In early 1995 a group of chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons in Chicago recognized the value of establishing an interdisciplinary forum to help improve the continuity and quality of spinecare. They founded an organization originally known as the Chicago Spine Society.

The organization began with an informal series of monthly meetings focused around case discussions with sharing of clinical experiences and perspectives. As a result of these regular meetings, common goals emerged, and objectives for the Chicago Spine Society were established. The Society members recognized that neurosurgeons and chiropractic physicians have many things to offer one another in the course of cooperative patient management. The neurosurgeons of this organization recognized the role of chiropractic care. Moreover, chiropractic physicians could openly refer their patients for neurosurgical consultation without difficulty.

As word spread, people became very interested and contacted the group from various areas. It became evident that the Chicago Spine Society could no longer remain as a regional organization and later in 1995 it became a national association, the American Association of Spine Physicians. It evolved into an organization with members in nearly every state as well as members from other countries.

On November 5-6, 1995 the AASP hosted their inaugural international symposium. This landmark symposium featured as the honored guest Dr. Manohar Panjabi, preeminent authority on spinal biomechanics, professor at Yale University, and author of the text Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine. The symposium also featured the AASP faculty, comprised of chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons, who discussed the role of cooperative care, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic options relating to patients with disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The American Academy of Spine Physicians (formerly the American Association of Spine Physicians) has a multidisciplinary Academy Council that is comprised of chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons bringing together over 200 years of collective experience in the care of patients with spinal disorders. The objectives of the AASP include providing a multidisciplinary platform for continuing education for chiropractors and neurosurgeons. This unparalleled forum helps promote a cooperative approach. Continuing education emphasizes the benefits of cooperative management, the relevance of diagnostic methods, the application of interdisciplinary guidelines for patient care, and a more consistent application of terminology.

Early in 2003 the AASP designed and implemented an unprecedented interactive and interdisciplinary website capable of reaching physicians worldwide. The website contains a broad spectrum of member services and scientific publications. The site provides valuable information for the media, public and patients.