Best Neurological Rehabilitation Doctors in Turkey for Australians

Dr. Ali Zirh has performed over 1,400 deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedures in Turkey. He specializes in treating Parkinson’s disease and complex movement disorders. Dr. Zirh holds a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of DBS patients. He uses microelectrode recording to ensure high precision during brain surgery.

• Completed training at Johns Hopkins, the University of Virginia, and Toronto Western Hospital.
• Winner of the Elekta Award for stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.
• Performed more than 1,900 surgical interventions for movement disorders.
• Member of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.

Associate Professor Mehmet Tonge is a leading specialist in functional neurosurgery, having completed a prestigious Deep Brain Stimulation fellowship at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

• Specialises in surgical interventions for movement disorders, spasticity, and chronic pain
• Expert in MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) for non-invasive neurological treatment
• Member of the European and World Societies for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
• Served as a board member for the Turkish Neurosurgical Society’s functional section
• Extensive academic background with over 30 international publications on neurosurgical outcomes

Dr. Gunesh Yavuzer is a professor of physical therapy and a senior physician at Romatem Rehabilitation Centers. He holds a PhD from Erasmus University in the Netherlands. Dr. Yavuzer specializes in neurological recovery using robotic rehabilitation and gait analysis. He treats complex conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease.

• Expert in robotic gait training and functional recovery for orthopedic cases.
• Published researcher with numerous international works in rehabilitation medicine.
• Treats patients at Romatem Hospitals, a center serving over 5,000 patients annually.
• Performs specialized procedures including Lokomat therapy and Anti-Gravity treadmill training.

Dr Fatih Temizturk has performed over 1,100 rehabilitation procedures and was previously an Assistant Professor at Dumlupınar University.

• Specialises in recovery following stroke, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury
• Expert in treating muscle spasticity using targeted Botox injections
• Uses USG-controlled and intra-articular injections for precise pain management
• Provides paediatric rehabilitation for children living with cerebral palsy
• Trained at Hacettepe University – one of Turkey's most prestigious medical schools

Dr Sule Temizturk specialises in rebuilding independence for patients at Nobel Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. She focuses on recovery after stroke, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis.

• Conducts detailed neurological examinations to customise recovery plans
• Uses hydrotherapy and occupational therapy to improve patient mobility
• Performs trigger point and intra-articular injections for pain management
• Specialised in both adult and paediatric neurological rehabilitation
• Trained at Ankara University Medical Faculty, a top Turkish medical school

Dr. Engin Cakar is a professor and rehabilitation specialist at Memorial Göztepe and Memorial Şişli Hospitals. He specializes in pain medicine, electrodiagnostic neurology, and stroke rehabilitation. Dr. Cakar chair’s the Brain Stimulation and Neurorestoration Working Group. He completed training in brain stimulation at Harvard Medical School.

• Author of over 40 articles in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Treats complex cases using transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation.
• Is a member of the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
• Works at JCI-accredited Memorial Şişli Hospital, a center known for neurosurgery excellence.

Dr. Bestami Yalvac is an Assistant Professor at Galata University in Istanbul. He treats patients at the JCI-accredited Hisar Hospital Intercontinental. Dr. Yalvac specializes in ozone therapy for fibromyalgia and sports injuries. He completed his residency at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital.

• Treats chronic conditions like osteoporosis, rheumatic pain, and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Provides rehabilitation for stroke, spinal cord injuries, and nerve compression.
• Uses techniques such as dry needling, kinesiotaping, and orthopedic rehabilitation.
• Practices at a hospital serving over 500,000 patients every year.

Dr. Nuran Burcu Arkali is a neurologist at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental in Istanbul. She specializes in electrophysiology and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Arkali completed a master’s program in electrophysiology at Istanbul University. She helped establish the neurology clinic and intensive care unit at Diyarbakir Training Hospital.

• Expertise in EEG, EMG, and video-EEG monitoring for epilepsy.
• Treats Parkinson’s disease and dementia using medication and neural therapy.
• Performs Botulinum toxin applications specifically for headache and movement disorders.
• Works at Hisar Hospital, which holds the JCI accreditation for safety.

