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We are here to help

At Nivens, we strive to provide excellent service backed by our expert care from the moment you walk into our office. Dr. Nivens brings significant experience in treating the most difficult pain syndromes, to the Low Country and beyond. Accurately diagnosing and treating spinal conditions stands at the forefront of our mission. We focus on non-surgical treatments to diagnose and treat spine disorders — helping you get the relief you need. 

At Charles Nivens, MD Spine Medicine we are spine specialists first and foremost. This means that whether you’re suffering from acute or chronic neck or back pain with or without arm or leg pain.

As a specialist in spine medicine, you can expect personalized and high-quality care every time you come into our office. Our expertise in reading x-rays and MRIs enables him to accurately diagnose and treat spine disorders. We treat a variety of conditions including herniated and bulging discs, degenerative spine disorders, scoliosis and sports injuries. We have recently added a new and exciting conservative treatment for spinal stenosis: the MILD procedure. Our onsite procedure suite allows Dr. Nivens to perform most spinal procedures in the comfort of an office setting.

For assistance with your neck and back pain, contact us today!
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

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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

843.705.7471

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