St. Mary’s Neurology & Spine Center evaluates and treats back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and pinched nerves for patients across Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.
A focused exam and careful review of your symptoms and MRI or X-ray results to help find the source of your pain.
EMG and nerve conduction studies, when appropriate, to help tell if a pinched nerve is behind numbness or weakness.
Personalized, non-surgical plans, which may include medication or image-guided spine injections when appropriate. Results vary.
See a spine specialist at our Waldorf or Mechanicsville office. Learn more about neck, back & nerve pain, or explore our neurology care.
Proudly serving Waldorf, La Plata, Indian Head, Bryans Road, Mechanicsville, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Prince Frederick and neighboring communities across Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.
Sudden weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control? Seek emergency care.
Spine care.Closer to home.
Your Spine Care Team
When you visit St. Mary’s Neurology & Spine Center in Waldorf or Mechanicsville for back or neck pain, you’re cared for by a team with 30 years of combined experience diagnosing and treating patients, and a focus on finding the source of your pain, not just the symptom.
Neurologist
20 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients, with expertise across many specialties, from neurology to spine care. That range helps him look at the whole picture when back, neck, or nerve pain may have more than one cause.
Nurse Practitioner
10 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients, working side by side with Dr. Kafaji and bringing a listening-first approach to evaluation, follow-up, and everyday symptom management.
What Sets Us Apart
A physician with 20 years and a nurse practitioner with 10 years of diagnosing and treating patients, working together on your care.
Expertise across neurology, spine care, and more, so one visit can look at the whole picture instead of one symptom.
MRI review and EMG studies when appropriate, then a personalized, non-surgical plan shaped by your goals. Results vary.
Specialized spine care without the drive to the city, in Waldorf and Mechanicsville, Maryland.
Spine specialists serving Waldorf, Mechanicsville, La Plata, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Prince Frederick and all of Southern Maryland. Also see our neurology care.
Meet Our TeamSpine Conditions We Treat
From sciatica, herniated discs and spinal stenosis to pinched nerves, spasticity and cervical dystonia, St. Mary’s Neurology & Spine Center evaluates conditions of the spine, spinal nerves and surrounding joints. Pick an area, then tap a condition to see how we help.
Low Back · Lumbar Spondylosis
How we helpWe look for the pain generator, whether disc, facet joint or sacroiliac joint, review imaging when appropriate, and build a non-surgical plan around your goals. Results vary.
Low Back · Lumbar Radiculopathy
How we helpSciatica usually starts at a compressed or irritated lumbar nerve root. We find the level and the cause, then guide treatment that may calm the nerve and get you moving again.
Low Back · Lumbar Disc Herniation
How we helpWe correlate your MRI with your exam to see whether a disc is pressing on a nerve root, then talk through options from simple measures to spine injections when appropriate.
Low Back · Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
How we helpWhen the spinal canal narrows, nerve roots can be crowded. We help confirm the cause and build a plan to ease symptoms and keep you walking comfortably.
Neck & Arms · Cervical Spondylosis
How we helpNeck pain has many causes. We assess the discs, joints, nerves and muscles together, and watch for spinal cord involvement, so treatment targets what is driving your symptoms.
Neck & Arms · Cervical Radiculopathy
How we helpEMG and nerve conduction studies can show whether numb or tingling hands start in the neck or the wrist, so your plan fits the real cause.
Neck & Arms · Spasmodic Torticollis
How we helpCervical dystonia causes involuntary muscle contractions that twist or tilt the head. After confirming the diagnosis, we discuss options, which may include botulinum toxin injections, medication and therapy when appropriate.
Neck & Arms · Cervical Spine Injury
How we helpAfter a car accident or fall, we evaluate your neck and back and guide a careful, step-by-step recovery plan.
More Conditions · Facet Arthropathy
How we helpArthritis in the small joints of the spine can cause deep, localized pain. We help identify it and discuss options, including targeted injections when appropriate.
More Conditions · SI Joint Dysfunction
How we helpSI joint pain can feel like a back or hip problem. We help sort out the true source so treatment is aimed in the right place.
More Conditions · Vertebral Slip
How we helpWhen one vertebra slips over another, nerves may be affected. We evaluate the degree of slip and guide a plan tailored to your symptoms.
More Conditions · Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome
How we helpSpasticity follows injury to the brain or spinal cord, such as MS, stroke or spinal cord injury. We assess muscle tone and function, then discuss options, which may include medication, therapy and botulinum toxin injections when appropriate.
Not sure what’s behind your pain? We’ll help you find out.
Back, neck and nerve symptoms often overlap. Tell us what you’re feeling and our spine care team in Waldorf or Mechanicsville will guide you to the right care. Nerve symptoms can also be a neurology question, and we cover both.
Spine care for patients in Waldorf, La Plata, Indian Head, Bryans Road, Mechanicsville, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Prince Frederick and communities across Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties, Maryland. If back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or sudden leg weakness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Recognizing Spine Symptoms
Pain, numbness or weakness in the back, neck, arms or legs can have many causes, and often starts at a nerve in the spine. Tell us what you’ve been noticing and we’ll show what it may point to, and what a visit with our spine care team in Waldorf and Mechanicsville looks like.
Start by tapping a symptom. We’ll show the spine conditions that may be connected and what to discuss with a spine specialist.
A starting point, not a diagnosis. Many back and neck symptoms overlap and have more than one cause. Only a clinical evaluation can tell what’s really going on.
