Dr. Mark J. Wang is one of the trusted orthopedic spine surgeons at Desert Institute for Spine Care. He has been practicing since 2012, treating disorders of the thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spine.

He’s an ideal orthopedic surgeon if you’re not so good with invasive procedures, as he’s known to choose the least invasive treatment that can work for you. We also commend his honesty. He’s quite frank about what he can and cannot do right off the bat.

However, he frequently attends conferences and seminars, so his schedule is a bit unreliable for urgent spinal procedures.

In the meantime, we became quite scared when we heard about our treatment plan, but since Dr. Wang displayed confidence while explaining everything clearly, we were able to become more comfortable towards the end.

He’s also focused on improving his patients’ daily quality of life, so expect him to provide you with exercises like cat-cow stretches and child’s pose.

Makes patients comfortable about their treatment plans

“I had an exceptional experience at DISC in Gilbert, thanks to Dr. Wang and his PA Tyler Knudsen. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, which immediately put me at ease. The staff reflected a positive, energetic vibe that made the entire visit feel welcoming and stress-free.

Both Dr. Wang and Tyler Knudsen demonstrated incredible bedside manner—kind, patient, and genuinely attentive to my concerns. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made me feel comfortable and confident about my treatment plan. It’s rare to find a facility that combines such professionalism with warmth and compassion. I’m truly grateful for the care I received and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking spinal care.”

– Angie D., Google Review

Very straightforward

“Dr. Wang is very direct he doesn’t tell you what you would like to hear all the time but he is truthful which is very respectable”

– Nadine Berry, Google Review

When our mom struggled with nagging back pain, we immediately looked for a spine specialist that’s very patient with stubborn and persistent elderly, and that’s when Dr. Byron Willis from The Core Institute got on our radar.

Our neighbor, who’s also a senior, raved about how happy he was with Dr. Willis’ care. And true enough, he’s really gentle with the older folks, patiently answering all their questions. He’s also very detail-oriented, perfect if you’re very particular.

Dr. Willis has been practicing neurosurgery since 2002 and has been dedicated to learning new surgical treatments for the spine. In fact, he has been a leader in utilizing intraoperative CT imaging for spine surgery at Banner University Medical Center.

When it comes to their facility, we love how clean and well-lit the patient rooms are. We also spent quite a bit of time in their waiting area, and we love that they have comfortable lounge chairs, so we really didn’t mind the long wait.

Just take note that their elevator from the parking lot isn’t really friendly for people with mobility issues.

Efficient appointments

“Such a friendly place to go. Every appointment I’ve had at this office has been quick and efficient”

– Ron Gonzales, Google Review

Impressive follow-through

“Very satisfied , all my questions answered, options explained and offered. They were very patient and followed thru with everything discussed promptly after I left.”

– Carmen Minton, Google Review

If you’re only dealing with chronic back or neck pain and need a pain management physician to look after you, then Dr. Todd Turley from Advanced Spine and Pain may be the spine specialist you need.

We’re quite impressed with this spine specialist’s approach to patient care. During our initial consultation, we were surprised to spend almost half an hour in the clinic, carefully reviewing our medical history and lifestyle.

Because of his thorough initial assessment, we were confident to hear the treatment plan he had for us. Additionally, we appreciate that he provided us with quick and safe exercises that we can do at home while addressing our back and neck pain.

So yes, Dr. Turley is known for his preventive care measures. Expect him to manage your daily exercises, and even encourage you to make lifestyle adjustments—as simple as maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your spine and joints.

However, the team tends to reschedule appointment dates when Dr. Turley is unavailable. You can be transferred to another doctor if your concern is quite urgent.

Great focus on clients

“I’ve had several epidurals in my upper and lower back. Dr. Turley always tries to make them as painless as possible and he always makes sure I’m his center of attention when I’m seeing him.”

– Diane Smith, Google Review

Very compassionate to patients

“Thank you for the support and compassion Dr. Turley. I may be “tough” but you, your staff and your compassion make all the difference in the world. Thank you for everything you do to try and make your patients lives better. 🙏🏻”

– K Mc, Google Review

Another board-certified neurosurgeon on our list is Dr. Harvinder Bedi from Camelback Spine Care. He’s your go-to spine specialist if you want someone who provides his expertise with a personal touch.

What we love most about him is that he’s very approachable. During our initial visit, his voice was remarkably calm, which immediately eased our worries.

After getting to know us, including our daily lifestyle, he gave us different treatment options. 

You’ll surely love that he adjusts his treatment plan based on your comfort level and lifestyle. If a minimally invasive procedure can work for you, then he will probably prioritize that.

