Health professionals for Lumbago in Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Despoina Rizopoulou is an Internist specializing in acupuncture and maintains private practices in Nea Raidestos, Thermis area, and Kalamaria. She graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Thessaly in July 1997. After completing her rural service, she specialized in Internal Medicine at the Pathology Clinic of Kastoria Hospital and the 2nd Propaedeutic Pathology Clinic of Hippokration Hospital in Thessaloniki, obtaining her specialty certification in January 2006. She worked at the Blue Cross and the General Clinic of Thessaloniki from 2005 to 2022.

I am Mr Nektarios K. Mazarakis, a neurosurgeon and complex spinal surgeon fully trained in the UK and Ireland. I am an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and provide medical services in Athens and Thessaloniki.

My practice is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care in neurosurgery and spinal surgery, with particular focus on complex spinal disorders, neuro-oncology, and minimally invasive approaches.

My name is Dimitrios Tzouras and I am a physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation as well as human body performance – ranging from elite athletes to everyday individuals seeking better movement and a life without pain.

I hold a University degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Thessaly, a Master's Diploma in Kinesiology from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (T.E.F.A.A) of Serres, part of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a specialization in analysis and programming of human movement.

I also studied at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Democritus University of Thrace.

I hold a Manual Therapy Diploma from H-OMTeDu (IFOMPT) and certification in McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and therapy from the Hellenic Institute.

In parallel, I have attended seminars in Greece and abroad in: Mulligan, Clinical Pilates, Re-Thinking Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation, Management of the complex Shoulder, Spine Rehabilitation, Ergon IASTM, PNF Advance, Strength & Conditioning, Specified instructor in Function Cross Training, and have participated in numerous scientific workshops and conferences.

Due to my scientific expertise, I am a frequent invited speaker at T.E.F.A.A Thessaloniki, where I teach courses on Manual Therapy Techniques and Core Stability.

I have worked at Formula Medicine Italy in preparing and rehabilitating high-level athletes (volleyball, skiing, football, basketball, swimming) and with racing drivers from Formula 4 to Formula 2.

Dr. Xarisis Mixail is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in adult and pediatric care and is the head of the Arthroiasis Surgical Center in Thessaloniki. He maintains a ground-floor clinic in Thessaloniki, easily accessible for individuals with mobility issues. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a Master's Degree from the Anatomy Laboratory of AUTH, with a scientific thesis titled: "Anatomical study of the origin, course, and distribution of the suprascapular and subscapular nerves." His clinical activity focuses on adult reconstructive surgery (minimally invasive (MIS) total knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasties), sports injuries, arthroscopic techniques, and modern biological therapies, having performed numerous surgical procedures in these areas. He obtained his Orthopedic specialty at the General Hospital of Kilkis and subsequently trained at the Upper Limb and Hand Surgery Department of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, under the supervision of the internationally renowned Professor Anders Björkman. During this advanced training, he acquired a high level of expertise in microsurgical techniques and in the management of complex conditions and injuries of the upper limb and hand. Additionally, he actively participates in the scientific community as a speaker at conferences and seminars, while continuously attending specialized workshops and educational programs to ensure ongoing development and enhancement of his knowledge. He is affiliated with the Medical Interbalkan and Euromedica Cyan Cross facilities in Thessaloniki.

Ο Ορθοπαιδικός Χειρουργός Στέλιος Παπαλεξανδρής είναι πτυχιούχος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Απέκτησε τίτλο ειδικότητας ορθοπαιδικού-χειρουργού (2008), μετά από εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα και το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, όπου και εξειδικεύθηκε στους τομείς της αρθροσκοπικής χειρουργικής (2008-2009), της επανορθωτικής χειρουργικής του ισχίου και του γόνατος (2016-2018 & 2020-2021) και του ορθοπαιδικού τραύματος (2018-2020). Έχει εργασθεί ως ειδικός ορθοπαιδικός στην Ελλάδα και το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο. Διετέλεσε μέλος της ιατρικής ομάδας του ιατρικού κέντρου του ΣΕΓΑΣ στη Θεσσαλονίκη και ιατρός αγώνων ποδοσφαίρου όλων των εθνικών κατηγοριών και του Κυπέλλου Ελλάδος. Το 2024 εντάχθηκε στο Ειδικό Σώμα Ιατρών του Κέντρου Πιστοποίησης Αναπηρίας (ΚΕ.Π.Α.) του e-ΕΦΚΑ. Απέκτησε την ιδιότητα του μέλους του Βασιλικού Κολλεγίου Χειρουργών του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons), της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Ορθοπαιδικής και Τραυματολογίας (Fellow of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) και του Κολλεγίου Ελλήνων Ορθοπαιδικών Χειρουργών (ΚΕΟΧ), κατόπιν επιτυχούς συμμετοχής σε ειδικές εξετάσεις. Είναι υποψήφιος διδάκτορας του Δημοκρίτειου Πανεπιστημίου Θράκης, με επιστημονικό αντικείμενο το Μάρκετινγκ και τη Διοίκηση στην Υγεία. Είναι κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακών τίτλων σπουδών στη «Διοίκηση Μονάδων Υγείας», τη «Μεθοδολογία Βιοϊατρικής Έρευνας, Βιοστατιστική και Κλινική Βιοπληροφορική», την «Εκπαίδευση Ενηλίκων» και τη «Βιοηθική». Συνέβαλε στην ανάπτυξη κατευθυντήριων οδηγιών, ως αναπληρωτής συντονιστής της Επιτροπής Ανάπτυξης Κατευθυντήριων Οδηγιών Γενικής Ιατρικής για την Οσφυαλγία, στο πλαίσιο του Επιχειρησιακού Προγράμματος «Διοικητική Μεταρρύθμιση 2007-2013», που υλοποιήθηκε από το Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης. Έχει συμμετάσχει στη συγγραφή βιβλίου ορθοπαιδικού τραύματος και έχει συγγράψει εγχειρίδιο πρώτων βοηθειών. Επιστημονικές εργασίες του έχουν δημοσιευθεί σε ελληνικά και διεθνή ιατρικά περιοδικά, και έχουν ανακοινωθεί σε πλήθος ελληνικών και διεθνών επιστημονικών συνεδρίων.

