A spinal cord stimulation expert, Dr. Christopher Bovinet has performed over a thousand of these pain relieving and functional restorative procedures with an incredible success rate. “This procedure is a great tool I utilize for patients who have failed prior spine surgeries or when no surgery is indicated or desired by the patient. Patients may try the procedure out before ever having it implanted,” he said.
Dr. Bovinet is also prolific in minimally-invasive posterior sacroiliac joint (SI joint) fusion as the first physician in the world to complete 100 of the LinQ SIJ fusion procedures. “This minimally invasive procedure is providing amazing long-term results.”
With his vast knowledge in the pain management field, Dr. Bovinet serves as the medical director of The Spine Center of Southeast Georgia and The Brunswick Pain Treatment Center. He serves as a consultant for several spine medical advisory boards and is a key opinion leader in the field of neuromodulation (SCS). He is a director-at-large for the Georgia Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and is a member of several other key spine, interventional pain, and neuromodulation societies. He is driven in his work by seeing amazing patient outcomes in individuals that had lost hope and thought nothing could be done for them. He enjoys giving patients their lives back.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry/pre-med at Lee University in Tennessee, he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He finished an internship at Botsford Hospital in Michigan. Medical College of Virginia served as the site for his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency and interventional pain management fellowship. He served as the chief fellow.
Dr. Bovinet was first drawn to pain management medicine because he always wanted to work in the musculoskeletal field. “During residency, my first rotation was in the Spine Center at the Medical College of Virginia,” he recalls. “I was hooked from the first day. I love the interplay of the spine, the nervous system and working as a cross between a neurosurgeon, ortho-spine surgeon, neurologist and pain management expert.”
When putting together an individualized treatment plan, Dr. Bovinet adheres to prescribing as little medication as possible. “Medications may help get somebody through a treatment plan while we’re actively trying to treat their spinal disorder, but why try to cover it up with meds when we can fix the problem with a minimally invasive approach?”
Dr. Bovinet always listens to his patients first because “more often than not, they can tell you exactly what’s going on. They might not know the medical terminology, but they can describe it for you.”
After getting a thorough history, performing an appropriate physical examination and reviewing imaging such as CT and MRI scans with the patient, Dr. Bovinet can determine both the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. “The patient leaves the room understanding exactly what’s going on in their spine and precisely what we’re going to do to treat it,” he said.
Away from the office, Dr. Bovinet enjoys traveling with his family in their RV, eating and cooking food, playing water sports, weightlifting, playing basketball and watching sports.
