George C. Christolias, M.D.

Overview
Dr. Christolias is a faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also a Clinical Leader in nonoperative and minimally invasive spine medicine and a Physician Leader for ColumbiaDoctors and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
He is board-certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and in Interventional Pain Medicine, and he is deeply committed to lifelong learning. His passion for medical education has led him to mentor medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. Dr. Christolias also serves as Associate Chair of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, where he leads the Westchester practice, and he has been recognized by his peers with the Outstanding Educator Award.
Clinically, Dr. Christolias provides state-of-the-art, personalized, evidence-based care to patients navigating complex spine conditions. He serves as Associate Director for Interventional Spine at the Och Spine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital’s Columbia Campus. He has also held national and international leadership roles, including service on the Patient Safety Committee of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
He has been recognized for his clinical excellence with numerous honors, including multiple Castle Connolly Top Doctor designations, multiple recognitions from Super Doctors, and Vitals.com’s Patient’s Choice and Compassionate Doctor awards. He is also a member of Columbia’s prestigious Academy of Clinical Excellence.
In his administrative role as Medical Director of ColumbiaDoctors Westchester, Dr. Christolias oversees clinical operations across Westchester County and contributes to the broader coordination of care within the ColumbiaDoctors and NewYork-Presbyterian network, including NewYork-Presbyterian The One medical center in White Plains, NY.
Whether in his clinical practice or leadership responsibilities, Dr. Christolias is guided by a patient-first philosophy—placing the well-being, dignity, and best interests of his patients at the center of every decision.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Arthritis of Spine
- Arthritis of the Back
- Arthritis of the Neck
- Back Injuries
- Back Pain
- Cervical Spinal Disorders
- Epidural and Facet Injections
- Herniated Disc
- Interventional Pain Management
- Interventional Spine Procedures
- Kyphosis
- Low Back and Neck Pain
- Low Back Pain
- Lumbar Herniated Disc
- Lumbar Pain
- Neck Pain
- Non-Surgical Approach to Back Pain
- Non-Surgical Spine Treatments
- Pinched Nerve
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Radiofrequency Treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Shin Splints
- Spinal Arthritis
- Spinal Injections
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine & Nerve Blocks
- Spine (all aspects)
- Spine Care
- Spine Deformity
- Spine Pain
- Spine Rehabilitation
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at CUMC
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center
Languages
- English
Gender
- Male
Schedule an Appointment
Virtual Visits/Telehealth
Virtual Visits allow you to connect with your provider from the comfort, convenience, and safety of your own home.
Phone Appointments
Connect Patient Portal
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Affinity Health Plan
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Amida Care
- Special Needs
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- EPO
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Fidelis Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Local 1199
- Local 1199
MagnaCare (National)
- MagnaCare
Medicare
- Railroad
- Traditional Medicare
Multiplan
- Multiplan
MVP Health Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
RiverSpring
- Special Needs
UnitedHealthcare
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Medicare Managed Care
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
WellCare
- Medicaid Managed Care
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- 2008 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- Fellowship: 2013 NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Committees, Societies, Councils
2008 – present Member, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2011 – present Member, American Academy of Pain Management
2012 – present Member, American Society of Anesthesiologists
2013 – present Member, International Spine Interventional Society
Board Certifications
- Pain Medicine
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Research
Selected Publications
- Christolias G, et al. Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. IPSIS Fact Finders
- O'Dell M, Lin CD, Singh JR, Christolias GC. The Physiatric History and Physical Examination-Chapter 1. Braddom Textbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Cifu (ed). In Press