Από το ακαδημαϊκό έτος 2021-2022, διεξάγει διδακτικό και ερευνητικό έργο, ως ακαδημαϊκός υπότροφος, στο Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Μακεδονίας (Τμήμα Εργοθεραπείας, Τμήμα Μαιευτικής και Τμήμα Στατιστικής και Ασφαλιστικής Επιστήμης). Ως ειδικός ορθοπαιδικός έχει διδακτικό έργο στο πλαίσιο της πρακτικής εκπαίδευσης ειδικευομένων ορθοπαιδικής και φοιτητών ιατρικής των Πανεπιστημίων του Manchester και του Liverpool του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου. Είναι εκπαιδευτής στο ιατρικό σεμινάριο ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support – provider & instructor course) στην Ελβετία και την Ελλάδα. Έχει διατελέσει εκπαιδευτής στο ΙΕΚ του ΕΚΑΒ και το Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών «Επείγουσα Προνοσοκομειακή Ιατρική» του ΕΚΑΒ και εκπαιδευτής πρώτων βοηθειών σε σεμινάρια για επαγγελματίες υγείας και τον γενικό πληθυσμό. Είναι πιστοποιημένος εκπαιδευτής προγραμμάτων του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου Αναζωογόνησης (European Resuscitation Council - ERC).

Anagnostou Antonios is an Orthopedic Surgeon who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. In a modern facility, easily accessible for all ages, he provides comprehensive medical services including diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative follow-up of patients. Specifically, his expertise includes total knee and hip arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee, reconstructive surgery, sports injuries, shoulder disorders, autologous mesotherapy, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, pediatric orthopedics, and injections. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2009. He specialized in Greece, completing his residency at the 2nd University Clinic of the General Hospital "G. Gennimatas," where he received advanced training in both adult and pediatric orthopedics.

Vrakas Giorgos is a Physiotherapist who owns a private physiotherapy clinic in Evosmos, Thessaloniki. The clinic offers rehabilitation services for sports injuries, spinal decompression, cupping therapy, therapeutic massage, ultrasound, Laser, Tecar therapy, combined with muscle activation techniques and passive mobilization techniques, intramuscular stimulation (dry needling). His twenty years of experience, combined with the most modern equipment and physiotherapy methods, guarantee the full rehabilitation of all neuromuscular conditions and neurological disorders affecting the human body.

Polyzakis Nikolaos is a Physiotherapist who operates a private clinic in Thessaloniki. He studied Physiotherapy at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, from which he graduated in 1994. The combination of his theoretical training with his many years of experience enables him to effectively manage all types of cases within the scope of physiotherapy. Depending on the patients' therapeutic needs, in addition to the clinic setting, home visits are also available.

Ioannis Xliavoras is an Orthopedic Surgeon with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He is a former consultant and chief surgeon at the center for comprehensive total joint replacements at Klinikum Hochsauerland in Arnsberg, Germany. Since 2019, he has been responsible for the cartilage surgery and arthroscopic surgery department of the orthopedic clinic at Klinikum Hochsauerland. Since 2017, he is a certified Surgeon-Arthroscopist of the German Society for Arthroscopic Surgery and Joint Surgery (AGA). He is a certified Sports Medicine physician by the Medical Association of Westphalia, Germany. He is a collaborator of the private clinic "Kyaneus Stavros-Euromedica." He specializes in arthroscopic procedures of the knee and shoulder, as well as total knee and hip arthroplasties, with extensive experience in modern minimally invasive techniques and rapid recovery, having performed numerous surgeries.

