The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson

Discussions with successful doctors such as Dr. James Cox, Dr. Kurt Olding,
  • 4.9 (19)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

The Back Doctors podcast is weekly conversations with doctors from around the world sharing patient stories as they inform, educate, and offer hope for the millions of people who have back pain.

  1. 3d ago

    333 Dr. Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos - Disc Extrusion

    Dr. Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos shares a story about a 41-year-old male with a disc extrusion who was told he needed immediate surgery.  Listen as Dr. Nikolaos shares how he successfully treated this patient who ultimately did not require back surgery. Nikos Kalogeropoulos was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. He qualified as a Chiropractor from the now University of Johannesburg in 1998 and in 1999 qualified as a Chiropractic Sport Physician. Along with his private practice he worked at many sporting events, from local events to international events, like the IAAF All African Games. In 2002 he starts his career in a private practice in Athens, Greece while parallel working with the top track and field Athletes of Greece for the upcoming Olympic Games in 2004. He continued to work at local and international sporting events. His experience with athletes expands his field of work in tennis, cycling, basketball, gymnastics, golf and football, rowing, swimming and many more. His main concern is the restoration of normal functioning of the vertebral column and generally the whole neuromuscular system. The main technique used for restoring normal functioning of the spine is the adjustment. The adjustment is a high velocity, short lever thrust directed specifically to alter the state of the three-joint complex, bringing ease and self-healing. Realizing that perfect functioning of the human body needs more than just perfect workings of the neuromusculoskeletal system. He believes that our emotional state plays a large role in our wellbeing. He therefore engaged in the teachings of Donald Epstein's Network Spinal Analysis now know as Epienergetics from 2005. From 2011 and for six consecutive years Nikos Kalogeropoulos voluntarily offers his services to the athletes of the 'Spartathlon', an ultra-marathon from Athens to Sparta covering a distance of 246 km non-stop. In 2015 he follows Pete Garbutt's seminars and becomes a certified Enhanced Running instructor. This technique is designed to identify and correct errors in your running technique that can put extra stress on areas such as knees and back. In 2015 he was the president of the organizing committee which organized the joint World Federation of Chiropractic and European Chiropractors Union convention in Athens Greece. As a further personal need to understand and approach patients in 2017 Nikos Kalogeropoulos embarks in a three-year course to become a health counsellor through Athens Synthesis Centre which is affiliated with COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland). He is a member of the Hellenic Chiropractors Association (and was part of the executive council for 6 years), the European Chiropractors Union, the World Federation of Chiropractic. He is a Specialist Fellow in Sports with the European Academy of Chiropractors. A certified Rock Doc and certified in the Functional Range Release technique and Functional Anatomy. Resources: Connect with Dr. Kalogeropoulos Find a Cox Certified Doctor The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

