Important Neurosurgical and
Medical Links

This "links" section is divided into the following nine categories for convenience. The links that are presented here have been carefully selected and are given as a service to our patients.  They are listed to make it easier for you to find medical information.  Our doctors belong to some of these national organizations, and our practice patronizes some of the listed stores and manufactures.  We do not, however, endorse any of these internet sites.  The opinions and recommendations in these select sites are usually well considered but do not always reflect the views of the Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group, Inc.

National Medical Specialty Organizations  – These are the groups to which doctors belong.  They are responsible for setting standards, arranging training, and continuing medical education, performing lobbying and providing a forum for discussion among physicians.  While primarily for doctors, these sites are informative for patients and also provide lists of member physicians in "good standing."  They may be used to locate second opinion doctors.

Regulatory and Government Organizations – These agencies are set up by state and federal governments.  They certify doctors, provide national standards, offer a way for patients to complain about bad doctors and give some insight into the legal side of medicine.  For example, one lists guidelines for care which are increasingly used by the government and private insurance companies to deny care.  Care not covered by the guidelines will often be denied.

Alternative Medicine Organizations – Non-medical sites which offer non-traditional care alternatives are included in this group.  Some of these are accepted as efficacious, but others not well accepted.  A few are considered less than reasonable. Patients should choose wisely among these controversial therapies.  These links are for information purposes and are designed to aid the decision process.

Pain Management Organizations – These regional and national organizations provide information and support groups.  Not all of their advice is good for every patient and not all of their recommendations should be accepted without careful consideration.  Before doing anything unusual, ask your primary care doctor for his or her advice.

Local Hospitals – Hospitals used by Northern California Neurosurgery in the TriValley area, and other regional centers of excellence are listed here.  I have not listed all local hospitals on this page.  A list of all local hospitals is available on this site at an alternate page.  For a list of all hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area click here.

Journals and Information Sources --

Journals and Information Sources  – These journals are the sources from which physicians get their information.  Some provide information on the internet, including summaries of major articles. Others will only provide advise  on how to purchase their services.  This list of journals is not complete or comprehensive.  A medical librarian or medical information researcher can also be helpful.  One local company, Mr. Health Search, provides customized research on any medical condition or health topic for both patients and health care professionals. The price is reasonable. Contact Cliff Kalibjian at 925-456-2927 or www.MRHEALTHSEARCH.com Cliff is also the author of the book "Straight From The Gut: Living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis".

Manufacturer Web Sites – The manufacturer sites give sales and promotional information about the products they sell.  The sales material is often presented in the form of scientific studies.  Studies completed by a manufacturer and posted on a sales site may not be impartial.  The information on these sales sites should be viewed critically.  It is all advertising material and may not accurately reflect the current views of the medical community, the governmental review agencies, or of the well advised patient advocacy groups.

Critique Sites and Advocacy Sites – These are patient advocacy sites.  Some are critical of the treatments and devices used by medical providers.  Some provide help for patients, including guidance to available resources.  Some discuss alternative care providers in addition to traditional providers.

 

Sources for Materials for Purchase – These are stores which sell medical books and other informational materials such as medical models and charts.  The sites provided are from large national chains with reasonable prices and who have made their web sites easy to use.

 

 

National Medical Specialty Organizations

 These are the groups to which doctors belong.  They are responsible for setting standards, arranging training and continuing medical education, performing lobbying and providing a forum for discussion among physicians.  While primarily for doctors, these sites are informative for patients and also provide lists of member physicians in "good standing."  They may be used to locate second opinion

The American Academy of Pain Management, www.AAPainManage.org, is a membership organization based in California. It offers help to doctors and to patients.

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons, at www.AANS.org,  is one of two national organizations which speaks for neurosurgeons and for their staffs.  Their site provides information on member surgeons.  It is intended primarily for member physicians.

