We are here to help
At Nivens Spine Medicine, we’re dedicated to providing 100 percent client-focused care from the moment you walk through our doors. We have decades of expertise in treating complex pain conditions, and serve patients throughout the Lowcountry and beyond. Our mission is to accurately diagnose and treat spinal conditions with a focus on non-surgical solutions, helping you find lasting relief.
Spinal health is our priority. With a patient-first approach, we focus on accurate diagnosis and non-surgical treatments for neck and back pain, whether it’s a result of injury, chronic conditions, or unknown causes. We’re dedicated to helping each patient find the right path to recovery—without unnecessary procedures.
As professional medical specialists in spine medicine, we provide personalized, high-quality care for a range of spine conditions, including herniated and bulging discs, degenerative spine disorders, scoliosis, and sports-related injuries. Our team utilizes advanced imaging to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans. We offer the Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) procedure, a low-risk, outpatient treatment for spinal stenosis that relieves pressure on the spinal cord by removing excess ligament tissue and restoring space in the spinal canal. This procedure does not require general anesthesia, implants, or stitches, allowing for a quicker recovery. Most spinal treatments are performed in our on-site procedure suite, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for our patients.
Spine Specialists
MEET YOUR SPINE SPECIALISTS
Charles J. Nivens, MD
Dr. Nivens, a fellowship-trained spine specialist, completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. He then began residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical University of South Carolina. During this time, he was appointed Chief Resident of the department. After residency, he began a six-month fellowship in Conservative Spine Medicine at Carolina Spine Institute. Dr. Nivens opened his private practice here in Bluffton, SC in 2000.
Dr. Nivens’ philosophy throughout his career in treating pain patients has always focused on a holistic approach. He incorporates fitness, healthy nutrition as well as other natural remedies in his practice. As Dr. Nivens has experienced the aging process with his patients, his interest in other modalities has increased. Many of his patients are seeking ways to look and feel younger. In 2017, Dr. Nivens and his wife, Ingrid Nivens chose to open Bluffton Aesthetics where Dr. Nivens is the medical director. In both practices, the focus is always on the individual.
Dr. Barbara Sarb, DO adds to the strength of the Nivens team as a board-certified pain management specialist with more than 30 years developing advanced expertise in specialty care. After receiving her medical degree from A. T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine she returned to Michigan to serve as Chief Resident Neurology, refining her training by serving rotations in electrophysiology, epilepsy, and sleep medicine, with special interest in pain management.
Dr. Sarb shares the team’s passion for educating and equipping patients through treatments that would traditionally only be offered at large universities and spinal institutions and making them accessible locally to residents, committed to our team’s aspirations to provide cutting edge therapies in the field of interventional pain management.
Barbara L. Sarb, DO
What our clients are saying
This is an amazing office I had gotten the runaround from my primary for weeks about the pain. I was in the office which was extremely busy but they somehow slipped me in and taken care of my problem. I highly recommend him.
- Crystabel
Charles J Nivens, M.D. has helped me get my life back. I've suffered from debilitating back pain for years and thought the only solution was pain medication or surgery. I tried injections in the past with little success, but I'm so thankful I came to Dr. Nivens, I finally feel like myself again!
- Jordan