Expert Back Pain Care Serving Marlboro, NJ
If you are looking for a back pain doctor near Marlboro NJ, Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS, sees patients at The Spine and Performance Institute in Edison — approximately 25 minutes from Marlboro via Route 9 North to Route 18 North/Route 1. Dr. Sharan is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon who evaluates every patient thoroughly before recommending surgery. For most back pain patients from Marlboro, non-surgical treatment is the first step — and Dr. Sharan will only recommend surgery when conservative care has been exhausted and the anatomy clearly warrants it. When surgery is needed, his pioneering awake technique uses regional anesthesia with sedation, no general anesthesia, and same-day discharge in most cases.
Years Experience
Why Marlboro Patients Choose Dr. Sharan for Back Pain
Board-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship-trained at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
Castle Connolly Top Doctor & NY Magazine Best Doctor
Conservative-first approach — surgery only when necessary
Pioneer of awake spinal fusion in the United States
100+ peer-reviewed published studies
201 five-star Google reviews — 5.0 rating
Co-editor of Awake Spine Surgery — Thieme Medical Publishers (2026)
Dr. Alok Sharan — Back Pain Specialist Serving Marlboro and Monmouth County
Marlboro residents no longer need to travel to Manhattan or Philadelphia to see a nationally recognized back pain specialist. Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS, brings world-class spine expertise to within 25 minutes of Marlboro at The Spine and Performance Institute in Edison, NJ. Fellowship-trained at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Dr. Sharan is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, NY Magazine Best Doctor, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed studies across his 20+ year career. As Deputy Editor of Clinical Spine Surgery, he is nationally recognized for his expertise in both surgical and non-surgical management of back pain conditions.
Dr. Sharan takes a conservative-first approach with every Marlboro patient. He begins with a thorough evaluation — reviewing your imaging, medical history, and symptoms — and recommends non-surgical treatments whenever appropriate. Physical therapy, pain management, and targeted injections resolve the majority of back pain cases without surgery. When surgery is the right option, Dr. Sharan’s pioneering awake technique means patients from Marlboro and across Monmouth County can have spinal surgery and return home the same day in most cases, recovering in 2–4 weeks rather than 6–12.
Common Causes of Back Pain Treated for Marlboro Patients
Back pain can stem from a wide range of conditions. Dr. Sharan evaluates and treats the full spectrum of causes for Marlboro and Monmouth County patients:
Back Pain Conditions We Treat
Back Pain Treatment Options for Marlboro Residents
Dr. Sharan offers a full range of treatment options, always starting with the least invasive approach:
Non-surgical first — physical therapy, targeted exercises, anti-inflammatory management
Interventional pain management — epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks
Minimally invasive spine surgery — when conservative care fails
Laminectomy and discectomy — nerve decompression
Lumbar fusion — awake technique, same-day discharge
Lumbar spine surgery — awake TLIF, ALIF, XLIF
ACDF — cervical fusion for neck-related back pain
When Is Back Surgery Necessary?
Most back pain does not require surgery. Dr. Sharan recommends surgery for Marlboro patients only when conservative treatment has been given adequate time to work (typically 6–12 weeks) and one or more of the following apply:
Severe or progressive nerve compression causing weakness, numbness, or loss of function
Spinal instability that cannot be managed non-surgically
Herniated disc with significant neurological deficit
Spinal stenosis causing significant limitation of daily activity
Imaging confirms a structural problem that directly explains your symptoms
When surgery is the right choice, Dr. Sharan’s awake approach — using regional anesthesia with sedation rather than general anesthesia — means fewer complications, faster recovery, and same-day discharge for most patients from Marlboro and across Monmouth County. Learn more about spine surgery for Marlboro patients.
Awake vs Traditional Spine Surgery
| Traditional Spine Surgery | Awake Spinal Fusion — Dr. Sharan |
|---|---|
| General anesthesia | Regional anesthesia with sedation |
| 1–3 day hospital stay | Same-day discharge in most cases |
| 6–12 week recovery | 2–4 week recovery |
| Higher complication risk | Fewer complications, less blood loss |
| Higher cost | Lower cost, most insurance accepted |
Getting to Our Edison Office from Marlboro NJ
From Marlboro, take Route 9 North, then merge onto Route 18 North/Route 1 toward Edison — approximately 25 minutes total. Our office is at 35-37 Progress St., Suite B5, Edison, NJ 08820 with ample on-site parking. You may upload your MRI online before your visit so Dr. Sharan can review your imaging in advance. No referral needed. Phone: (732) 898-3950
Frequently Asked Questions — Back Pain Doctor Marlboro NJ
Do I need a referral to see a back pain doctor near Marlboro NJ?
No referral is needed. Marlboro patients can book directly by calling (732) 898-3950 or visiting our contact page. You may also upload your MRI so Dr. Sharan can review your imaging before your first visit.
Does Dr. Sharan treat back pain without surgery?
Yes. Dr. Sharan always evaluates non-surgical options first. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, and targeted injections resolve the majority of back pain cases. Surgery is only recommended when conservative care has been given adequate time and a structural problem is clearly confirmed on imaging.
What is the difference between a back pain doctor and a spine surgeon?
A spine surgeon can provide both surgical and non-surgical evaluation — with the expertise to tell you when surgery is truly needed and when it is not. Dr. Sharan’s dual training means Marlboro patients get an honest assessment from someone qualified to perform surgery but committed to avoiding it unless it is the right choice.
How far is the office from Marlboro NJ?
Our office at 35-37 Progress St., Suite B5, Edison, NJ 08820 is approximately 25 minutes from Marlboro via Route 9 North to Route 18 North/Route 1. Call (732) 898-3950 to schedule your appointment.
How quickly can a Marlboro patient be seen?
New patients from Marlboro are typically seen within 1–2 weeks. Upload your MRI online in advance so Dr. Sharan can review your imaging before your consultation and come prepared with a treatment plan. Call (732) 898-3950 to get started.
Dial 732-898-3950 now to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help change your life.
Dr. Sharan also treats back pain for patients from nearby Freehold, Marlboro, Manalapan, and across Monmouth County. For surgical needs, see our dedicated spine surgery Marlboro NJ page.