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons, found at www.NEUROSURGEON.org, is the second of the two national organization which speaks for neurosurgeons and for their staffs.  Their site provides information on member surgeons and commentary on a number of common diseases.  This site is intended both for member physicians and their patients.

The American Board of Neurological Surgeons, at, www.ABNS.org, is the national agency which accredits neurosurgeons, provides examinations to applicant physicians and assures the quality of the care provided by neurosurgeons in the United States.  A list of all board certified neurosurgeons is included.

The North American Spine Society, at www.NASS.org, is a group of orthopedists and neurological surgeons is devoted to the care of the spine.  They provide an informative site and a comprehensive list of members.

The American College of Surgeons, at www.FACS.org, is a national association of board certified surgeons of all subspecialties.  Member lists and information for patients is provided.

The American Medical Association, at www.AMA-ASSN.org, is the national association of American physicians, the AMA provides comprehensive information regarding recent law, billing, coding, ethics and other information.

The California Medical Association, at www.CMAORG.org, is an association of California physicians was created to serve the needs of local physicians and their patients.  A list of members is provided in all specialties.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, at www.AAOS.org, is the national association of orthopedists of all subspecialties.  This site contains information about spinal and non-spinal conditions.  It discusses other problems such as fractures and tendonitis.

The American Paraplegia Society, at www.APSStCI.org, is a network of providers and patients dedicated to the advancement of spinal cord research and healing.  Annual meetings include both providers and patients.

The American Academy of Osteopathy, at www.ACADEMYOFOSTEOPATHY.org, is dedicated to the advancement of the science of osteopathy and manipulation.

The American Board of Anesthesiology, at www.ABANES.org, is dedicated to the advancement of the science of anesthesiology and pain control.  It maintains member lists and subspecialties.  It includes pain management as a subspecialty.

The American College of Rheumatology, at www.RHEUMATOLOGY.org, is dedicated to the study of autoimmune and rheumatologic problems including fibromyalgia.
The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, at www.ASIPP.org, provides a list of members and information for patients.  The organization promotes the science of pain management but especially the ethical practice of the profession.
The American Academy of Physician Assistants, at www.AAPA.org, provides information about the profession, its members and the requirements for certification.  It provides reassessment on a periodic basis for all members.

The Cervical Spine Research Society, at www.CSRS.org, is dedicated to the advancement of the science of cervical spinal injury and repair.  The site includes a member list and a series of articles and research studies.

The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, at  www.ISSLS.org, is dedicated to the study of the low back.  Membership lists and calendars of events are presented.

The Cochrane Database is a collection of articles and data regarding spine care and the efficacy of spine treatment.  At www.cochrane.iwh.on.ca one can search the data base for information, locate pertinent data and find articles supporting or refuting various surgical recommendations.

Partners against Pain, www.PartnersAgainstPain.com/, is a group which offers help for pain patients including free materials, tips, articles, information for patients and caregivers, and links to local support groups.

Regulatory and Government Organizations

 These agencies are set up by state and federal governments.  They certify doctors, provide national standards, offer a way for patients to complain about bad doctors and give some insight into the legal side of medicine.  For example, one lists guidelines for care which are increasingly recommended by the government and insurance companies.

The Department of Health and Human Services maintains a government site with information about a multitude of topics regarding the spine and health in general. Go to www.OS.DHHS.gov for health information and go to www.guidelines.gov for a list of guidelines regarding treatment.

The Division of Industrial Relations maintains a site with information about all aspects of the Workers' Compensation Law in the state of California. Go to www.dir.ca.gov for more information.

Alternative Medicine Organizations

 Non-medical sites which offer non-traditional care alternatives. Some of these are good and some are not well accepted. Patients should choose wisely among these controversial therapies. These links are for information purposes and are designed to aid the decision process.

Holiticonline site, at www.HOLISTICONLINE.com is a very complete site that offers a tremendous diversity and depth of information regarding alternative care.

The Lifewest chiropractic college whose site, www.LIFEWEST.edu presents a great deal of information regarding the training of chiropractors, the philosophy of the specialty and general information about chiropractors.

