Back & Neck Pain
Chronic Pain Syndrome Treatment Specialists
Image-Guided Treatment for Chronic Back & Neck Pain in Phoenix, AZ — Procedures, Not Just Prescriptions
Chronic spine pain deserves more than an endless prescription. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, uses precise, image-guided procedures to treat the source of long-standing pain — not just mask it.
Over 100 5-Star Reviews!
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
When back or neck pain lasts for months, it can take on a life of its own — driving inactivity, stiffness, and heightened sensitivity that make the pain harder to break. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon treats chronic spine pain with targeted, image-guided procedures aimed at the true source — not long-term medication.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500How Chronic Pain Becomes a Cycle
What Are Chronic Pain Syndromes?
A chronic pain syndrome is back or neck pain that persists for three months or longer — often after an injury or condition that should have healed. Over time, reduced activity, muscle weakening, and a nervous system that becomes more sensitive can keep pain going even when the original problem has settled, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
The key to breaking that cycle is identifying and treating the actual pain generator — a facet joint, a nerve, a disc — with precise procedures, rather than masking the pain indefinitely with medication. Important: Desert Spine and Pain is a surgical spine practice and does not provide long-term pain-medication management.
When to See a Specialist for Chronic Pain
See a specialist when back or neck pain has lasted more than three months, keeps you from normal activity, or is being managed with medication alone without addressing the cause. An interventional evaluation can often find a treatable source that's been missed.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if chronic pain suddenly worsens or is joined by new leg weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, or unexplained weight loss.
How We Treat Chronic Spine Pain
Our approach is procedures, not prescriptions — image-guided treatments that target the structure actually causing your pain, in a stepped, least-invasive-first order.
Diagnostic & therapeutic injections
Epidural steroid, facet joint, and trigger-point injections relieve pain and confirm exactly which structure is responsible.
Nerve blocks & radiofrequency ablation
Medial branch blocks pinpoint facet-driven pain, and radiofrequency ablation can quiet it for many months at a time.
Spinal cord stimulation
For severe, persistent nerve pain that hasn’t responded to other care, spinal cord stimulation — trialed first — can provide lasting relief.
Why Choose Our Chronic Pain Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right chronic pain specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a chronic pain doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
Life Beyond the Pain
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related drying and thinning of the discs that can cause pain.
Learn MoreNot sure which applies? Start with the back & neck pain conditions we treat.
Break the chronic pain cycle.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for image-guided procedures that treat the source of your pain — not just mask it.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Chronic Pain Syndromes: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you prescribe long-term pain medication?
No. Desert Spine and Pain is a surgical spine practice. We treat chronic pain with targeted, image-guided procedures that address the source — we do not manage pain with ongoing prescription medication.
Can chronic pain really be treated after this long?
Often, yes. Even long-standing pain usually has a treatable source. A careful interventional evaluation frequently uncovers a pain generator — a facet joint or nerve — that can be treated directly.
What makes your approach different?
Your procedures are performed by a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon who treats the source rather than masking it — and who can escalate to a surgical solution seamlessly in the rare case one is needed.
Do I need a referral, and are you out-of-network?
No referral is required, and we welcome out-of-network patients. We'll explain your likely costs before anything is scheduled.
My chronic pain is from an accident — can you help?
Yes. We provide prompt evaluation, documentation, and coordination with your personal-injury attorney for accident-related chronic pain.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Phone: (602) 566-9500
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If you’ve been living with chronic pain, lasting relief begins with the right specialist by your side. Dr. Greenwald and his compassionate team are here to help uncover the root cause of your pain and design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Every step you take toward better spine health is a step toward a more active, fulfilling life. Don’t wait another day—schedule your consultation today and let us help you move forward with less pain and renewed hope.
Voted Best Spine Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating chronic pain syndrome, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
Book your Spine Care Consultation Today!
Desert Spine and Pain
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