Long IslandSpine Specialists (631) 837-2359

Back pain? See Long Island's spine specialists.

Most back pain gets better without surgery. We find the real cause and start with the least invasive option.

★★★★★4.8 on Google · 1,000+ reviews
  • Accepting new patients, no referral usually needed
  • Most major insurance plans accepted, including Medicare
  • 4 offices: Commack, Riverhead, Bay Shore, West Hempstead
Spine specialist examining a patient

Request a consultation

Takes 30 seconds. We'll call you to schedule.

Prefer to talk? Call (631) 837-2359, available 24/7
Newsweek Top 150 Spine Surgeons Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2025 Newsday Top Doctors 2025 NY Top Docs 2025 Physician partners with Catholic Health
8Spine specialists
30+Years of spine care
1,000+Google reviews, 4.8 ★
4Long Island offices
Where does it hurt?

Tap where you feel it.

Back pain has many causes. Here is what our specialists most often find.

Illustration of the back and spine
How we treat back pain

Surgery is the last step, not the first.

Our team includes both interventional pain physicians and spine surgeons, so you get the right level of care from day one.

Find the real cause

A thorough exam with on-site X-ray and MRI coordination. Your first visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. We don't rush it.

Treat it without surgery first

Physical therapy, targeted injections and medication management, led by board-certified interventional pain physicians.

Surgery only if you need it

Minimally invasive and motion-preserving options from fellowship-trained, nationally recognized spine surgeons.

Specialist explaining the spine on a model

Most patients never need surgery.

Herniated discSciaticaSpinal stenosisDegenerative disc diseaseScoliosisSpinal fracturesFailed back surgeryChronic back pain
Patient reviews

What our patients say

★★★★★
"After seeing multiple doctors, some recommending major multi-level surgery, I felt discouraged and hopeless. Meeting Dr. Mermelstein changed everything. He listened, identified the true issue on my MRI, and recommended the least-invasive solution."
KSKen S. · Google review
★★★★★
"Dr. Dowling is very accurate with the diagnosis. He is kind and really attended to all my needs with a comprehensive plan for treatment. He is a great communicator and caring."
DBDaniel B. · Google review
★★★★★
"Dr. Dowling III was very professional and took the time to explain my condition and our next steps. The entire staff was also quite nice and took their time."
JMJulia M. · Google review
Our physicians

Eight specialists. Spine care is all we do.

Spine surgeons and interventional pain physicians working as one team, led by founder Dr. Thomas Dowling, with more than 30 years of spine care on Long Island.

Dr. Thomas Dowling

Dr. Thomas Dowling, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Founder

Dr. Laurence Mermelstein

Dr. Laurence Mermelstein

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Sushil Basra

Dr. Sushil Basra

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Christopher Frendo

Dr. Christopher Frendo

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Thomas Dowling III

Dr. Thomas Dowling III, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Joseph T. Sanelli

Dr. Joseph T. Sanelli, DO

Interventional Spine Physiatrist

Dr. Arjang Abbasi

Dr. Arjang Abbasi, DO

Interventional Spine Physiatrist

Dr. Neal Frauwirth

Dr. Neal Frauwirth, MD

Interventional Spine Physiatrist

Swipe to meet our spine specialists →

Four Long Island offices

Care close to home

Our team in the Commack office
OfficeOfficeOffice

Commack

763 Larkfield Rd, 2nd Floor
Commack, NY 11725

Directions

Riverhead

800 Old Country Rd
Riverhead, NY 11901

Directions

Bay Shore

45 Park Ave
Bay Shore, NY 11706

Directions

West Hempstead

565 Hempstead Turnpike
West Hempstead, NY 11552

Directions
Common questions

Before your first visit

Do I need a referral?

Most insurance plans do not require a referral to see a spine specialist. We recommend checking with your insurance provider, and our team can help verify your coverage.

Do you accept my insurance?

We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Our staff will verify your coverage and explain your benefits before your appointment.

Will I need surgery?

Not necessarily. Most back pain is treated with non-surgical options like physical therapy, injections or medication. Surgery is only recommended when conservative treatment hasn't given you relief.

What should I bring?

Your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications and any previous imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT). If you don't have imaging, we can order it for you.

Ready to get your life back from back pain?

Talk to our team today. We'll find a time at the office closest to you.