ABOUT US

At Atlanta Neurological and Spine Institute, Dr. Christopher Edwards specializes in innovative back pain solutions. Using a strategic combination of video technology, laparoscopic techniques and traditional spinal surgery, Dr. Edwards takes a minimally invasive approach to surgery. As a result, patients can look forward to a short hospital stay when compared to the results of traditional open back surgery.

Atlanta Neurological and Spine Institute is ready to serve you. We encourage you to explore this site and learn more about the back and our unique approach to providing back pain solutions. We also welcome your questions.

During your initial visit you will be seen by our staff who will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. A focused neurological examination will then be made by your doctor.

While many patients want to discuss in great detail the exact event which may have caused their injury, the most important information your healthcare team needs involves your symptoms (such as where you have pain, weakness, numbness, etc.) and what limitations these symptoms place on your everyday activities.

Please take the time to write down this information.

After reviewing your medical history and diagnostic tests, you will be presented with a number of treatment options. We will inform you of the risks and benefits of each option and will assist you in making the final decision concerning which option is best for you.

You are the only one who can decide which treatment is best for you. It is important that you recognize that you have a responsibility to participate in, and take ownership of, any decisions involving your health care. You will be asked to make the final decision about what is best for you, so ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Your family and close friends are an important part of the collaborative process. We encourage you to include them in any education sessions we provide concerning your condition. If you choose to have surgery, we will make every effort to keep family members informed of your progress and to involve them in your recovery process.

Deciding which treatment option is best for you involves weighing the risks and benefits associated with each option. If you eventually choose to have surgery, your physical condition and your mental attitude will determine your body’s ability to heal. You must approach your surgery with confidence, a positive mental attitude and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. You should have realistic goals — and be willing to work steadily to achieve those goals.

Dr. Christopher R. Edwards

As a leader in the field of adult spinal disorders, Dr. Christopher R. Edwards brings exceptional skill and knowledge to the specialty of adult spine rehabilitation and reconstruction.  He is widely respected as one of the foremost experts in the non-operative treatment of back and neck pain, using newer techniques that were designed initially to treat high performance athletes.  In addition, he is considered an expert and pioneer in the development of endoscopic (minimally invasive) spine surgical techniques for those patients requiring a higher level of care.Dr. Edwards was recruited to come to the Southeast as part of the Atlanta Sports Medicine Clinic because of his capabilities in the treatment of professional and high performance athletes, as well as his expert abilities in the use of endoscopic spine technology.  In 1995, he was asked to join Resurgens Group where he has continued to excel and has been recognized for performing a series of firsts in his field.  He was the first to perform a thoracoscopic discectomy and fusion in the state of Georgia.  He was the first to perform the laparoscopic (gasless) anterior lumbar discectomy in the state.  He was the first to perform the percutaneous transforaminal Micro Endoscopic Discectomy (MED) in the state.

He was also the first to introduce and use the Watkins Protocol Stabilization Rehab Program in the metro Atlanta area.  Dr. Edwards is considered a leader in the field of minimally invasive spine surgical techniques and has

been asked on numerous occasions to lecture, teach and demonstrate these new procedures to many of his colleagues, both here in the United States, as well as in Europe and South Africa.

Dr. Edwards is a second generation Morehouse man, having graduated from Morehouse and the Morehouse School of Medicine.  He completed his surgical internship and residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He credits his expertise in spine training to the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic/ USC in Los Angeles where he completed his spine fellowship under the world renowned spine specialist, Dr. Robert G. Watkins.  Since 1994, he and his family have lived in Atlanta.

Dr. Edwards served as assistant clinical professor of surgery at the Morehouse School of Medicine and is a member of professional organizations, which include the North American Spine Society, the National Medical Association, the Georgia State Medical Association and the Atlanta Medical Association.  In addition, he has served as, President, GA Physicians Association, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Grady Memorial Hospital (FDHA), where he was recognized as one of the principal leaders in engaging the business community and formulating a plan to save the hospital from eminent closure. Recently he founded and produced Lifeline, a health communications program which focuses on health disparities within poor and minority communities. Dr. Edwards also serves as spine consultant for numerous professional and high performance athletes, colleges, universities and organizations, which include Morehouse College, Clark-Atlanta University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Albany State College, Nike Professional Golf Tour Championship/Atlanta, the Gene Sarazen World Open, and USA Olympic Physician, Athletes Village, Atlanta Olympic Games, 1996. Recently he was asked and agreed to serve another term as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Morehouse School of Medicine, where he serves on the Academic Affairs, Finance and

Investments Committees.

Dr. Edwards has been honored to be keynote speaker for several fund raising, community and educational groups, including but not limited to the following:  the University of Arkansas, subject The Ripple Effect, North Carolina Central University, subject Education Matters, the Concerned Black Clergy, subject Saving Grady and Cascade United Methodist Church, subject The Son, of the son, of the son. He was further honored as the recipient of Father of the Year award presented by the Metro Atlanta Concerned Clergy 2007.

Dr. Edwards served as the Chair of the Health Committee for United Way of Metropolitan of Atlanta 2009 2010, and is the Chief Medical Officer for AWCNetworks, LLC, a health services company focused on the area of workers compensation, injury prevention, correctional healthcare, audit and analytical services for effective medical management and cost savings.

Although his practice focuses on non-operative treatment using new therapies and modalities, his expert surgical skill has not gone unnoticed, where he has been spotlighted in the Atlanta media as a spine specialist and The Medical Man.  Dr. Edwards has helped hundreds of people return to active, fulfilling lives following spine injury.  However, he feels his most important contribution is in service to the community as a Christian, a family man, and educator of young men and women. His goal is to be able to provide service and render assistance wherever and whenever it is needed, to the best of his ability and to always first give God the glory.