Wing K. Chang, M.D.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Spinal Injections; EMG/NCV
OVERVIEW
Wing K. Chang, M.D., joined Peachtree Orthopedics in 2004. He is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in both pain medicine and sports medicine.
PRACTICE TYPE
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Spinal Injections; EMG/NCV
BIO
ABOUT DR. CHANG
Dr. Chang’s prime focus is the restoration of function. He cares for patients with acute and chronic pain, neck and back pain, radiculopathy, pinched nerves, tendonitis and arthritis. When indicated, he employs electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCV), physical diagnostics and various imaging studies. Each patient undergoes an individualized rehabilitation program in order to achieve his or her maximal functional potential. His goal is to expedite the restoration of function to enable the patient to participate in gainful employment, take part in recreational sports and enjoy a quality life with family and friends. He employs a multi-modal approach to the patient’s symptoms. Some of his services include, but are not limited to:
- Pharmacologic medication treatment
- Manual therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Paravertebral facet joint injections
- Sacro-iliac joint injections
- Trigger point injections
- Selective nerve blocks
- Peripheral joint injections
- Electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCV)
- Acupuncture/electro-acupuncture
Dr. Chang has a unique perspective on pain management in that he does not feel that chronic narcotic medication administration is an optimal answer to pain management. As such, he will endeavor to treat with other modes of pain management, including specific interventions, acupuncture treatment, rehabilitation with therapy and also consider non-narcotic alternatives.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Dr. Chang earned his B.A./M.D. degree in an accelerated 7-year combined program with Brooklyn College and State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn in 1993. He completed an internship in general surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in 1994. After that, Dr. Chang completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation in 2000 at the prestigious Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Chang completed a clinical orthopedic fellowship at Boston University Medical Center where he received additional specialty training in orthopedic surgery. While there, he was the assistant team physician for Boston University and University of Massachusetts athletics. He also completed a musculoskeletal spine fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2001. There, he received specialty training in spine and musculoskeletal diagnostics and therapeutics, including interventional spine and extremity injections, advanced electrodiagnostic techniques, manual medicine, functional restoration and multidisciplinary spine rehabilitation. Dr. Chang has also presented numerous research projects at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation national meetings and continues to be active in research, authoring publications and lecturing.
Prior to joining Peachtree Orthopedics, Dr. Chang was in private practice in New York. He specialized in spine and pain management and interventions, EMG/NCV, and was an assistant team physician for Yonkers High School football and the Manhattanville College athletic program. Dr. Chang also practices medical acupuncture as an adjunct to many other pain management techniques he uses to care for his patients.
Fellowship: Boston University Medical Center, orthopedic surgery, Boston, MA
Fellowship: University of Michigan, 2001, Ann Arbor, MI; spine and musculoskeletal diagnostics and therapeutics, including interventional spine and extremity injections, advanced electrodiagnostic techniques, manual medicine, functional restoration and multidisciplinary spine rehabilitation
Residency: Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2000, New York City, NY
Internship: Montefiore Medical Center, 1994, Bronx, NY; general surgery
Medical School/Undergraduate: Brooklyn College and State University of New York, Health Sciences Center, 7-year accelerated B.A. and M.D. combined program, 1986-1993, Brooklyn, NY
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports, and Occupational Rehabilitation
ACCOLADES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Dr. Chang Featured in Atlanta Business Chronicle
Click here to read an article from the April 10 edition of the Atlanta Business Chronicle in which Dr. Chang was interviewed about ways to find relief for back pain.
Named Top Doctor by Castle Connolly
Chosen in 2023 as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor (7% of all US doctors). Castle Connolly identifies Top Doctors based on an extensive nomination process. The national physician-led research team reviews and rigorously screens all nominated physicians before selecting those regarded as the most outstanding healthcare providers in the country.
Messages from Grateful Patients
“Dr. Chang, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you very much for helping me manage my pain since my Red Cross work comp accident 3 years ago. Your professionalism and care is sincerely appreciated. We closed the work comp case this week for my spine injury. Thank you again.”
Dr. Chang recently treated a patient who writes “My neck is so much better…thank you for your expedient and excellent care. The MRI was good – no problem – and PT is working.”
Another patient writes “It has been over two years since you helped me with my back problems; I am grateful that all remains well and my good health continues.” Click here for the full message.
Dr. Chang and his team are always happy to hear from patients who have benefited from the care and treatment they have provided.
We recently received the following message from a POC patient who has been treated by both Dr. Chang and Cassinelli. We wish him well on his future endeavors:
“Paula, I wanted to send a quick thank you for the care that you, Dr. Chang, and Dr. Cassinelli showed me over the last 5-6 years. With your help, I have moved far beyond the barely functional situation you saw me in when I first visited. I have finally gotten to the point that I can start working out again and have been going at least once a week to a Personal Trainer. Between the work you have done on my spine and the help from the PT, I have decided to pick up a long-lost hobby I used to have as a teenager. Based on my history I am sure you will probably not like this idea for me, but I am back to climbing mountains again. I have started small and am only doing 3-4 day trips on 6,000 foot mountains around the Southeast. Attached are a few shots from my last trip to North Carolina a few weeks ago. I do have another trip scheduled to Mt. Rainier in Washington State that I hope goes well. There is no way I could do any of this without the help you have all provided me over the last few years. Don’t take this the wrong way but I really hope I don’t have to come see you guys very often anymore. I am being super careful when I am out there, I promise! Signed, A Grateful Patient”
Awards
Selected “America’s Top Physicians” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America; Guide to America’s TOP PHYSICIANS, 2003 edition
Patient Accolades
Click here to learn about Dr. Chang’s listing on “America Top 10” as a top spine and pain physician in Atlanta.