On top of that, telehealth services are available here at Camelback Spine Care. It’s much more convenient for initial consultations and follow-ups when you can’t make it to the clinic.

And if your recovery needs extra support, you can expect that physical therapy is almost next on Dr. Bedi’s treatment plan. The best part about it is that they also offer this in-house, so you don’t need to book this elsewhere.

Unfortunately, Dr. Bedi isn’t available on weekends. If that’s your only availability, then you may need to look for another specialist.

Makes patients feel at ease

“Dr. Bedi and his staff are exceptional! My wife and I felt completely comfortable and confident in their care—which is not something we’ve experienced often with other medical professionals in Arizona. Having back surgery is a daunting prospect, and I consulted with several spine surgeons before making a decision. Dr. Bedi was the only doctor who made me feel confident and at ease. I would not trust any other doctor to operate on my back so yes, I would highly recommend doctor Bedi.”

– Bruce B, Google Review

Great assessment skills

“They figured out what was wrong with me in about 20 minutes while the US Navy Medicine and the Phoenix VA couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me for the past 7 years with multiple doctors. Incredibly grateful for the care I have received here. Thank you so much.”

– Col Tom, Google Review

Dr. Erik Curtis from Atlas Neurosurgery & Spine concentrates on spinal surgery (both invasive and non-invasive) and spinal fusion. 

What prompted us to reach out to him was his expertise in providing stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injuries, which is quite difficult to find in the Phoenix area.

Beyond that, his clinic also specializes in neurological services. These include the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions, epilepsy, neurotrauma, and even neuro-oncology.

For those unfamiliar, neuro-oncology deals with brain and spinal tumors. We love that this expertise is available in-house, so there is no need to look elsewhere for specialized care.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Dr. Curtis could be quite pushy when it comes to recommending surgery. Still, with a very supportive staff and a calming clinic atmosphere, our anxiety was immediately eased.

We also love that our first visit didn’t even feel like a medical appointment. Dr. Curtis spoke to us as if we’d known him for years, which really helped us feel more at ease.

Great follow-up care

“I cannot express enough gratitude for Dr. Eric Curtis and the exceptional care he provided during my son’s recent surgery to remove a tumor. From our very first consultation, Dr. Eric Curtis demonstrated not only remarkable expertise but also a genuine compassion that immediately put us at ease during a difficult time. His thorough explanations and willingness to answer all of our questions showcased his commitment to ensuring we understood every aspect of the procedure. Dr. Eric Curtis’s ability to communicate with sensitivity and clarity truly exemplifies his outstanding bedside manner. The surgery was a success, and the follow-up care has been just as impressive. Dr. Eric Curtis’s dedication to my son’s well-being has been evident at every stage of the process. He has a remarkable ability to connect with his patients and their families, instilling confidence and hope when it is needed most. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Eric Curtis to anyone seeking a skilled and compassionate neurosurgeon. His exemplary care and professionalism have made a significant difference in our lives, and we are forever grateful. Thank you, Dr. Eric Curtis, for your unwavering support and exceptional skill!”

– Lynn Lott, Google Review

Goes through MRI and X-ray results in detail

“This is by far the most incredible practice I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a patient of. Dr. Curtis is a top tier surgeon who takes the time to explain your X rays and MRIs while giving you the best possible options to treat the issues you’re dealing with. Before getting to Atlas I was ping ponged around doctors, specialists, and pain management places who hardly gave me the time of day never mind sitting me down to explain my issues in way that made sense to me. His NP Amy is an absolute saint and is an amazing, caring and compassionate human. The whole office staff here is outstanding, extremely caring, and always there to pick up the phone and help pre and post surgery. Nancy who is one of the schedulers there has been my hero through this process and has gone to bat and fought for me through any and all hurdles I encountered along the way of pre and post surgery. I can’t say enough about how good she was to me. All in all this place deserves 10 stars because of the care and compassion they showed and continue to show me even after surgery. Dr. Curtis performed an anterior inter body lumbar fusion on my L5 and it was the best thing I could have possibly done. I was at the end of my rope with the pain I was dealing with on a daily basis and pain meds, PT, and injections were not helping at all. He identified the problem, showed me what he believed the root cause was on my X rays and MRIs, explained the pros and possible cons of the procedure and his solution worked like a charm! I’m no longer dealing with the issues that have plagued me for years, and him and his office were incredible through the entire process and continue to be incredible during my journey of healing back up. I can’t say enough good things about this practice, the staff, Amy and Dr. Curtis. Thank you guys for everything and I can’t recommend this place enough. If you’re dealing with chronic pain that is ruining your life these guys can help and they help in way that is caring and compassionate.”

– Andrew Poirier, Google Review