Minimally Invasive Back & Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Back & Spine Surgery
Dr. Amir Vokshoor is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of adult cranial and spinal disorders.
Dr. Amir Vokshoor is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive surgical treatments. With over 20 years of dedicated experience, he is a leading advocate for advancements in the field, recognized for his expertise in spinal disc replacement, motion-preserving technologies, and his pioneering integrative holistic approach to brain and spine health. Currently serving as the Chief of Surgery at Providence St. John’s Health Center, he has earned an international reputation for his surgical skills and commitment to a comprehensive perspective on brain and spine wellness.
Dr. Vokshoor has been recognized as one of Los Angeles’ Top Doctors every year since 2016 and was named one of America’s Best Spine Surgeons in 2024 by Newsweek, based on an independent survey. He established the Neurosurgical Spine Group, the Neurovella Brain Spa (a modern meditation spa), and the Institute of Neuro Innovation Research, all focused on delivering rigorous, evidence-based outcomes that enhance patients’ lives. His work emphasizes decreasing pain, accelerating recovery, and minimizing the impact of surgical trauma on overall wellness.
“There is no greater privilege than to witness a patient’s healing through the application of my skills.”
Dr. Vokshoor earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his neurosurgery residency at The Ohio State University and pursued advanced fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the University of South Florida.
In 2002, he was appointed Chief of Neurosurgery at Kaiser Medical Center before joining the innovative DISC Sports & Spine Center.
Dr. Vokshoor is a diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, and the California Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Delivering high quality neurosurgical care requires mastery of surgical precision as well as the art of healing. Neurosurgical discussions on pain, quality of life and expectations from surgery often cross the borders between medical disciplines, flowing from biology and pure neuroscience to holistic philosophies, and plunging into the ambiguous universe of human psychology. Brain performance and energy optimization is at the core of our philosophy, for any insult affecting the wellness of the body, especially due to spinal disorders and the life changing disarray of needing surgery.
Neurosurgery on the brain and spine itself can be a dense and complex area of discussion, but we strive relentlessly to answer disparate questions ranging from “how do we heal?” to “how can mindfulness affect post surgical healing?” and from “how do nerve cell membranes communicate?” to “what is pain and what type of pain is a patient experiencing?”
It takes an intense research effort to attempt to bridge the gap between the physics of the body and the effects of mindful control over healing. This is exactly what we are attempting at the Institute of Neuro Innovation, a non profit research and philanthropy organization. The gap is nowhere near fully bridged, but strides are being made to answer some of the more esoteric questions about wellness and the positive effects of mindful control and energy expenditure management.
One topic of extreme interest is how the body pays attention to various areas of discomfort. What type of pain is being experienced, and why does it exist? How does 3lbs of jelly-like protein and fat create surreal landscapes and descriptive and rich experiences around this to cause “suffering?”
Our method starts with forming a team with the patient as the chief decision-maker or operator. The ability to create novel solutions to painful and disabling problems has allowed us to thrive on almost every aspect of neurosurgical care. From simple disc problems to complex brain tumors, our neurosurgical team rigorously strives to construct creative ways of getting well, staying well, and solving life-threatening problems every step of the way with our patient at the center.
At Neurosurgery & Spine Group (NSG), motion matters. We specialize in motion-preserving spine surgery, helping patients overcome spinal disorders without sacrificing the natural mobility of the spine. Led by Dr. Amir Vokshoor and Dr. Jared Ament, our team combines advanced surgical techniques with thoughtful, personalized care to restore quality of life—without unnecessary fusion. Whether you’re dealing with disc degeneration, spinal stenosis, trauma, or neurological conditions, our approach is precise, minimally invasive, and rooted in one goal: to preserve what makes you functional, flexible, and free to move.
From artificial disc replacement to cutting-edge facet joint implants like the TOPS system, NSG pioneers techniques that avoid traditional fusion whenever possible. Our surgeons have led national trials and were the first to perform 360° motion-preserving lumbar surgery in the U.S.
Our procedures are designed to reduce tissue damage, shorten recovery time, and get patients back to living—not just healing. When fusion is necessary, we use the least disruptive approach with long-term outcomes in mind.
We pair advanced technology with deeply individualized care. Our patients receive clear guidance, responsive communication, and treatment plans designed around their lifestyle goals—not just their MRI.
Beyond the OR, our surgeons teach, publish, and lead FDA trials in spinal innovation. Through NSG and our education arm INI Studios, we bring the latest thinking in neuroscience and spine health to patients and providers around the world.
At NSG, we are proud to be the first practice in the world to combine lumbar artificial disc replacement with posterior facet replacement devices, offering an innovative 360° solution for spinal motion preservation. This groundbreaking approach is designed to maintain natural movement and stability in the lumbar spine, setting a new standard in spine care.
Currently, this combined procedure is being performed off-label, and we are initiating clinical trials to further evaluate its safety, effectiveness, and long-term benefits. By integrating these advanced technologies, we aim to provide a comprehensive alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery.
The Institute of Neuro Innovation (INI) is excited to announce the launch of INI Studios, a dynamic platform dedicated to showcasing our latest advancements in brain and spine health. Through engaging content, INI Studios will provide an inside look at our innovative research initiatives and the collaborative efforts of our diverse board of professionals, all committed to alleviating suffering and enhancing lives.
With over 20 years of experience, NSG is at the forefront of treating the most complex spinal conditions through innovation and precision.
We deploy the most advanced minimally invasive systems focused on motion preservation, optimizing both safety and long-term outcomes.
Our approach is backed by robust clinical data, providing deep insight into patient outcomes and procedural effectiveness.
We continuously evaluate treatment results to refine our methods and demonstrate the measurable advantages of our care.
