from the School of Medicine and Graduate Studies, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, at the University of Kansas. He completed his neurosurgery residency at the Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University. He was awarded the prestigious William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and completed his fellowship with Dr. Jean Régis at the Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille II, Assistance Publique L’Hôpital d’Adulte de la Timone in Marseille, France, in 2010. He was an Assistant Professor and the Director of Functional Neurosurgery and Pain in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Louisville until 2014.

Resources:

Integrating Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation with Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Proof of Concept Study

SynerFuse

University of Minnesota

Sponsor

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Spine specialist, Dr. Anna Jurik shares her experience treating the cervical spine with Cox Technic.

Dr. Anna Jurik is a licensed Chiropractic Physician and a Registered and Licensed Dietitian/ Nutritionist. She is a graduate of National University of Health Sciences, where she earned her degrees in Chiropractic Medicine, a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice and a certificate in Massage Therapy. She currently holds a position as a teaching clinician at the university and is ranked as a Professor.

Her unique background has allowed her to take her teaching experiences outside of the standard classroom.  She has taught seminars, which has allowed her to educate her colleagues as well as personally expand her mindset and experiences.

Dr. Jurik also holds degrees in Exercise Physiology and Dietetics, and has earned various certifications and trainings over the years in order

to diversify her treatment options. These include Graston Deep Tissue Technique, Kinesio-taping, Webster Technique, Pediatrics

& Prenatal care, Rehabilitation of the Spine, Craniosacral Therapy, Rehabilitation of the Spine, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Acupuncture, Cox Technique and Chinese Medicine. 

This unique background has allowed her to truly treat every patient holistically. It allows her to work with a patient and put together a natural and specific plan to achieve and help maintain the best health possible.  It has also allowed her to have a wide knowledge base that she is able to share with those she is educating.

Resources:

630-629-9664 Clinic

ajurik@nuhs.edu

Episode 254 Dr. Anna Jurik – Compression Fractures

Episode 130 Dr. Anna Jurik – National University of Health Sciences

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The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Dr. Edgardo Vargas shares a story of woman who suffered with neck pain for years before finally getting relief with Cox Technic.

Dr. Edgardo Vargas

Chiropractor

Dr. Edgardo Vargas received his Associate Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Puerto Rico, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. His plan was to go to medical school after graduating from university. After exploring deeper, he realized he wanted a specialty that offered a more natural way of healing. He picked chiropractic without knowing much about the field. Dr. Vargas moved to Chicago to study chiropractic. Arriving at the National University of Health Sciences, the students had to go through an evaluation and treatment program. He realized the potential available through chiropractic and how it helped back pain and motor function. He fell in love with it and wanted to know more. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic in 2006 and has been practicing ever since. Dr. Vargas has over 2000 hours training in nutrition and laboratory testing and also received certification as a Functional Medicine Practitioner. He enjoys showing patients how chiropractic can help with any chronic condition they might have.

Resources:

Dr. Vargas’s website

Find a Cox Certified Back Doctor

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Spine Health Researcher, Clinician, and Professor, Dr. Christine Goertz shares her life’s work in her new book Take Your Back Back.

RESEARCH & HEALTH POLICY CAREER

I’m Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D. I have spent 35 years working with multi-disciplinary teams to conduct research studies and implement best practices designed to optimize care for patients with low back pain.

CURRENT ROLE

I am a Professor in Musculoskeletal Research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and Vice Chair for the Implementation of Spine Health Innovation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University. I am also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. 

