Freedom from spine pain
The spine program at the Northern California Spine Institute is designed to offer a variety of treatment options to patients suffering from back or neck pain. We recognize that spine pain is a multifaceted challenge—our practice offers the resources and support to help patients improve their condition with treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
Spine conditions and treatments
At the Northern California Spine Institute, we work with you to determine the cause of your pain and to put together a treatment plan that gets you back to doing the things you love. Whether your back or neck pain is due to an injury, disc disease or condition like arthritis, our team will get to the root cause. Advanced treatments of the cervical (neck) and/or lumbar (lower back) spine include:
- Minimally invasive spinal surgery
- Spinal reconstructive surgery
- Revision surgery
- Treatment of spinal compression fractures
- Therapeutic spine injections
- Spinal fusion and interbody fusion
- Disc replacement
- Laminectomy
Get Back to More of What You Love
When your spine feels good, so do you
Chronic or severe back pain can keep you from doing the things you love most. At Northern California Spine Institute, we don’t just provide treatments for pain relief, we strive to get patients back to living the lives they love. That’s our commitment to our patients.
Meet Our Providers
We strongly believe the best outcome after spine treatment occurs with the coordinated efforts of a team of individuals, each specially trained and dedicated to provide excellent medical care to you.
Testimonial
If you want specialists who are honest, professional, easy to talk to and do a great job, then this team is who you want. I’m thoroughly impressed.
Troy Shahen, Surgery Patient
Our Locations
From the Sierra Foothills to the Central Valley, doctors are referring their back and neck pain patients to the Northern California Spine Institute.
Northern California Spine Institute - Sonora
(209) 536-5778
900 Greenley Road, Suite 914
Sonora, CA 95370
Monday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Northern California Spine Institute - Modesto
(209) 536-5778
200 W. Roseburg Avenue, Suite B1
Modesto, CA 95350
Monday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A Leader in Spine Care
We get better results through high-quality care
We have earned national recognition for our quality of care with the the Blue Cross and Blue Shield designation as a Blue Distinction® Center for spine surgery, a distinction given to hospitals with expertise in providing high-quality specialty care. Our experience and advanced treatments mean we’re able to care for even the most complex cases.
Additional Information
Surgical spine treatments
After our team has thoroughly evaluated your condition and non-surgical options have failed, the physicians may recommend that you have surgery. The type of surgical procedure performed will depend on the exact nature of your spinal condition, and the physician will describe this procedure to you in detail during your appointment. For more details on many of the procedures we perform, please take a few moments to watch the videos by clicking on the links below.
Cervical procedures
The cervical region consists of the top seven vertebrae nearest the skull. Joints in the cervical region allow the head to swivel and nod.
One of the most common cervical spine conditions is cervical radiculopathy, which is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the cervical spine. Because these nerves travel to the shoulders, arms and hands, an injury in the cervical spine can cause pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in these areas.
Lumbar procedures
The thoracic region consists of 12 vertebrae that serve as attachment points for the ribcage. The lumbar region consists of five vertebrae in the lower back and is the main weight-bearing section of the spine.
One of the most common lumbar/thoracic spine conditions is lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica). This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine causing pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in the hips, buttocks, legs or feet.
What to expect from spine surgery
At Northern California Spine Institute, you are the most important piece in the puzzle. From your first appointment through recovery and beyond, you will work with an expert team of physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists, and other staff members to form a care plan specific to your condition and activity goals. Our team works diligently to provide you with the safest and most effective treatments so you can find relief.
We are here to provide you with the tools and education needed to achieve the best possible result from your spinal surgery. Our expectations are that you educate and prepare yourself before the surgery by attending the Spinal Surgery Class. This will involve reading and studying the materials given to you at your doctor’s office or at the class and preparing your home for your recovery.
After surgery, we encourage you to enthusiastically involve yourself with team efforts to effectively manage your pain, mobilize quickly after surgery and return home to familiar surroundings for your recovery. We need you to actively participate, on a daily basis, in the rehabilitation exercises.
Non-surgical spine treatments
Our physicians have special training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal problems with an emphasis on spinal disorders. While most patients do not require surgery, they may benefit from some form of non-operative management of their spinal problems. The Institute provides a wide array of these services for the benefit of our patients. A large number of patients are managed with education, medications, activity modification, and physical therapy. In addition, we offer non-surgical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Insurances not accepted
- EPO (unless it is Blue Cross of Blue Shield/Covered California)
- HMO
- Medi-Cal
New patient forms
After you have scheduled your initial visit to NCSI, our staff will mail you a detailed questionnaire (may be downloaded below) which needs to be completed prior to your arrival at the institute. Please complete this as accurately as possible, as this information will play an important role in your evaluation and treatment. The form is available using Acrobat Reader or a compatible program that reads pdf files.
During your visit, the doctor will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. You will also receive a physical examination of your spine. We will review your diagnostic studies, x-rays, CT or MRI scans that may have been obtained by your referring physician.
If additional test are required to assist in diagnosis, we will order them at the conclusion of your visit. On completion of your visit you will be presented with a treatment plan. We strive to actively involve the patient in the treatment and decision making process.
Testimonial
I have no pain and am fully functional again. The entire surgery team was fantastic—upbeat, positive, friendly. I would put all my eggs in their basket.
Sharon Hunt, Surgery Patient
Adventist Health Sonora
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