Browse by condition Low back painSciaticaHerniated discsSpinal stenosisNeck painPinched nerve in the neckWhiplash & injuryArm & hand numbnessDegenerative disc diseaseFacet joint painSpondylolisthesisSI joint pain
A spine evaluation brings together your symptoms, history, examination and imaging to help find the source of your pain and the right next steps.
Your story
We review where it hurts, what makes it better or worse, past injuries, medications and how pain affects your day.
Spine & nerve function
Assessment of posture, movement, strength, sensation and reflexes to see whether a nerve is involved.
When appropriate
We review MRI or X-ray findings and may recommend EMG nerve testing based on your symptoms and exam.
Next steps
A non-surgical plan shaped around your goals, which may include injections when appropriate. Results vary.
Spine care at St. Mary’s Neurology & Spine Center for patients in Waldorf, Mechanicsville, La Plata, Indian Head, Bryans Road, Leonardtown, Lexington Park and communities throughout Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties, Maryland. Learn more about our spine care or request an appointment.
Spine Patient Experience
“After years of seeing different doctors for chronic lower-back pain, St. Mary’s Neurology and Spine Center was the first office that truly listened and took my symptoms seriously.”
“They thoroughly evaluated my condition, explained everything clearly, and created a treatment plan tailored to me. I finally felt heard, cared for, and hopeful about managing my pain.”
Patient experience with spine careSt. Mary’s Neurology & Spine CenterWaldorf & Mechanicsville, Southern Maryland
Spine Care Near You
Experienced spine care for back, neck and nerve pain at two welcoming Southern Maryland offices, with Dr. Ahmed Kafaji and Jennifer Wade, NP. Patients visit us from across Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.
301-290-1510 · one number for both offices
Spine care for patients in
Spine care for patients in
We also welcome patients from nearby Brandywine, Clinton and Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County.
Compare both & get directions →
If back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or sudden leg weakness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Questions & Answers
Clear, friendly answers about seeing a spine specialist at St. Mary’s Neurology & Spine Center in Waldorf and Mechanicsville, MD: when to come in, what your visit looks like, and how to get started.
A spine specialist cares for problems of the back and neck and the nerves that travel from the spine. Common reasons people visit include low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, facet joint pain and pain after an injury. You can browse everything we see on our spine care page.
It may be time if back or neck pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or limits your sleep, work or daily life. Pain, numbness or tingling that travels into an arm or leg, weakness, or pain after a car accident or fall are also good reasons to be seen. Sciatica and other nerve-related pain often respond best when looked at early.
Loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or sudden severe leg weakness is an emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
You will be cared for by Dr. Ahmed Kafaji, a physician with 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients across many specialties, including neurology and spine care, and Jennifer Wade, NP, a nurse practitioner with 10 years of experience. You can meet the team here.
Many back and neck problems involve the nerves, which is where a neurologist's training can help. When pain comes with numbness, tingling, weakness or shooting pain, looking at how the nerves are working can help find the true source. Our spine care works alongside our neurology care, so you do not have to sort out where to start on your own.
We begin by listening: where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, your health history and your medications. Your provider then examines your back or neck and checks posture, movement, strength, reflexes and sensation. Before you leave, we talk through what we found and the next steps that make sense for you.
Bring your insurance card, a list of your medications and supplements, and any past imaging, test results or records from other doctors. A few notes about your symptoms are a big help too, such as when the pain happens, how long it lasts and what seems to trigger it.
Yes, if you have them. Bring the written reports and, if you can, the images on a disc or through a patient portal. Reviewing your imaging alongside your symptoms and exam helps show whether a disc, joint or narrowed space may be affecting a nerve. If you have not had imaging, that is okay. Your provider will tell you whether it would help.
Think in simple terms: where you feel it, whether it travels, how often it happens, how long it lasts and what makes it better or worse, such as sitting, standing, walking or bending. A short pain diary for a week or two can help, but do not worry if you do not have one. We will guide the conversation.
Not always. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend a review of X-ray or MRI findings, or nerve and muscle studies (EMG and nerve conduction) to see whether a nerve is involved. Tests are suggested only when they are likely to help answer a question, and we explain the reason for each one.
Which tests are available can vary by office. Call to ask about yours.
Many people improve without surgery. A personalized plan may include activity guidance, medication to calm pain or nerve irritation, referral for physical therapy, and, when appropriate, spine injections. Your provider will talk through which options fit your condition and goals.
Individual results vary.
They can be, when appropriate. Spine injections may be considered to help calm an irritated nerve or inflamed joint so you can move more comfortably and take part in recovery. Your provider will explain whether an injection makes sense for you, what to expect, and the alternatives.
Individual results vary.
Most people with back or neck pain are first treated without surgery. If your provider feels a surgical opinion could help, for example when symptoms are worsening or a nerve is under significant pressure, they will explain why and coordinate with the right specialist.
Call 301-290-1510 or send a request through our contact page. Tell us what has been going on and which office is closer, and our team will help you find a time.
That can depend on your insurance plan. The simplest way to find out is to call us at 301-290-1510 and we will help you work through it.
We work with many insurance plans. Because plans differ, please call before your visit and we will help confirm your coverage, so you know what to expect.
Choose whichever is closer or more convenient. Our Waldorf office is at 11340 Pembrooke Square, Suite 211, Waldorf, MD 20603, and our Mechanicsville office is at 28105 Three Notch Road, Suite 1C, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Patients visit us from across Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. Compare both.
Still have a question? Call 301-290-1510 or contact us online. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Your provider will recommend what is appropriate for you.
