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Neurology & Neurosurgery

NeuroSpine: 417.347.7200
Neurology: 417.347.7300

Top-of-the-Line, Neurology and Neurosurgery Services

Freeman NeuroSpine provides surgical and nonsurgical treatments for conditions ranging from back pain, work-related injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome to stroke and complex spinal diseases. Our expert, multidisciplinary team includes neurosurgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, surgical assistants and physical therapists.

Neurology and Neurosurgery Services

  • Medicine for the management of spinal problems
  • Diagnostic studies using the latest radiology technology
  • Physical therapy
  • Pain management
  • Innovative surgical intervention
  • Rehabilitation unit

 

Freeman NeuroSpine diagnoses and treats

  • Acute and chronic back pain
  • Ambulatory difficulties/ataxia
  • Brain or spinal tumors
  • Brain disorders and injuries
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cervical herniated disk
  • Cervical myelopathy
  • Degenerative back conditions
  • Degenerative neck conditions
  • Dementia/memory loss
  • Dizziness/vertigo
  • Headaches/migraines

 

  • Insomnia
  • Lumbar herniated disk
  • Muscle weakness
  • Neuropathy
  • Radiculopathy
  • Seizures
  • Sleep apnea
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Spinal deformity, stenosis or tumors
  • Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis
  • Spinal fractures due to trauma
  • Strokes
  • Work-related injuries

Freeman NeuroSpine Treatments

    Most patients with back pain and spinal problems do not require surgery. Freeman NeuroSpine’s neurologists and physiatrist services are equipped to diagnose and provide care for these disorders with a wide variety of conservative treatments. Typical treatments include active and passive physical therapy, prescription medications, and interventional medicine, such as joint and epidural steroids.

    Freeman NeuroSpine also uses treatments like vagus nerve-stimulator implantation and Botox® injections. The vagus nerve stimulator, often described as a pacemaker for the brain, prevents seizures by sending small electrical impulses to the brain. Botox injections help reduce muscle spasms and are effective in other neuromuscular disorders.
     

    Surgery is necessary in a relatively small percentage of cases, but it may be recommended if back or neck pain is accompanied by nerve damage. If surgery is required, the team at Freeman NeuroSpine has the expertise and the technology to perform the necessary procedure.

    Our dedicated surgical team utilizes the newest techniques including vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, intraoperative evoked potential monitoring, computer-assisted spinal navigation and minimally invasive spinal surgery.

    Whether the surgical procedure involves laminectomy and laminotomy, fusion of vertebrae, intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) or artificial lumbar disk replacement, Freeman NeuroSpine strives for the ultimate positive outcome in every case.
     

    Freeman NeuroSpine Specialized Services

      Freeman utilizes the revolutionary O-arm2® Imaging System – one of the most advanced imaging devices available – for use in spinal, orthopaedic and trauma surgeries. 

      During spinal surgery, precision means everything. O-arm technology provides surgeons with clear, real-time, 3-D images of the back, neck and spine bones. Images are displayed on a large, digital flat screen, allowing the surgeon to see precisely where to place surgical instruments and implants while maneuvering around organs and delicate spinal nerves. This helps preserve healthy tissue and shorten the length of surgery. As a result, patients typically experience less invasive surgeries, faster recovery times and improved outcomes.

      A fully portable device, O-arm enables the surgeon to check implant placement before leaving the operating room, minimizing the need for follow-up adjustment procedures. Its use may also reduce the need for additional imaging before, during and after surgery. The O-arm delivers a 360-degree scan and 3-D images with exceptional resolution in about 30 seconds.

      O-arm imaging system

      Migraines affect people’s lives very significantly. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but researchers and doctors have found different treatments to help patients, including Botox®. Dr. Gulshan Uppal at Freeman Neurology & Headache Clinic is one of only a few physicians in this area to offer Botox treatment for chronic migraines.   

      Women with headache

      Freeman offers specialized non-surgical spine care services in our Joplin office!  Why wait weeks to see a specialist?  This first and only comprehensive service of its kind offers patients:

      • Pain management options
      • Physical therapy
      • X-ray/CT/MRI imaging
      • Surgical assessment and referral for fast-tracking
      • Counseling
      • Rapid access appointments

      Click here to learn more about Freeman's spinal care services.

      NeuroSpine: 417.347.7200 Neurology: 417.347.7300

      Neurology and Neurosurgery

      Joplin, MO

      Learn more

      Freeman NeuroSpine Providers

      Laurie Behm, MD
      Laurie Behm, MD

      Neurosurgeon
      417.347.7200

      Meet Dr. Behm
      Brian Curtis, MD
      Brian Curtis, MD

      Neurosurgeon
      417.347.7200

      Meet Dr. Curtis
      Margaret Ellen Nichols, MD
      Margaret Ellen Nichols, MD

      Neurosurgeon
      417.347.7200

      Meet Dr. Nichols
      Joshua C. Sweaney, DO
      Joshua C. Sweaney, DO

      Neurosurgeon
      417.347.7200

      Meet Dr. Sweaney
      Cherylon A. Yarosh, MD
      Cherylon A. Yarosh, MD

      Neurosurgeon
      417.347.7200

      Meet Dr. Yarosh
      Gulshan Uppal, MD, FAAN
      Gulshan Uppal, MD, FAAN

      Neurologist
      417.347.8093

      Meet Dr. Uppal
      Anna M. Wojcicka-Mitchell, MD, FAAN
      Anna M. Wojcicka-Mitchell, MD, FAAN

      Neurologist
      417.347.7300

      Meet Dr. Wojcicka-Mitchell
      Morgan Drake, MD
      Morgan Drake, MD

      Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
      417.347.3659

      Meet Dr. Drake