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

I received my Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 1991 and a Ph.D. in Health Services Research, Policy and Administration from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota in 1999.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I have extensive experience in the administration of Federal grants, both as a PI and as a program official at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I have received nearly $45 million in federal funding, as the principal investigator or co-principal investigator, primarily from NIH and the Department of Defense. I have also co-authored more than 135 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

MAKING A GLOBAL IMPACT

I am honored to have delivered invited lectures, keynote talks, clinical grand rounds, and plenary presentations worldwide. Topics include “Research, Its Not Just for Scientists Anymore,” “In Search of the Holy Grail in Low Back Pain Treatment or Anything that Works at All,” and ” Nonpharmacological Approaches to Pain Management.” Venues include the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute Annual Meeting, Georgetown University, Duke University School of Medicine, the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting, the American Chiropractic Association Summit, the World Federation of Chiropractic Research Congress, and the European Chiropractic Union. 

Resources:

Dr. Goertz’s website

The Back Pain Chronicles

Pain Trainer

Take Your Back Back

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Find a Back Doctor

Spine specialist, Dr. Casey Johnston shares an interesting case of a 58 y.o. triathlete with severe back and leg pain.

Dr. Casey Johnston, D.C. is the owner and Clinical Director for Desert Springs Chiropractic. He has been in full time private practice since 2001. He is an alumnus of Oklahoma State University and Texas Chiropractic College. Prior to his work at DSCC, he worked as the Lead Chiropractor for multi clinic medical organization in Houston, Texas. During his tenure he trained and established chiropractic and rehabilitation protocols for the Chiropractic, Physical Medicine and Physical Therapy Departments for the various clinics.

Dedicated to continually offering the most cutting-edge care, Dr. Johnston consistently trains in new and advanced techniques. Using the most advanced research, Desert Springs offers a dynamic system for assessing and reassessing each patient as an individual. Designing individualized care for each person and their individual needs is our number one priority. Taking time to fully understand each patient’s unique situation has often provided success in complicated cases when medicine, physical therapy, surgery and even other chiropractors have been unable to help.

Dr. Johnston and our staff use Gonstead Chiropractic corrective adjustments, coupled with Titleist Performance Institute (analysis, strength and conditioning) rehab protocols to build an individualized and effective plan of action for our patients. Dr. Johnston employs both hands-on and/or low force mechanical adjusting techniques depending on the individual patients needs and requests.

Dr. J, as he is often called, has significant experience with over 18 years working with injuries to the spinal discs (herniations, bulges, degenerative discs, sciatica, etc.). After injuring his own L5/S1 disc, he developed protocols to help others recover based on his personal experience and success. He often employs Cox Flexion/Distraction (using the Cox 8 table/instrument), decompression, ELDOA and the McKenzie method for disc conditions. Often, we work in combination with primary care physicians, pain management doctors and/or surgeons to achieve the best results for our patients.

Resources:

Dr. Johnston’s webpage

Episode 132 Dr. Casey Johnston – Recurrent Back Pain

Find a Cox Certified Doctor

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Dr. Njideka Olatunde explains how she uses Reflexology for pain management.

For over 40 years, Dr. Olatunde has been at the forefront of holistic wellness, specializing in medication-free alternatives to pain relief. As a Master Reflexologist and leading expert in the transformative practice of Touchology™ and Reflexology, she has empowered thousands to break free from the cycle of pain, using the power of touch as a first-line approach before treatment.

With a unique blend of time-honored healing traditions and modern wellness strategies, Dr. Olatunde’s work bridges the gap between natural health solutions and conventional medicine. She has trained over 2,500 Reflexology practitioners, mentored countless others, and transformed over 3,000 lives through her holistic pain relief methods.

Pain doesn’t have to control your life, and relief is not only possible—it’s just a touch away. Whether you’re struggling with physical, emotional, or mental pain, Dr. Olatunde is here to guide you on a journey toward healing and empowerment, helping you live a pain-free life.

Resources:

Find a Reflexologist

Dr. Olatunde’s website

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Dr. Austin McGraw, newly trained in Cox Technic, shares his success in treating a roofer with back and leg pain.

A graduate of Texas Chiropractic College, Dr. McGraw is Cox Technic Certified in treating the lumbar spine.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. McGraw

Find a Back Doctor certified in Cox Technic

The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical