Neuro-Spine First
Begin With a Nerve Expert
When you begin with Neuro-Spine First, you are not being pushed toward a specific treatment or procedure. You are starting with nerve experts focused on understanding the root cause of your symptoms and guiding you toward the safest next step.
What is Neuro-Spine First For?
If you’re dealing with back pain, neck pain, or symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Many people start with the wrong type of specialist simply because they assume their problem is related to bones, joints, or muscles. But in many cases, these symptoms are actually connected to the nerves of the spine.
Neuro-Spine First is designed to be the right starting point.
Instead of guessing, you begin with nerve experts who are trained to evaluate how the spine and nervous system work together-helping you better understand what may be causing your symptoms and what to do next.
Neuro-Spine First for Neck Pain
Neck pain can show up in many different ways-stiffness, headaches, pain radiating
into the shoulders or arms, or even numbness and tingling in the hands.
These symptoms are often related to irritated or compressed nerves in the cervical spine, but they’re not always easy to interpret without the right evaluation.
Neuro-Spine First for Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care-but not all back pain is the same.
Pain that travels into the legs, known as sciatica, as well as symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, are often signs that spinal nerves may be involved.
Symptoms We Commonly Evaluate
Our nerve experts regularly evaluate patients experiencing:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica or leg pain
- Arm or shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in mobility or function
These symptoms can have different causes, and understanding the source is the first step toward the right care.
With Neuro-Spine First, you begin with a nerve-focused consultation that looks beyond the surface of your symptoms. Our team helps determine whether your discomfort may be coming from the nerves in your neck and guides you toward the most appropriate next step-whether that’s conservative care, further evaluation, or specialist treatment.
Meet the Neuro-Spine First Team
Joy Charnesky
Joy is a neurosurgery-focused nurse practitioner whose clinical focus is spine care. She helps patients understand their symptoms, navigate their evaluation, and move confidently toward the right treatment.
Karen Schoepflin
Karen is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgical spine care, bringing years of neurological critical care experience to help patients navigate their condition with clarity. compassion, and expert guidance.
Brittany Ring
Brittany Ring is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgical spine care with a background in neuroscience intensive care. She works alongside neurosurgeons to help patients understand their spine conditions and guide them through personalized treatment and recovery.
Easy Access, Clear Answers
With Neuro-Spine First, patients have fast convenient access to our nerve experts through telehealth consultations-so you can begin understanding your symptoms without unnecessary delays.
During your consultation, they’ll listen to your symptoms, ask the right questions, and begin evaluating what may be causing your discomfort. From there, they help guide you toward the best next step, whether that’s additional evaluation, conservative care, or connecting you with the appropriate specialist.
It’s a simple, accessible way to start-with a team that’s ready to help you find clarity.
A Network Built Around the Right Care
Not all spine-related symptoms require surgery-and knowing where to go next can be one of the most confusing parts of the process.
That’s why Neuro-Spine First was designed with a full-service spine care network behind it. In addition to our team of nerve experts, we’ve built a robust referral network that includes academic neurosurgeons, pain management specialists, physical therapists, and other trusted providers.
After your evaluation, we help guide you to the right type of care for your specific needs not a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether your next step involves therapy, non-surgical treatment, or a specialist consultation, our team connects you with providers we trust.
Just as importantly, we help you find care close to home. Our network spans communities across New Jersey, so you can access the right provider in your area without unnecessary travel.
As one of the **leading spine care networks in New Jersey, our role is to make sure you don’t have to navigate this process alone. We bring together the right expertise, in the right place, at the right time-so you can move forward with confidence
Need more info? Check out our most frequently asked questions.
Need more information? Contact us at 973-506-2730 to schedule a consultation with one of our cervical spine specialists.
What is Neuro-Spine First?
Neuro-Spine First is a guided starting point for patients experiencing back, neck, arm, or leg symptoms. It begins with an evaluation led by nerve experts who specialize in the nervous system of the spine to help identify the possible source of your symptoms.
What is the Neuro-Spine First Evaluation Report?
After your evaluation, you will receive a Neuro-Spine First Evaluation Report. This document summarizes what the nerve expert observed during your visit and explains the potential cause of your symptoms in clear, understandable language.
Many patients find the report helpful because it gives them a clear reference point for understanding their spine and nerve health.
Why start with a nerve expert?
Many symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness originate from irritated or compressed nerves in the spine. Beginning with a nerve expert can help clarify the underlying issue sooner and guide patients toward the right care.
Does Neuro-Spine First mean I need surgery?
No. In many cases, patients benefit from non-surgical care such as physical therapy, pain management, or monitoring. The goal of Neuro-Spine First is to understand the cause of symptoms and guide patients to the most appropriate treatment.
What symptoms should prompt a Neuro-Spine First evaluation?
You may benefit from a Neuro-Spine First evaluation if you are experiencing:
- Persistent back or neck pain
- Sciatica or pain radiating into the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking or maintaining mobility
What happens after the evaluation?
After your evaluation, you will receive a Neuro-Spine First Evaluation Report summarizing what the nerve expert observed and outlining possible next steps. Our team will then guide you toward the most appropriate path forward, which may include additional imaging, non-surgical care, or consultation with a specialist depending on your situation.