Back & Neck Pain
Neck Pain Treatment Specialists
Expert Neck Pain Treatment in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Lasting relief from neck pain starts with the right diagnosis. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon — finds the true source of your neck pain and treats it with the least invasive option that works.
Over 100 5-Star Reviews!
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Neck pain can make every turn of your head a reminder something is wrong — and it has many possible sources, from a worn disc to an arthritic joint or a pinched nerve. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon pinpoints the real cause of your neck pain and treats it with a least-invasive-first plan built around you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Common Sources of Neck Pain
What Causes Neck Pain?
Neck pain — also called cervical pain or cervicalgia — usually comes from the cervical spine, the seven vertebrae that support your head. The most common sources are a herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve, the small facet joints becoming arthritic, bone spurs from wear and tear, or muscle strain from posture and injury. When a nerve is pinched, pain can radiate into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Most neck pain improves without surgery — but lasting relief depends on knowing exactly which structure is responsible, which is what a specialist evaluation delivers.
When to See a Neck Pain Specialist
See a specialist when neck pain lasts beyond a few weeks, keeps returning, radiates into your arm or hand, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness. A specialist can find the source and treat it — rather than leaving you managing it with medication alone.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if neck pain follows a significant accident or fall, or comes with progressive arm or leg weakness, loss of coordination or balance, trouble with fine hand movements, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These can signal spinal cord pressure that needs urgent attention.
How We Treat Neck Pain
We follow a least-invasive-first approach — the gentlest treatment likely to work comes first, and most patients never need surgery.
Conservative care & therapy
Activity changes, physical therapy through our on-site partner BackFit Health + Spine, and supportive bracing when helpful.
Image-guided injections
Epidural steroid and facet joint injections calm inflammation and help confirm the source of your neck pain.
Nerve blocks & radiofrequency ablation
If the facet joints are the cause, medial branch blocks confirm it and radiofrequency ablation can give many months of relief.
Disc & decompression surgery
When a disc or bone spur pinches a nerve, options include foraminotomy, ACDF, or a motion-preserving cervical disc replacement.
Fusion & stenosis surgery
For instability or cervical stenosis, cervical fusion or cervical stenosis surgery restores stability and relieves pressure — minimally invasively when possible.
Why Choose Our Neck Pain Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right neck 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 neck 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
Not sure which applies? Start with the back & neck pain conditions we treat.
Stop living with neck pain.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for a clear diagnosis and a least-invasive-first plan built around you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Neck Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a specialist for neck pain?
See a specialist if neck pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, or radiates into your arm or hand — and seek urgent care for red-flag symptoms like arm weakness, loss of coordination, or trouble with fine hand movements.
Will I need surgery for my neck pain?
Most likely not. The majority of neck pain improves with conservative care and, when needed, image-guided injections. Surgery is reserved for cases with a clear structural cause like a pinched nerve or instability.
How soon can I get relief?
Many patients improve within weeks of the right treatment. Injections can relieve pain quickly, and radiofrequency ablation can provide many months of relief when facet joints are the source.
Do you take my insurance, and what if you're out-of-network?
We welcome out-of-network patients and explain your likely costs and coverage before anything is scheduled — whether you use insurance, pay out-of-pocket, or are treated under a personal-injury claim.
Do I need a referral to see a neck pain doctor in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule a consultation with our Phoenix spine specialists directly — no referral required.
My neck pain is from a car accident — can you help?
Yes. Whiplash and accident-related neck pain are common reasons patients see us. We provide prompt evaluation, full documentation, and coordination with your personal-injury attorney.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Phone: (602) 566-9500
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Every step you take toward relief from neck pain is a step toward restoring your comfort and freedom of movement. Dr. Greenwald and his caring team are here to support you from diagnosis through recovery, tailoring a treatment plan that fits your unique needs and lifestyle. Whether your pain stems from an injury, posture issues, or a degenerative condition, we’re here to help you find lasting relief. Take control of your spine health today—schedule your consultation and start feeling better, one step at a time.
Voted Best Neck and 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 neck pain, 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.
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