For patients living with chronic or complex pain, having access to specialized care close to home can make a meaningful difference. For seven years in a row, Southern Utah patients have voted Southwest Spine and Pain Center as the Gold Winner for Pain Management in the Best of Southern Utah Awards. That continued recognition refl ects the trust patients have placed in the practice year after year.
Expanding Access in Cedar City
As Southern Utah grows, Southwest Spine and Pain Center is growing with it. Dr. Jon Obray, Dr. Rick Obray, and Dr. Derek Frieden will continue caring for patients in St. George while also expanding their availability in Cedar City alongside Dr. Casey Muir and Dayne Johnson, PA-C.
For patients throughout Southern Utah, that means access to fellowship-trained interventional pain specialists, fewer barriers to treatment, and advanced pain care without having to travel to a larger city.
“We’ve had the privilege of growing alongside these communities,” said Dr. Jon Obray. “This recognition means a great deal because it comes directly from the people we serve.”
Advanced Training, Local Care
Southwest Spine and Pain Center brings an exceptional level of training to the region. Dr. Jon Obray and Dr. Rick Obray both received training from Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic, while Dr. Derek Frieden completed fellowship training in interventional pain management at Harvard Medical Center.
In Cedar City, Dr. Casey Muir also brings Mayo Clinic training to the team, with residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and fellowship training in pain medicine.
Together, the team offers care for painful spinal conditions, nerve pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, compression fractures, post-surgical pain, and other acute and chronic pain disorders.
Personalized Treatment for Real-Life Pain
Pain is rarely simple, and two patients with similar symptoms may need very different treatment plans. Southwest Spine and Pain Center focuses on identifying the source of pain and creating a treatment plan based on each patient’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. “Pain is very individualized,” said Dr. Bryt Christensen during a recent educational seminar. “Nobody feels pain the same way because our brains interpret pain differently. Our job is to understand each patient’s story and create a treatment plan that fits their needs.” Treatment options may include minimally invasive procedures such as epidural injections, spinal cord stimulation, kyphoplasty, the Intracept Procedure, and other advanced therapies designed to reduce pain and improve function.
As part of the Vista Healthcare network, Southwest Spine and Pain Center patients also have access to neurology, rheumatology, physical therapy, and chiropractic care, making it easier to coordinate the care they need without a long wait.
Seven years of Gold is a meaningful honor, but for the team, the goal remains the same: helping patients get back to living their lives with less pain and more confidence. To learn more or request an evaluation, visit SWSP.com or call (435) 215-0257.