Back pain, neck pain, numbness, weakness, or sciatica can make even the simplest activities difficult. Dr. J. Alexander Holbert provides personalized spine care designed to restore function, relieve pain, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Dr. J. Alexander Holbert is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions. His clinical interests include disc herniations, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal deformity, and traumatic spine injuries.
Dr. Holbert earned his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Geisinger Health System. He went on to complete advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at the nationally recognized Twin Cities Spine Center, one of the country’s premier institutions for spine care and innovation.
Dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based care, Dr. Holbert offers a full spectrum of treatment options—including minimally invasive techniques, motion-preserving procedures, and complex spinal reconstruction.
Doctor of Medicine
Residency
Spine Fellowship
Board Cetification
No two patients are alike. Every recommendation is based on the individual’s condition, lifestyle, and treatment goals.
Whenever possible, non-operative treatments are explored before surgery is recommended.
When surgery becomes necessary, modern minimally invasive and motion-preserving approaches are considered to help optimize recovery.
Patients remain informed and involved throughout every step of treatment—from diagnosis through recovery.
Whether you’re experiencing chronic back or neck pain or exploring advanced surgical options, Dr. Holbert provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for a wide range of spine conditions. Learn more about the conditions he treats and the procedures he offers to help you return to the activities you enjoy.
“Dr. Holbert is the best of the best. An extremely gifted surgeon and a wonderful human being. He’s knowledgeable and knows how to thoroughly explain the diagnosis, as well as the surgical procedure, with great clarity, humility and care. The care he provided me with as his patient was stellar. He even called me the night before the surgery to ask how I was doing and if I had any questions about the surgery! Completely patient focused. And two months post op I am doing amazingly well. Thank you, Dr. Holbert!”
You should consider seeing a spine surgeon if you have persistent neck or back pain lasting more than 6–12 weeks, pain that radiates into your arms or legs, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, or symptoms that have not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. A spine surgeon can evaluate whether surgery or non-surgical care is the most appropriate treatment.
No. Most cases of back pain improve without surgery. Spine surgeons typically recommend surgery only when conservative treatments have failed or when there is nerve compression, spinal instability, deformity, or other conditions that may worsen without intervention.
A spine surgeon commonly treats:
You may be a candidate for spine surgery if:
Only a comprehensive evaluation can determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to access the spine while minimizing disruption to muscles and surrounding tissues. For many patients, this approach may result in less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and smaller scars compared with traditional open surgery.
Not every spinal condition can be treated with minimally invasive techniques. Eligibility depends on your diagnosis, overall health, spinal anatomy, and treatment goals. A spine surgeon will recommend the safest and most effective surgical approach for your condition.
Success rates depend on the condition being treated and the procedure performed. Many patients experience significant pain relief, improved mobility, and better quality of life when surgery is recommended for the appropriate diagnosis.