Back Doctor

Back Doctor

Dr. Robert Watkins orthopedic spine surgeon to professional athletes and creator of the Back Doctor App discusses how to avoid surgery, back and neck pain, health issues and risks/benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery.

Episodes

Dr. Bob Watkins, Sr - Part Two

June 7, 2025 • 68 mins
Dr Robert G Watkins, III, MD is the pioneer of spine surgery in professional athletes.  This podcast covers the second decade of his life, growing up in the rough streets of Memphis, TN in the fifties.  He got into a lot of trouble, learned many valuable lessons, and made friends for a lifetime. 
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Dr. Bob Watkins, Sr - Part One

December 16, 2021 • 60 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD interviews his dad, Robert Watkins, MD, III - about his life, the first decade, lessons learned, the foundations of his personality that have led him to become the most famous spine surgeon of all time.
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Lessons Learned from 2020

March 21, 2021 • 16 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, discusses lessons learned from 2020: COVID, homeless, racial justice, evolution, relationships.
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Reggie Scott, LA Rams Head Athletic Trainer, Interview

February 13, 2021 • 50 mins
Reggie Scott, LA Rams Head Athletic Trainer, and Robert Watkins, IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon, discuss Neck Injuries in Athletes. Acute trauma, on-the-field assessment, decision-making, return to play, rehabilitation, prevention, and surgery.
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Tommy Lasorda Tribute

January 24, 2021 • 6 mins
Robert Watkins, III and IV, MD, remember Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda: funny stories and the meaning that Tommy had in their lives.
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Memories of Dr. Larry Dorr

January 10, 2021 • 9 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD remembers his professor, mentor, and friend, Lawrence D. Dorr, MD - who was an innovator, author, workhorse, teacher, and humanitarian.
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Lumbar Disc Herniations in Athletes

October 18, 2020 • 22 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, spine surgeon to professional athletes and creator of the Back Doctor App, discusses lumbar disc herniations in athletes and non-athletes: diagnosis, treatment, avoidance, surgery, recovery, return to sports, and prevention of recurrence.
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Spine Surgery in Athletes

September 5, 2020 • 14 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon to professional athletes and creator of the Back Doctor App, discusses Spine Surgery in Athletes: diagnosis, treatment, nonoperative, rehabilitation, surgery, fusion, artificial disc replacement, microsurgery, return to play...
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COVID-19 Interview with Patricia Murray, MD

August 6, 2020 • 51 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD interviews Patricia Murray, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, on COVID-19: testing, virulence, treatment, Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, going back to school, masks, vaccine, and the future!
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Racism in America - Felippe Lemoine, MD - Part 2

June 29, 2020 • 33 mins
Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, discusses systemic racism in America with Philippe Lemoine, MD: history, genetics, slavery, Jim Crow, red lining, GI Bill, crime, police, criminal justice, and more...
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Racism in America - Felippe Lemoine, MD - Part 1

June 26, 2020 • 39 mins
Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, discusses racism in America with Philippe Lemoine, MD: history, genetics, slavery, Jim Crow, red lining, GI Bill, crime, police, criminal justice, and more...
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Interview with Sue Falsone, part 2

May 1, 2020 • 21 mins
Sue Falsone PT, MS, AT, Co-Owner Structure and Function Education and Robert Watkins, IV, MD, Ortho Spine Surgeon discuss treatment of back pain in athletes, cupping, and evaluation of new techniques.
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Interview with Sue Falsone, part 1

April 24, 2020 • 30 mins
Sue Falsone PT, MS, AT, Co-Owner Structure and Function Education and Robert Watkins, IV, MD, Ortho Spine Surgeon discuss treatment of back pain in athletes and dry needling versus acupuncture.
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Hypnosis - with Michelle Watkins

April 11, 2020 • 21 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD interviews his wife, Michelle Watkins, Certified Hypnotherapist, on Hypnosis: benefits, process, therapeutics, misconceptions, fears, and success stories.
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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

January 17, 2020 • 13 mins
Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon to professional athletes and creator of the Back Doctor App, discusses Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: what is it, when does it work, what are the risks, should you do it?
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Tony Robbins Experience

December 20, 2019 • 12 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD shares his experience of Tony Robbins' philosophy, methods, books, and recent course. He discusses the basic human needs: how to identify them and how to change them. Ultimately, how we all can get the most out of life.
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Neck Surgery in Athletes - Dr Watkins Sr & Jr

November 28, 2019 • 17 mins
Robert Watkins, III & IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeons to professional athletes, discuss multi-level cervical spine surgery in athletes: risks, return to play, rehab, fusion, artificial disc replacement, foraminotomy, and laminoplasty.
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Debate: Lumbar Fusion vs Artificial Disc, with Dr Blumenthal

November 16, 2019 • 20 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, debates with Scott Blumenthal, MD, Director of Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Back Institute, about artificial disc replacement vs fusion in the lumbar spine: indications, failures, athletes, success and more!
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Brandon McDaniel LA Dodgers Strength Coach

November 8, 2019 • 22 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, interviews Brandon McDaniel, LA Dodgers Strength and Conditioning Coach and Director of Player Performance: preparation for baseball, cardiovascular exercise, monitoring via app, weight lifting, diet, relaxation, and more!
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Failed Back Surgery

October 29, 2019 • 9 mins
Robert Watkins, IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon to professional athletes and creator of the Back Doctor App, discusses Failed Back Surgery: reasons, diagnosis, workup, treatment, and solutions.
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