Is It Just Back Pain… or Something More?

Featured Topics and Speakers       

Chronic Back Pain: What You Should Consider  

Charles Odonkor, MD

Dr. Charles Odonkor is a double board-certified physician in pain medicine and physiatry. An assistant professor and co-director of clinical research at Yale School of Medicine, he studies physical activity, neuromodulation outcomes, and how mobile and wearable technologies track mobility and function in people with chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions.

Mechanical vs. Inflammatory Back Pain   

Raj Sengupta, MD

Dr. Raj Sengupta is a consultant rheumatologist at The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) and the BMI Bath Clinic in Bath, U.K. He has published extensively on ankylosing spondylitis in peer-reviewed international journals. He serves as Chief Clinical Information Officer at RNHRD, is a trustee and chair of the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases, and holds multiple national and international roles in spondyloarthritis societies and guideline committees, advising on treatment and policy.

What is Spondyloarthritis? 

Mohammed Bittar, MD, MS

Dr. Mohammed Bittar is an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University and founder/director of the Axial Spondyloarthritis Specialty Clinic. A recipient of SAA’s Bruckel Early Career Investigator Award, he leads funded research on chronic pain in axial spondyloarthritis, including studies of nociplastic pain, neuroimaging, and sensory testing.

Get Your Voice Heard: How to Talk to Your Doctor        

Chuck Melendri, MBA

Mr. Chuck Melendi is the founder of Disruptive Dialogue, a healthcare consulting and education firm dedicated to demystifying the U.S. healthcare system and empowering organizations to improve access, affordability, and patient experience. He spent 25 years at Johnson & Johnson leading drug-price negotiations, shaping health-policy efforts, and guiding sales and marketing teams. He now partners with benefit consultants and speaks nationally, helping people and organizations better understand, navigate, and reform the U.S. healthcare system.

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