    333 Dr. Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos - Disc Extrusion

  2. Aug 10

    332 Dr. Kurt Olding - Stenosis

    Dr. Kurt Olding shares with us the latest published recommendations for conservative treatment for spinal stenosis. 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: Minster Chiropractic Center kurt.olding@gmail.com Find a Back Doctor thebackdoctorspodcast.com The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical References: Young I, Dunning J, Butts R, Bliton P, Zacharko N, Garcia J, Mourad F, Charlebois C, Gorby P, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. Spinal manipulation and electrical dry needling as an adjunct to conventional physical therapy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. Spine J. 2024 Apr;24(4):590-600. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.12.002. Epub 2023 Dec 14. PMID: 38103739. Ammendolia C, Hofkirchner C, Plener J, Bussières A, Schneider MJ, Young JJ, Furlan AD, Stuber K, Ahmed A, Cancelliere C, Adeboyejo A, Ornelas J. Non-operative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication: an updated systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 19;12(1):e057724. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057724. PMID: 35046008; PMCID: PMC8772406.   Schneider MJ, Ammendolia C, Murphy DR, Glick RM, Hile E, Tudorascu DL, Morton SC, Smith C, Patterson CG, Piva SR. Comparative Clinical Effectiveness of Nonsurgical Treatment Methods in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2019 Jan 4;2(1):e186828. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6828. PMID: 30646197; PMCID: PMC6324321.   Bussières A, Cancelliere C, Ammendolia C, Comer CM, Zoubi FA, Châtillon CE, Chernish G, Cox JM, Gliedt JA, Haskett D, Jensen RK, Marchand AA, Tomkins-Lane C, O'Shaughnessy J, Passmore S, Schneider MJ, Shipka P, Stewart G, Stuber K, Yee A, Ornelas J. Non-Surgical Interventions for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Leading To Neurogenic Claudication: A Clinical Practice Guideline. J Pain. 2021 Sep;22(9):1015-1039. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.147. Epub 2021 Apr 12. PMID: 33857615.   Comer C, Williamson E, McIlroy S, Srikesavan C, Dalton S, Melendez-Torres GJ, Lamb SE. Exercise treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis: A systematic review and intervention component analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clin Rehabil. 2024 Mar;38(3):361-374. doi: 10.1177/02692155231201048. Epub 2023 Sep 16. PMID: 37715644; PMCID: PMC10829420.   Bise CG, Schneider M, Freburger J, Fitzgerald GK, Switzer G, Smyda G, Peele P, Delitto A. First Provider Seen for an Acute Episode of Low Back Pain Influences Subsequent Health Care Utilization. Phys Ther. 2023 Sep 1;103(9):pzad067. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzad067. PMID: 37379349.   Hernandez-Martínez J, Cid-Calfucura I, Vásquez-Carrasco E, Perez-Carcamo J, Herrera-Valenzuela T, Aravena-Sagardia P, Barramuño-Medina M, Valdés-Badilla P. Timed Up-and-Go as a predictor of fracture risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis in a population of over 1.6 million people. Front Public Health. 2026 May 11;14:1841017. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1841017. PMID: 42200137; PMCID: PMC13199231.   Henn MC, Rae A, Fecker AL, McIntyre M, Larsen A, Wright J. A Nationwide Survey of the Spine Education of Medical Students. Cureus. 2026 Apr 4;18(4):e106443. doi: 10.7759/cureus.106443. PMID: 42093772; PMCID: PMC13139429.   James G, Ahern B, Goodwin W, Goss B, Hodges P. ISSLS Prize in Basic Science 2025: Structural changes of muscle spindles in the multifidus muscle after intervertebral disk injury are resolved by targeted activation of the muscle. Eur Spine J. 2025 May;34(5):1600-1613. doi: 10.1007/s00586-025-08646-x. Epub 2025 Jan 15. Erratum in: Eur Spine J. 2025 May;34(5):2046. doi: 10.1007/s00586-025-08744-w. PMID: 39810036.   Gong G, Yan Z, Lai Q, You P, Yu P, Li X, Wang Z, Lin S, Dai Y, Jiang H, Liu J. Inflammation preservation strategy: reconciling pain control and disc resorption in lumbar disc herniation. Front Immunol. 2025 Sep 2;16:1653681. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1653681. PMID: 40963597; PMCID: PMC12436131.

    332 Dr. Kurt Olding - Stenosis

  3. Aug 3

    331 Dr. Lloyd Redington - Cervical Myelopathy

    Dr. Lloyd Redington shares a story of a gentleman who experiences neck pain and arm symptoms.   Dr. Lloyd M. Redington, Jr. graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1999. He has been practicing chiropractic in Michigan since 1999.  In 2001 he opened the doors of Complete Chiropractic in Buchanan.  In 2006, the office relocated to Niles-Buchanan Road where we continue to serve the people of southwest Michigan and northern Indiana.  Dr. Redington is a Cox Certified practitioner and is knowledgeable in many different techniques including Gonstead, Activator, Diversified, Thompson and Pierce-Stillwagon. In addition to the different adjusting techniques, Dr. Redington has experience in the Active Release Technique (A.R.T), Sacral Occipital Technique (S.O.T) and Kinesio Taping. Dr. Lloyd Redington is a member of the Michigan Association of Chiropractors and the Colorado Chiropractic Association. Resources: Contact Dr. Redington Find a Back Doctor Discat-Plus-Enhanced The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

    331 Dr. Lloyd Redington - Cervical Myelopathy

  4. Jul 6

    330 Dr. Kiran Patel - Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation

    Dr. Kiran Patel shares a story of a post-surgical continued spine pain patient that gets relief after having a dorsal root ganglion stimulation procedure. 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: Neuromodulation Abbott Clinic Locator Show Sponsor: The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

    330 Dr. Kiran Patel - Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation

  5. Jun 29

    329 Dr. Sean Altman - Trying to Avoid Orthopedic Surgery?

    Dr. Altman is a Functional Medicine Doctor with expertise in Energy Medicine, Bioelectric Signaling, and Regenerative Orthopedics.  He 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

    329 Dr. Sean Altman - Trying to Avoid Orthopedic Surgery?

  6. Jun 22

    328 Dr. Kurt Olding - Finding the Right Spine Care Provider

    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 Find a Back Doctor thebackdoctorspodcast.com The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

    328 Dr. Kurt Olding - Finding the Right Spine Care Provider

  7. Jun 15

    327 Dr. Michael Park - Combining the Decompression and Fusion Surgery and Neuromodulation for Low Back Pain

    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

    327 Dr. Michael Park - Combining the Decompression and Fusion Surgery and Neuromodulation for Low Back Pain

  8. Jun 8

    326 Dr. Anna Jurik - Cox Technic for the Cervical Spine

    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 Find a Back Doctor The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

    326 Dr. Anna Jurik - Cox Technic for the Cervical Spine
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The Back Doctors podcast is weekly conversations with doctors from around the world sharing patient stories as they inform, educate, and offer hope for the millions of people who have back pain.

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