Dr. Selvinaz Edizer is a pediatric neurology specialist at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital in Istanbul. She focuses on neurological conditions in children and infants. She has held specialized roles at several major Turkish medical institutions. Dr. Edizer works at a JCI-accredited facility recognized for international patient safety standards.

• Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
• Served at Bezmialem Foundation University as a pediatric neurology specialist.
• Completed specialized service at Istanbul Bağcılar Education and Research Hospital.
• Practices at Memorial Bahçelievler, a center known for its eco-friendly recovery design.

Dr. Selin Bozkurt Alp is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist. She earned her medical degree from Uludag University in 2010. She completed specialty training at Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital in 2018. She worked at Giresun Tirebolu State Hospital during compulsory service from 2020–2021. She later served at Istanbul Sultanbeyli State Hospital.

Her practice covers stroke, spinal cord injury, orthopedic rehabilitation, and rheumatic diseases. She provides pain management. She performs botulinum toxin injections, ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections, PRP, ESWT, and robotic therapy (RoboSpine). She also offers acupuncture, phytotherapy, and neural therapy. Her interests include fibromyalgia, cervical and lumbar disc herniation, heel spur, lipedema, and pediatric orthopedic conditions.

Dr Berrin Akpinar treats neurological injuries at Fizyomer Terapia, a centre reporting a 98% success rate in intensive rehabilitation programmes.

• Uses the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment to evaluate basic cognitive skills
• Performs Platelet-Rich Plasma injections to accelerate healing in damaged tissues
• Applies medical-grade ozone therapy to stimulate the immune system during recovery
• Provides specialised rehabilitation for children living with cerebral palsy
• Uses neural therapy injections to manage chronic pain and neurological illness

Professor Baris Metin has performed over 900 neurological procedures and specialises in functional neuroimaging at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital.

• Bridges the gap between diagnosis and recovery with international experience from Belgium and Turkey
• Combines physical therapy with advanced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) sessions for stroke and injury recovery
• Expert in managing complex epilepsy cases using video-EEG monitoring and precise neuroimaging
• Oversees specialised paediatric rehabilitation programmes for children with cerebral palsy

Dr. Celal Salcini is a neurologist and epileptologist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. He specializes in electrophysiology, movement disorders, and dementias. He serves as a neurology specialist at a JCI-accredited facility in Istanbul. Dr. Salcini translates clinical research into patient care for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

• Performs Video-EEG monitoring and electroencephalography (EEG) for epilepsy diagnosis.
• Treats neurodegenerative diseases, essential tremors, and complex spinal pain.
• Authored a chapter on spinal cord diseases for Merritt's Neurology Handbook.
• Provides care in English, Serbian, Bosnian, and Turkish.

Dr. Kursad Aydin is a neurologist and pediatric neurosurgeon at Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul. He treats childhood conditions such as epilepsy and muscular dystrophy. Dr. Aydin completed pediatric neurology training at Gazi University. He works at a JCI-accredited facility that treats 1,000,000 patients annually.

• Uses medication to treat pediatric epilepsy and performs neurological rehabilitation.
• Treats children with cerebral palsy through rehabilitation programs.
• Was a medical faculty member at Gazi University and Selcuk University.
• Practices at a clinic that treats pediatric oncology and hematology cases.

With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, the doctor is a highly accomplished specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology. Clinical expertise encompasses hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, arthroplasty, orthopedic oncology, and trauma surgery. The doctor has held significant positions at various training and research hospitals, including serving as a founding specialist at the Hand Surgery Clinic of Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital.

The doctor has pursued international professional development, including an observership at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. After being appointed Associate Professor in 2018, the doctor attained the rank of Professor in 2024 and currently practices as a specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Dr. Cahide Yilmaz is a pediatric neurologist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She is dually certified in general pediatrics and pediatric neurology. Dr. Yilmaz focuses on brain health and developmental disorders in children. She works at Turkey’s first private neuropsychiatric hospital, which holds JCI accreditation.

• Served as Associate Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Mustafa Kemal University.
• Held a faculty role as Associate Professor at Yıldırım Beyazıt University.
• Treats neurological conditions using advanced monitoring and diagnostic tools.
• Provides care at Europe’s second-ranked brain hospital.