Pain Management Organizations

 These regional and national organizations provide information and support groups. Not all of their advice is good for every patient, and not all of their recommendations should be accepted without careful consideration. Before doing anything unusual, ask your doctor for his or her advice.

An informative site presented by the Appalachian pain management clinic at  PAINCENTRAL.com.  This site presents news and a summary of current techniques with critical reviews.

This site, presented by the Harvard medical school, includes quarterly publications and a list of critical topical reviews.  At the  National Chronic Pain Outreach Association the information is available and well organized.

The Public Citizen site presents alterts and other data of general interest regarding eht efficacy of treatments commonly available, see www.CITIZEN.org.

Local Hospitals

 Hospitals used by Northern California Neurosurgery in the TriValley area, and other regional centers of excellence are listed here.

This site provides information about Pleasanton's small community hospital, ValleyCare.  See  www.VAllEYCARE.com for complete information on our local hospital.

This site provides information about Pleasanton's independent surgery center.  See  www.TRIVALLEY.com for complete information.

Journals and Information Sources

 These journals are the sources from which physicians get their information. Some provide information on the internet and others will only advise how to purchase their services.

One local company, Mr. Health Search, provides customized research on any medical condition or health topic.  His clients include both patients and health care professionals. His rates are reasonable. Contact Cliff Kalibjian at 925-456-2927 or www.MrHealthSearch.com.  Cliff is the author of the book Straight From The Gut: Living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

The New England Journal of Medicine is the leading journal for internal medicine in the United States.  Their articles include breakthrough data and are often used by the national news agencies when creating "breaking news" stories about medicine.

Manufacturer Web Sites

The manufacturer sites give sales and promotional information about the products they sell. The information on these sites should be viewed critically. It is all advertising material and may not accurately reflect the views of the medical community, the governmental review agencies, or patient advocacy groups.
Back.com is an advertising site set up by the company Medtronic.  The articles here promote their products.  The physicians listed are those who currently use their products and services.  Using the services of a national provider is not bad, but all advertising should be viewed cautiously.
Stryker is the major supplier of spinal hardware and operating room supplies.  They are used by physicians but now advertise directly to the public.  Their devices are good but some question their advertising motives.
Johnson & Johnson is another major supplier of orthapedic, spinal, general surgery and operating room equipment.  They provide everything from sutures to complete surgical equipment packages.

Critique Sites and Advocacy Sites

 These are patient advocacy sites. Some are critical of the treatments and devices used by medical providers. Some provide help for patients, including guidance to available resources.

California Applicant Attorneys Association, www.caaa.org.  The California Applicants' Attorneys Association (CAAA) is the most powerful, and most knowledgeable legal voice for the injured workers of California. Serving California's injured workers since 1966, CAAA has been built with the support of its members who recognized the necessity of an active voice for injured workers.

This site, called www.Quackwatch.com, offers a great deal of critical information.  If someone (physician, chiropractor, company or other) is trying to sell you something which is not valuable, or is not well regarded by the medical community, this site will provide thoughtful and unbiased information.  Before doing anything unusual, you should look at this site.  Before signing up for any expensive program of treatments look here.

Sources for Materials for Purchase

 These are stores which sell books and other informational materials such as medical models and charts.
Anatomical Chart Company offers informational charts and models.  The models sold here are the ones found in medical offices.
Amazon is a national discount bookseller with thousands of medical texts used by doctors and thousands more for use by patients.




The information in this site briefly describes issues related to medical treatments, and has been licensed by from Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group, Inc., who is solely responsible for said content.  This web site is not a substitute for good medical care or for a consultation with a spine specialist. It should not be used to plan your treatment. The well considered advice of a specialist who has personally examined you is always superior to even the best internet pages.

Copyright © 2007, Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group. All rights are reserved.  No part of this web site may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored, electronically or on paper, without the written permission of the Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group, Inc.
Last modified: 07/27/08