Spinal Pain Doctors Abroad — Page 2

Dr. Ornicha Thititagul (Dr. Faangkaow) is a geriatrician and lecturer in the Geriatric Medicine Division at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. She practices at Siriraj Samut Sakhon Geriatric Healthcare Center and Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital.

Accreditations include: M.D. (Second Class Honors, 2017); Diplomate, Thai Board of Internal Medicine (2021); WHO‑SEARO ICOPE Master Trainer (2021). Additional credentials: Diplomate in Geriatric Medicine (2023); Diplomate, International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (2024).

Research highlights include: a randomized controlled trial on oral nutritional supplements in older adults (Geriatrics, 2024); PG‑SGA versus MNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (Support Care Cancer 33, 116, 2025); and Thailand’s first abacavir hypersensitivity case report (J Med Assoc Thai, 2021). She was on the host team and served as a moderator at the 10th Asian Conference of Frailty and Sarcopenia in 2024.

Associate Professor Burak Eren is a specialist neurosurgeon who focusing on complex spinal conditions. He leads clinical research into why lumbar discs re-herniate and how spinal alignment affects long-term surgical success.

• Treats degenerative spinal diseases including slipped discs and spinal canal stenosis
• Specialises in spinal stabilisation and decompression to relieve chronic nerve pressure
• Authored textbook chapters on managing traumatic thoracolumbar and sacral spinal injuries
• Published research on the role of co-morbidities in surgical recovery for older patients

Prof. Dr. Yasef began his medical education at Istanbul University in 1973 and graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1979. He started his specialization in neurology at the same university in 1980 and became a neurologist in 1985. During his specialty training, he spent 6 months at Hacettepe University in the Neurology Department in Ankara.

After becoming a neurologist, he completed 3.5 years of obligatory government service, spending the first 1.5 years at the Iskenderun Navy Hospital and the next 2 years at Diyarbakır Social Security Hospital. He returned to Istanbul University in 1989.

Prof. Dr. Yasef worked abroad in the United States from 1990 - 1991, focusing on dementia and behavioral neurology.

In 1994, he became an Associate Professor and continued working at Istanbul University until 1999. Between 1999 - 2002, he worked at Florence Nightingale Hospital, and then at Kozyatağı Acıbadem Hospital from 2004 to 2013.

Since 2013, he has been a valuable part of the team at Florence Nightingale Hospital.

Specialties

• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Headaches

Work Experience

• Military Service at Iskenderun Navy Hospital, 1985 - 1986
• State Service at Diyarbakır S.S.K. Hospital, 1986 - 1989
• Florence Nightingale Hospital, 1999 - 2002
• Kozyatağı Acıbadem Hospital, 2004 - 2013
• Florence Nightingale Hospital (Since 2013)

Dr Alireza Soltanzadeh is a specialist in algology – the field of medicine dedicated to relieving chronic pain through advanced targeted treatments.

• Specialises in pain management at Istanbul Okan University Hospital
• Completed a fellowship in cardiac anaesthesia at Istanbul's Çapa Medical Faculty
• International research focus on ozone therapy for pain relief and patient safety
• Active member of several international anaesthesiology and medical societies
• Fluent in multiple languages including English, German, and Turkish

EDUCATION:

2014 ADNAN MENDERES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES, CHILD NEUROLOGY

2011 IZMIR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL, CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES

2011 Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Child Health and Diseases

2004 DICLE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE

EXPERIENCE:

2018 Istanbul Medipol Hospital

2017 - 2018 Kartal Education and Research Hospital

2014 - 2016 Denizli State Hospital

2011 - 2014 Aydin Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine Hospital

2006 - 2011 Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital

2011Izmir Education and Research Hospital

Regular member of the Korean Society of Radiology

Founding member of the Korean Society of Interventional Neurology

Founding member of the Korean Stroke Society

Regular member of the American Stroke Association

Regular member of the World Stroke Society

Regular member of the World Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery

Regular member of the European Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery

Regular member of the Intervention Society

24 pieces of overseas and domestic thesis presentation (SCI)

50 times of overseas and domestic conference lectures

Areas of Interests

• General Neurology
• Clinical Neurophysiological examinations (Electromyography, evoked potentials, electroencephalography, polysomnography)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
• Muscle diseases
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Sleep and sleep disorders
• Migraine botox and botulinum A toxin applications

Education:

• 1980-1985 Atatürk Elementary School
• 1985-1988 Anamur High School
• 1988-1991 Anamur High School
• 1991-1998 Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in English
• 2000- 2004 PTT Education and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic (Medical Specialization Student)
• 2007-2010 Istanbul University Health Sciences Experimental Medicine Research Institute Electroneurophysiology Master's Program
• 2012- Clinical Neurophysiology Sub-branch Specialist

Experiences:

• September 2023-Currently Haliç University Faculty of Medicine, Faculty Member
• January 2023-Currently Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Department of Neurology
• 2014- August 2023 Bilgi University Health Sciences Vocational School Electroneurophysiology Department, Faculty Member
• 2019- 2022 Ataşehir Private Avicenna Hospital, Neurology Department
• 2009-2018 Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital Neurophysiology Laboratory (Specialist Doctor)
• 2007-2010 Istanbul University Health Sciences Experimental Medicine Research Institute Electroneurophysiology Master's Program
• 2005-2006 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurology Electrodiagnostics Department EMG Laboratory
• 2000-2004 PTT Education and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic (Specialist Student in Medicine)

Professor Gogusgeren uses microsurgical techniques at Avicenna International Hospital to treat debilitating spinal conditions. He specialises in surgeries using small incisions and high-powered microscopes to ensure safer outcomes.

• Performs minimally invasive spinal surgery – uses smaller cuts for less muscle damage and faster recovery
• Specialises in microsurgery which allows for greater precision around sensitive spinal nerves
• Follows a ‘first do no harm’ philosophy, only recommending surgery when a clear benefit is certain
• Maintains direct patient contact by providing his personal mobile number for post-operative support

Associate Professor Hatice Balaban brings senior neurological expertise to Liv Hospital Vadistanbul, focusing on complex nerve and movement disorders that contribute to persistent spinal pain.

• Specialises in botulinum toxin therapy to relieve muscular spasticity – helping reduce stiffness and pain without invasive surgery
• Previously served as an Associate Professor at Cumhuriyet University – training the next generation of neurologists
• Expert in treating movement-related gait and balance disorders to improve patient mobility
• Member of the Turkish Neurological Society and the Parkinson's Disease Society