A physician who once wrestled his way back from near-paralysis - and later skied again after going off a 20-foot cliff - is now offering five chronic pain patients a full course of treatment at absolutely no cost.
Dr. Solomon Cogan, owner and clinic director of The Nerve & Disc Institute, has launched a program called “Pain Free 4 Free,” inviting patients living with chronic back, neck or knee pain to submit their stories online for a chance to win a complete treatment program - from start to finish - with no out-of-pocket expense.
“We want to hear your pain story, and we’re going to choose 5 people to have an entire treatment program from start to finish,” using the clinic’s signature IntraDiscNutrosis therapy, Cogan said. The procedure is used to treat herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, stenosis and knee conditions - all without surgery.
Cogan’s motivation is deeply personal. As a high school wrestler, he was thrown and felt what he described as lightning bolts shoot down both legs, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. Eleven doctors told him he was done for the season. A twelfth told him, “I’ll have you ready in 2 weeks.” Two weeks later, Cogan was the 112-pound freestyle state champion.
That experience shaped everything that followed. By 35, years of competitive wrestling, collegiate judo and skiing had left his back so deteriorated that three surgeons recommended spinal fusion. He refused - and healed himself instead using a multidisciplinary, high-tech approach modeled on professional athlete care. The lesson stuck.
“I decided I was going to treat my regular patients like professional athletes, because it’s the right thing to do.”
Two years ago, he went off a 20-foot cliff and blew out another disc. With his clinic’s own treatment, he was skiing again by Thanksgiving.
The “Pain Free 4 Free” initiative, Cogan said, grew out of gratitude.
“I wanted to give back. So, we came up with a program called Pain Free 4 Free.”
For Cogan, the work is more than a career. “It is absolutely a calling,” he said. “I do what I do because I love it.”
To watch the segment, click on the video above.
To enter, visit nervediscinstitute.com/pain-free-4-free/ or call 586-416-3472. The contest runs through April 30th.