Dr. Xristodoulou Vasileios, MD, is a Neurosurgeon with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and specializes in spinal disorders and minimally invasive surgery. To date, he serves as the Scientific Director of the Neurosurgery Clinic at Bioclinic Thessaloniki and simultaneously collaborates with all major private clinics in the city. With 15 years of experience, he guarantees the optimal management of patients with low back pain, cervical syndrome, and other spinal conditions. His primary focus is to individualize each case, selecting the appropriate treatment for every patient. Concurrently, he is actively involved in the management of brain disorders. He regularly participates in postgraduate seminars and conferences, enhancing his knowledge related to his specialty and the application of new minimally invasive techniques. Finally, Dr. Xristodoulou is a member of the Medical Association of Thessaloniki and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

Pinto Iosif is an Orthopedic Surgeon and maintains his private practice at OrthoAxis Orthopedic Center in Thessaloniki. He holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he also obtained his medical degree, and he currently serves as a Lecturer at the International Hellenic University. He specialized in Orthopedic Surgery at the 1st University Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Georgios Papanikolaou." Subsequently, he traveled to England, where he completed further training on a scholarship in Orthopedics - Traumatology and modern surgical management of injuries at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He has extensive experience as a Consultant in the National Health System, with his scientific and clinical interests focusing on sports injuries, arthroplasty, traumatology, and upper limb surgery. He has a substantial research portfolio, having authored over 50 studies and articles in Greek and international journals, and is frequently invited as a speaker at conferences both in Greece and abroad. To date, he maintains a collaboration with the 2nd University Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Gennimatas" as a Scientific collaborator.  In his practice, he provides comprehensive diagnostic and surgical treatment services for musculoskeletal system disorders.

Giantsidis N Georgios MD, MSc is a Military Physician, Orthopedic Surgeon and consultant at the 1st Orthopedic Department of the 424 General Military Training Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki, in the Voulgari area. He graduated from the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Military Medicine) in 2012 and subsequently served as a physician in Special Forces Military Units. He completed his specialty training at the 424 General Military Hospital and the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Georgios Papanikolaou." During his residency, he performed numerous orthopedic surgeries, participated in many fracture repair and orthopedic disorder surgeries, trained in urgent and routine cases of his specialty, and actively contributed to the scientific work of his clinic. Since then, he has been serving as an orthopedic consultant at the 1st Orthopedic Department of the 424 General Military Training Hospital, performing a large number of surgical procedures annually across the full spectrum of Orthopedic specialty. He actively participates in postgraduate seminars and conferences to continuously update and enhance his knowledge of the latest advances and developments in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology.

Mr. Siopis Xristos is an Orthopedic Surgeon with private practices in Thessaloniki (28 Agias Sofias, 2nd Floor) and Veria (32 El. Venizelou, 3rd Floor). He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Thessaly. Since 2021, he has been a Collaborating Surgeon at the A’ Orthopedic Clinic of the Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki and a direct collaborator of Dr. Stylianos Kapetanakis in the Spine & Deformities Department. Simultaneously, he serves as a Collaborating Physician at the Athens Medical Center in Marousi and Psychiko. He specializes in knee and hip arthroplasties with customized implants, spinal surgery, knee and shoulder arthroscopies, as well as pediatric orthopedics. In his private practices, he provides a wide range of services tailored to the individual needs of each patient, always with respect to the patient himself.

Dr Penteridis Ioannis is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Pediatric Orthopedist, maintaining a private practice in Oraiokastro. He holds a PhD in Medicine from the "Victor Babes" Medical University. He possesses extensive training and experience, having worked in numerous clinics across the country. Alongside his private practice, he serves as an Orthopedic Surgeon in the infrastructure departments of the PAOK team, at the Medical Diavalkaniko of Thessaloniki, and other private clinics with which he collaborates.

Kazas Christos is an Orthopedic Surgeon - Traumatologist for adults and children, maintaining a private practice in Thessaloniki. He graduated from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace, based in Alexandroupoli, and holds a Master’s degree in "Clinical Surgical Anatomy" from the Medical School of the same institution. He completed his specialization in Orthopedics & Traumatology at the 2nd Orthopedic Clinic of Papageorgiou Hospital and subsequently moved to the United Kingdom to work as a Senior Clinical Fellow in Paediatric Trauma & Orthopaedics at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, BWC NHS Trust, and later worked at Leeds General Infirmary. Currently, in his private practice, he manages cases of Pediatric Trauma, Pediatric Orthopedics, Adult Orthopedics, as well as Adult Traumatology.