Our doctors
Watkins Spine is the premier spine practice for professional and recreational athletes — and every patient who walks through the door.
Since 2007
Watkins Spine, founded by Dr. Robert G. Watkins III and IV in 2007, is the premier spine practice for professional and recreational athletes.
Dr. Robert Watkins III pioneered the treatment of spinal injuries in athletes, authored the original textbook The Spine In Sports, and remains an advisor to the practice. He and his son developed the Back Doctor App, a free rehabilitation program used by elite athletes and hundreds of thousands of people with back and neck pain.
The practice
2007
Founded by Drs. Robert G. Watkins III & IV.
The textbook
The Spine In Sports
Dr. Watkins III wrote the original book on spinal injuries in athletes.
The Back Doctor App
100,000s
A free rehabilitation program used by elite athletes and hundreds of thousands of people with back and neck pain.
Get the free appDr. Watkins IV · On sport's biggest stages
Spine surgeon for
Advisor to
Consultant for
Meet the doctors
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon & Co-Director
Dr. Watkins IV has led the practice's modern growth by combining advanced spine surgery, athlete-specific rehabilitation, and close collaboration with team physicians and medical staffs. He is Director of the Marina Spine Center, past Chief of Staff of Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, and the spine surgeon for Los Angeles' biggest teams.
Bio & video
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Chang joined Watkins Spine in 2007 and has been essential to the practice's success. He and Dr. Watkins IV operate together, review complex surgical cases, and collaborate in the care of Watkins Spine athletes and patients to ensure the highest level of care. He is the past Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital and an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery and computer-guided navigation.
Bio & video
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Blumstein has been with Watkins Spine since 2022. He has extensive training in spine surgery from USC, UCLA, and Rush, along with multiple neurosurgical endoscopic fellowships. He specializes in endoscopic spine surgery and complex spine pathology.
Bio & video
Founder & Advisor to the Practice
Dr. Watkins III pioneered the treatment of spinal injuries in athletes, authored the original textbook The Spine In Sports, and remains an advisor to the practice. He and his son developed the Back Doctor App, a free rehabilitation program used by elite athletes and hundreds of thousands of people with back and neck pain.
Bio & video“All three surgeons work closely together to provide successful outcomes for all patients of the clinic.”
One team, one standard of care
Talk to the team
Get the care the pros get.
