May 27, 2026
Spine Pain in Northern Florida? Southeast Orthopedic Specialists Is Here to Help With Its Expanded Spine Division
A 2026 Guide from Southeast Orthopedic Specialists
Spine pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek orthopedic care, and one of the most misunderstood. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 619 million people experienced low back pain in 2020, with that number projected to rise to 843 million by 2050 due to population growth and aging. Spine-related pain may be present in the lower back, neck, or radiate into the arms or legs, significantly impacting mobility, daily activities, work, and overall quality of life.
At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (SOS), we take pride in expanding access to advanced spine care with the addition of expert spine care specialists, including board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Rowan.
Understanding the Spine & Your Care Path
The spine is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves that work together to support movement, stability, and flexibility. When any of these components are irritated or injured, symptoms can range from localized stiffness and aching to radiating nerve pain such as burning or electric-like sensations into the arms or legs.
Spine pain generally falls into two categories:
- Mechanical pain: Aching, stiffness, or soreness often related to muscles, joints, or discs.
- Nerve-related pain: Sharp, burning, or shooting pain caused by nerve compression or irritation.
A key part of care is understanding the full picture behind a patient’s symptoms before creating a treatment plan.
Why Spine Pain Is So Common
Spine issues often develop from a combination of lifestyle factors and natural aging. Common contributors include prolonged sitting, repetitive movement or lifting, increased screen time and poor posture, sports injuries, and age-related disc or joint degeneration.
While causes vary, the result is often the same: reduced mobility, persistent discomfort, and limitations in daily activity.
A Shift Toward Minimally Invasive & Outpatient Spine Care
Modern spine care has increasingly shifted toward minimally invasive and outpatient procedures, allowing many conditions that once required long hospital stays to now be treated in ambulatory surgery centers. These techniques are designed to reduce tissue disruption and support faster, more efficient recovery.
They are commonly used for conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, nerve compression, and select cases of spinal instability.
For patients, this evolution in care often means smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, reduced postoperative pain, and quicker recovery times, with many able to return home the same day or the next.
Dr. Rowan’s Approach to Spine Care
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Rowan and our physician’s plans are designed to prioritize conservative therapies whenever appropriate while also offering advanced surgical solutions for patients who need them.
“My philosophy of care when seeing a patient is to really understand the entire story. So I look at their history, get a thorough and detailed physical, and the most important part is imaging, whether that’s X-rays or an MRI or CT,” said Dr. Rowan.
Watch Dr. Rowan explain his approach to spine care: Dr.Rowan.mp4_v.1.mp4.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options may include:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Image-guided injections and PRP therapy
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Outpatient spine procedures
The goal is always to reduce pain, restore function, and help patients safely return to the activities they enjoy.
“We can see a lot of things on X-ray, MRI, or CT that really don’t apply to the patient – they may be incidental findings – and that’s why understanding the story is so important,” said Dr. Rowan.
Expanding Access to Spine Care in Northern Florida
As SOS continues to grow its spine division, the addition of Dr. Andrew Rowan reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding access to advanced orthopedic care throughout Northern Florida.
Patients now have greater access to both non-surgical and minimally invasive treatment options closer to home, supported by a collaborative team focused on individualized care and long-term outcomes.
One of the defining strengths of SOS is its integrated care model.
“One of the unique things about working for Southeast Orthopedic Specialists is really the breadth of care we provide. We have specialties in pretty much all disciplines of orthopedic surgery but also in pain management and chiropractic care and physical therapy,” said Dr. Rowan.
That multidisciplinary foundation is further strengthened by advanced clinical expertise across the organization.
“Most of our non-surgical providers are fellowship trained meaning we can provide the highest level and the most modern techniques of surgical care,” said Dr. Rowan.
Moving Forward
Spine pain may be common, but it does not have to define your quality of life.
With advances in minimally invasive spine surgery, outpatient procedures, and personalized treatment pathways, patients today have more options than ever before to move better and live with less pain.
At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, Dr. Rowan and the spine team are committed to helping patients across Northern Florida find relief and return to the activities that matter most.
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