Back & Neck Pain
Spinal Pain Treatment Specialists
Expert Treatment for Spine Pain in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Pain anywhere along your spine — neck, mid-back, or lower back — has a source worth finding. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, diagnoses spine pain precisely and treats it with the least invasive option that works.
Over 100 5-Star Reviews!
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Spinal pain can come from anywhere along the spine — the neck, the mid-back, or the lower back — and from many structures: discs, joints, nerves, or muscles. Wherever yours is coming from, the path to relief is the same: a precise diagnosis and a least-invasive-first plan. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon delivers both.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500The Three Regions of the Spine
What Causes Spinal Pain?
Spinal pain — also called back and neck pain or vertebral pain — is a broad term for pain anywhere along the spine. It can arise in the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), or lumbar (lower back) region, and from many structures: a worn or herniated disc, an arthritic facet joint, a pinched nerve, the sacroiliac joint, or the surrounding muscles.
Because “spinal pain” covers so much ground, the single most important step is a precise diagnosis — locating the exact region and structure responsible so treatment targets the real cause.
When to See a Spine Specialist
See a specialist when spine pain lasts beyond a few weeks, keeps returning, radiates into an arm or leg, or interferes with daily life. A specialist can localize the source and build a targeted plan rather than treating pain in general.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if spine pain comes with progressive weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, fever, or follows a significant accident or fall.
How We Treat Spinal Pain
Whatever the source, we treat spinal pain least-invasive-first — advancing only as far as your condition truly requires.
Conservative care & therapy
Activity modification and physical therapy through our on-site partner BackFit Health + Spine — the first step for most spine pain.
Image-guided injections
Epidural steroid and facet joint injections relieve pain and confirm its source.
Nerve blocks & radiofrequency ablation
Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation target facet-driven pain for lasting relief.
Advanced pain control
For persistent nerve pain, spinal cord stimulation — trialed first — can mask severe pain long-term.
Minimally invasive surgery — only when needed
When a structural cause is clear, procedures like microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion resolve it — minimally invasively whenever possible.
Why Choose Our Spine Pain Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right spine 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 spine 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.
Find the source of your spine pain.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for a precise diagnosis and a least-invasive-first plan built around you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Spinal Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
What does “spinal pain” actually mean?
It's a broad term for pain anywhere along the spine — neck, mid-back, or lower back. Because it has many possible sources, the first step is always pinpointing the exact region and structure responsible.
Will I need surgery for spine pain?
Most patients don't. The majority of spinal pain improves with conservative care and image-guided injections. Surgery is reserved for cases with a clear structural cause.
How do you find the source of my spine pain?
Through a careful exam, imaging when needed, and sometimes a diagnostic injection or nerve test that confirms exactly which structure is generating your pain.
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.
Do I need a referral to see a spine specialist in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule directly with our Phoenix spine specialists — no referral required.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Desert Spine and Pain
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Phone: (602) 566-9500
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Pain Relief begins here.
Living with spinal pain can limit your movement, focus, and enjoyment of everyday life—but it doesn’t have to. Dr. Greenwald and his compassionate team are dedicated to helping you find lasting relief through advanced diagnostics and customized treatment options. Every step you take toward better spine health brings you closer to comfort and confidence. Let us help you start that journey today—schedule your consultation and take the first step toward living pain-free.
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 spinal 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.
Book your Spine Care Consultation Today!
Desert Spine and Pain
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