Dr. Cash is the Medical Director and co-founder of SPINE OPTIONS. He is part of Neurosurgeons of New York. SPINE OPTIONS was formed using knowledge from years of experience along with months of consultation, to develop a comprehensive center for Non-Surgical Care of the Neck and Back. SPINE OPTIONS officially opened in January 2005 with the mission of providing the perfect combination of techniques for both evaluating and treating neck and back ailments. The center utilizes both traditional and complementary medicine and specializes ONLY in neck and back pain.

Dr. Cash is a physiatrist, a specialist trained in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has extensive background and knowledge in treating patients with spinal dysfunction and neuromusculoskeletal disorders. His residency was completed at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. He then spent several years as Medical Director of a large subacute rehabilitation program. He is a graduate of New York Medical College and Emory University.

Dr. Cash has a special interest in sports medicine, injuries and occupational medicine. He realizes that pain management services are under-utilized, as there are many patients that suffer from chronic pain who have failed conventional treatment and are not surgical candidates. He has always had the vision to create a single center that has the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat an array of neck and back disorders in a single location. The center offers a variety of options to treat patients according to the specific needs, hence the name SPINE OPTIONS.

Dr. Cash is highly trained and has expertise in evaluating and designing treatment programs for neck and back pain individuals. He has extensive training in electrodiagnostic medicine and injection techniques for the relief of pain. He has had great success treating patients that have otherwise failed conventional treatments.

Andrea Wolkenberg graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979 with a degree in physical therapy. Since then, she has developed her evaluation skills and manual treatment techniques by studying with many of the luminaries in orthopedic manual medicine and movement re-education, such as James Cyriax, John Mennell, Lawrence Jones, John Barnes, Stanley Paris, Shirley Sahrmann, Sandy Burkart, among numerous others. She has also become a certified Kinesio Tape instructor, and integrates The Kinesio Taping Method, a relatively new modality for pain management and neuro-muscular re-education, into her treatment approach.

Over the past 20 years, Andrea has worked consistently with chronic pain patients in numerous outpatient settings, and has developed a holistic and eclectic approach to the successful treatment of back and neck pain. Her method identifies all the physical stressors contributing to the painful condition. She then partners with her patients in systematically resolving each one with a combination of manual treatment, postural and movement re-education, targeted therapeutic exercise and a home exercise program.

In addition to her work with orthopedic pain patients, prior to joining SPINE OPTIONS, Andrea was the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation Services of a large rehabilitation facility on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for many years.

Raphel Labelson received his B.A in Biology from the University of Delaware with honors. He pursued further studies at South Baylo University in Anaheim, California where he graduated with a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and a B.S. in Holistic Science. In addition, Raphel has done extensive research and had charted an outcome research project for Multiple sclerosis while attending Graduate School. Raphel has been practicing acupuncture as a pain management specialist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan prior joining the Spine Options team.

Raphel Labelson, a certified acupuncturist, has found acupuncture to be very successful in relieving pain in patients with low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel, migraines and other instances of chronic pain. With his combined background in Oriental medicine and acupuncture experience, Raphel has been routinely treating numerous cases with excellent outcomes when conventional medicine remedies proved unsuccessful.

Raphel is Nationally Board Certified (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture in the United States and is a licensed Acupuncturist in New York State. He is an active member of the National Board of Acupuncture and National Strength and Conditioning Association and is conducting several studies regarding chronic pain management.

Maria has been in practice for over 14 years as a licensed massage therapist. She is a graduate of the prestigious Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in New York City and is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey. She is Founder and President of her own massage therapy practice, Alonso Massage Therapy, LLC.

She has extensive training in Medical Massage, Orthopedic Post-Injury Massage treatments, Sports massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Relaxation Massage, Maternity Massage and other advanced modalities, including Thai Massage.

Maria’s expertise includes extensive work with chiropractors, doctors and physical therapists. She also has been an instructor at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy. Her extensive client list includes a host of sports figures and celebrities.

Bill Connington is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. He is the former Chairman of the Board of the American Center for the Alexander Technique and co-author of “The Alexander Technique” published by Harper Collins. Bill is a former faculty member of the Julliard School, The Actors Studio Drama School at New York University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He lectures nationally on the Alexander Technique and postural reeducation issues.

Tonya Ridgely, Reiki Master and Light Ascension Therapist, is known for her sensitivity and ability to nurture those in need of care. She trained at The Children of Light Center for Personal Healing in New York City in bioenergetics and has integrated sound therapy learned at The New School University in the Music Therapy Program under the direction of Dr. Louise Montello. Her desire to help create an overall balance in health within herself and others, has lead he to train in other healing modalities such as yoga, nutrition and bodywork, She treats private clients of all ages and has assisted in groups and workshops.