Best Spinal Pain Doctors Abroad for Australian Patients

Dr Celal Salcini co-authored the textbook chapter on spinal cord diseases for Merrit's Neurology, a definitive resource used by medical specialists worldwide.

• Specialises in clinical neurophysiology to accurately diagnose the root cause of chronic spinal pain
• Focuses on the complex organisation of the spine, specifically studying restless legs and nerve conduction
• Expert in electrophysiology, using electrical activity tests to assess nerve and muscle function
• Practises at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, a centre dedicated to neurological and spinal disorders

Dr. Pongwat Polpong is a top neurosurgeon and specialist in regenerative medicine in Thailand. He has more than 15 years of experience in clinical practice, teaching, and research. He trained at Siriraj Hospital, the Neurological Institute of Thailand, and the International Neuroscience Institute in Germany.

Dr. Pongwat has published many research papers on neurosurgery, parasitology, spine disorders, and brain diseases. His work includes studies on percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, cerebral cysticercosis, spinal cord injury, and cerebrovascular disorders.

He performed Bangkok Hospital Chanthaburi’s first endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, a minimally invasive treatment for pituitary tumors. As Chief Physician at EDNA Wellness, he leads programs in Stem Cell Therapy, Neurology, Bone and Joint Regeneration, and Nutrition Enhancement.

Dr Thongrong is a board-certified physiatrist and the Head of Rehabilitation at King Mongkut Chaokhunthahan Hospital, specialising in non-invasive spinal pain relief.

• Uses ultrasound-guided hydrodissection to release trapped nerves and soothe chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Specialises in radio-frequency and advanced laser therapy for targeted, surgery-free pain management
• Presented research on surgical and anatomical skills at the 17th Ottawa Conference in Perth, Australia
• Instructor of Musculoskeletal System and Body Movement at the KMITL Faculty of Medicine

Associate Professor Ozdogan Selcuk is a neurosurgery specialist who completed a prestigious clinical fellowship under the guidance of world-renowned neurosurgeon Professor Gazi Yasargil.

• Specialises in spinal surgery and nerve repair at the Estexper Clinic
• Holds a Molecular Medicine Doctorate from Yeditepe University Health Sciences Institute
• Member of the Turkish Spine Association and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Completed surgical training at Saint Louis University in the United States
• Served as a senior specialist at several major university and research hospitals

Education: 

Degree                       Program                                             University                   Year

Bachelor                     Medical Sciences                               İstanbul University     1995

Master Degree           Medical Sciences                               İstanbul University     1997

Doctorate and expertise in medicine

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology     İstanbul University     2004

Assistant professor     

İstanbul Bilim University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology İstanbul Bilim University        2009

Associate professor

İstanbul Bilim University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology İstanbul Bilim University        2011

Clinical Neurophysiology Subspecialty          

İstanbul Bilim University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology İstanbul Bilim University        2011

PhD Thesis:

INVESTIGATION OF ANTI-GANGLIOSIDE AND ANTI-GLUTAMIC ACID DECARBOXYLASE ANTIBODIES IN JUDICIAL MYOCLONIC EPILEPSY AND INVESTIGATION OF SUBCLINIC ANTERIOR HORN INVOLVEMENT BY ESTIMATE MOTOR UNIT COUNT METHOD-2002

Experience

Research Assistant 

Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University        1998-2004

Specialist

Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital, Department of Neurology       2004-2009

Assistant Professor

Istanbul Bilim University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology 2009-2011

Assoc. Prof.     

Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital Department of Neurology 

İstanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital 

Memberships to Scientific Organizations:

Turkish Medical Association

Turkish Neurology Association

Turkish Association for Combating Epilepsy

Turkish Clinical Neurophysiology EEG-EMG Association

Association of Child Neurology and Neuroimmunology

Awards:

Clinical Neurophysiology Congress (Antalya-2013): First prize for the poster paper titled "Continuous Video-EEG Monitoring Findings and Clinical, Laboratory and Imaging Characteristics of Patients Monitored in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit Due to Alertness Defect"

National Epilepsy Congress (Muğla-2012): "Does Semiology Tell Us the Origin of Seizures Consisting Mainly of Alteration of Consciousness?" Kenan Tükel publishing award for his publication

National Epilepsy Congress (Izmir- 2008): First prize in the field of epilepsy congress publications with the publication titled "Reduced axon number in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy demonstrated by motor unit number estimation analysis"

National Epilepsy Congress (Ankara- 2004): First prize in the field of epilepsy congress publication with the publication titled "No association of anti-gm1 and anti-gad antibodies with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy"

Turkish Clinical Neurophysiology EEG-EMG Association, 19th National Clinical Neurophysiology EEG-EMG Congress (Trabzon-2002): Congress publication award for the publication titled "Epileptic seizures in Behçet's disease".

Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council scientific publications incentive award-2002: (With the publication titled "Epileptic Seizures In Behçet's Disease")

Turkish Neurology Association, 38th National Neurology Congress - 2002: Second prize for the oral presentation titled "Investigation of subclinical anterior horn involvement in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy with the estimated motor unit number method".

Turkish Epilepsy Association and Sanofi Pharma Scientific Research Project Support Award - 2001: "Investigation of anti-ganglioside antibodies in juvenile myoclonic epilepsies" thesis project.

Dr Ali Osman Mucuoglu is a neurosurgery specialist at Atlas University Hospital, where he focuses on resolving complex spinal pain through surgical intervention.

• Completed the prestigious Mehmet Zileli Advanced Spinal Surgery Course twice to master complex back and neck procedures
• Specialises in treating cervical extradural schwannomas – nerve sheath tumours that cause significant spinal pain
• Trained in functional neurosurgery with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies to improve patient nerve function
• Uses minimally invasive surgery techniques to reduce recovery times and postoperative discomfort for spinal patients
• Active member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies

Dr. Suwit Tangcharoenwathanakul is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine disorders. He has subspecialty training in spine surgery.

Doctor of Medicine (MD), Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University (2010). Diploma in Orthopedic Surgery, Hatyai Hospital (2015). Fellowship in Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Center of Excellence, Lerdsin Hospital (2020).

Dr Kittiprachakul is a board-certified physiatrist at PYONG Rehabilitation Group, specialising in non-surgical pain management for spinal and musculoskeletal conditions.

• Expert in Western dry needling to release myofascial trigger points in the back and neck
• Uses focused shockwave piezo technology to treat chronic pain without invasive surgery
• Specialises in neurorehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries and nerve pain
• Trained in electrodiagnostic studies to precisely identify the source of nerve-related pain
• First Class Honours graduate from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's premier medical school

Dr Tara Rak-areekul achieved first place in the National Formative Neurological Examination and serves at PYONG Rehabilitation Group with a focus on comprehensive neuro-recovery.

• Specialises in managing complex nerve pain and headache disorders linked to spinal health
• Trained at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in cognitive and clinical neurology
• Won the national Epilepsy Quiz Tournament for her diagnostic expertise in neurological cases
• Certified in international stroke treatment and movement disorder principles
• Contributes to the Chula Neuroscience Series on behavioral management in neuro-disorders

Somjet Tosamran, MD, is a neurologist. Dr. Tosamran is a fellow in epilepsy at the Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand (2024–present). Dr. Tosamran completed a neurology residency at the same hospital (2021–2024). Earlier training includes internships at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital and Sakaeo Crown Prince Hospital.

Accreditations and education: Neurologist certification, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (2024). Master of Science in Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (2024). Doctor of Medicine, First Class Honors, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (2018).

Dr Rawipa Khunnarong specialises in interventional rehabilitation at PYONG Rehabilitation Group, focusing on non-surgical ways to fix persistent back and neck issues.

• Uses dry needling techniques to release deep muscular trigger points and ease spinal tension
• Performs musculoskeletal interventions to improve mobility without relying on invasive surgery
• Completed specialized training in sports rehabilitation and exercise medicine
• Member of the Thai Rehabilitation Medicine Association (TRMA)
• Manages complex spinal pain cases through targeted physical therapy and neurorehabilitation

Dr. Ulvi Samadzade is a neurologist with training from Azerbaijan State Medical University, Gazi University, and Dokuz Eylul University Hospital. He diagnoses and treats neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, movement disorders, stroke, migraine, and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Samadzade uses advanced treatments, including botulinum toxin injections, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, migraine vaccines, and plasmapheresis. He practices at İzmir University of Economics Medical Point Hospital.

He is a member of several professional organizations. These include the Multiple Sclerosis Research Association, Turkish Neurological Society, European Academy of Neurology, and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS).