Best Back Pain Doctors in New Jersey | Top Rated Specialists

Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the United States and a leading cause of disability, missed workdays, and reduced quality of life. In New Jersey alone, thousands of patients seek medical care each year for acute injuries, chronic degenerative conditions, disc disorders, nerve compression, and spine-related pain that interferes with daily function.

Back pain is not a single condition; it is a symptom that may originate from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or spinal structures. Because of this complexity, choosing the right back pain doctor is critical. Proper diagnosis and targeted treatment can prevent long-term disability, unnecessary surgery, and chronic pain syndromes.

This article highlights the best back pain doctors in New Jersey, selected based on clinical expertise, patient outcomes, treatment diversity, and accessibility. You will also learn what to look for in a back pain specialist, how these doctors were selected, available treatment options, insurance considerations, and answers to common patient questions.

Top Back Pain Doctors in New Jersey

Below are the doctors qualified to be recognized among the best back pain doctors in New Jersey, presented in a consistent clinician format.

1. Dr. Alexios Apazidis, MD – Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

• Location(s): Edison, Clifton, Jersey City, and other NJ locations
• Specialty: Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Years of Experience: Extensive spine-focused surgical experience
• Key Treatments: Minimally invasive spine surgery, microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, disc replacement
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Renowned for precision spine surgery and conservative-first decision-making

Dr. Apazidis is a leading authority in complex and degenerative spine conditions, offering both advanced surgical and non-surgical back pain solutions.

2. Dr. Wael Elkholy, MD – Pain Management Specialist

• Location(s): Multiple NJ locations
• Specialty: Interventional Pain Management
• Years of Experience: Extensive experience in spine-related pain
• Key Treatments: Epidural injections, facet injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Expert in non-surgical back pain relief and image-guided procedures

3. Dr. Ashraf Sakr, MD – Pain Management Specialist

• Location(s): Multiple NJ locations
• Specialty: Pain Management
• Years of Experience: Longstanding clinical experience
• Key Treatments: Spine injections, chronic pain management, conservative care
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why Tey’re Notable: Focuses on restoring function while minimizing medication reliance

4. Dr. Douglas E. Pitchford, MD – Pain Management Specialist

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Interventional Pain Medicine
• Years of Experience: Decades of clinical experience
• Key Treatments: Advanced spine injections, nerve-based pain therapies
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Known for thoughtful diagnosis and precision-guided treatment

5. Dr. Edward Sofo, DC – Chiropractic Sports Physician

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic & Sports Medicine
• Years of Experience: Extensive musculoskeletal experience
• Key Treatments: Spinal manipulation, sports injury care, rehabilitation coordination
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Integrates biomechanics and sports medicine for back pain recovery

Dr. Patrick Nierva, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic Care
• Years of Experience: Years of hands-on clinical practice
• Key Treatments: Spinal adjustments, posture correction, chronic back pain care
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Evidence-based chiropractic with patient-centered focus

Dr. Fouad Karam, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
• Years of Experience: Extensive chiropractic experience
• Key Treatments: Disc-related pain, manual therapy, joint mobilization
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Strong integration with medical spine care

8. Dr. Omerkian Baksh, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic Care
• Years of Experience: Clinical chiropractic experience
• Key Treatments: Auto and work injury care, spinal alignment
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Focus on functional recovery after injury

9. Dr. Erick Geleta, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic Care
• Years of Experience: Years of conservative spine care
• Key Treatments: Gentle spinal techniques, mobility restoration
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Ideal for patients requiring low-force chiropractic methods

10. Dr. Je Vonna Hopkins, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
• Years of Experience: Clinical chiropractic experience
• Key Treatments: Spinal adjustment, functional rehabilitation
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Emphasis on long-term spinal wellness

11. Dr. Isaac Kebabjian, DC – Chiropractor

• Location(s): New Jersey
• Specialty: Chiropractic Care
• Years of Experience: Clinical chiropractic experience
• Key Treatments: Disc pain care, posture correction, spinal stabilization
• Insurance Accepted: Most major plans
• Why They’re Notable: Personalized, movement-focused treatment approach

4. What to Look for in a Back Pain Doctor

Not all back pain doctors provide the same level or scope of care. When choosing a specialist, patients should consider the following key factors:

Credentials & Board Certifications

Qualified back pain doctors may be board-certified in:

• Orthopedic Surgery (Spine)
• Pain Management / Interventional Pain Medicine
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
• Chiropractic Medicine

Board certification ensures rigorous training and adherence to evidence-based medical standards.

Experience with Specific Back Conditions

A skilled back pain doctor should routinely treat:

• Herniated and bulging discs
• Sciatica and radiculopathy
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis
• Facet joint pain
• Work, auto, and sports injuries

Range of Treatment Options

The best back pain doctors offer both non-surgical and surgical solutions, including:

• Conservative care
• Image-guided injections
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Surgical intervention when necessary

Patient Reviews & Outcomes

Consistent patient satisfaction, clear communication, and documented improvement in pain and function are essential indicators of quality care.

Insurance & Accessibility

Top providers accept major insurance plans, offer multiple office locations, and ensure timely appointments.

5. How We Picked the Best Back Pain Doctors

The doctors featured in this article were selected using a structured evaluation process focused on quality, outcomes, and accessibility.

Research Sources

• Clinical credentials and board certifications
• Years of experience treating back pain
• Patient feedback and reputation
• Treatment scope and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

Evaluation Criteria

• Demonstrated patient outcomes
• Experience level and specialization
• Treatment diversity (conservative, interventional, surgical)
• Insurance acceptance
• Multiple New Jersey office locations

Only clinicians who actively diagnose and treat back pain were included.

7. Back Pain Treatment Options Explained

Conservative & Non-Surgical

• Physical therapy
• Medication management
• Chiropractic care
• Lifestyle and ergonomic modifications

Interventional Procedures

• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation

Surgical Options

• Microdiscectomy
• Laminectomy
• Spinal fusion
• Disc replacement

Treatment selection depends on diagnosis, severity, and response to conservative care.

8. Insurance & Cost Considerations

Most New Jersey back pain specialists accept:

• PPO and HMO plans
• Medicare
• Workers’ compensation
• Auto injury insurance

Patients are encouraged to verify coverage, pre-authorizations, and out-of-pocket costs before treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know which back pain specialist I need?

Diagnosis determines specialty. Most patients start with pain management or conservative care.

2. What’s the difference between pain management and orthopedic spine care?

Pain management focuses on non-surgical relief; orthopedic surgeons address structural issues and surgery.

3. When should I consider surgery?

Only when conservative treatments fail or neurological symptoms progress.

4. Do most specialists offer telehealth?

Many offer initial consultations via telemedicine when appropriate.

5. Will insurance cover injections or surgery?

Most plans do, pending authorization and medical necessity.