We Are a Spine and Pain Care Center of Excellence

Why you should see a spine surgeon:

Although we are surgeons by training, 9 out of every 10 patients who come to us with neck or back pain are successfully treated without surgery. Spine surgeons are the best equipped doctors to treat spinal problems. We understand the anatomy and function of the spine. We know when to operate, but, most importantly, we know how to avoid the need for surgery.

We provide all types of care:

When you are first seen, we will obtain a complete history, perform a physical examination, review all of your films, read your records, and create a treatment plan individually tailored to help you. At each follow-up visit, your progress will be assessed, and your care plan will be updated.

The commonly recommended treatments include: education, therapy, medications, minor procedures, more major surgeries and alternative treatments.

"Minor Procedures" include a collection of minimally invasive diagnostic tests and treatments. For example, they include: trigger point injections; epidurals; selective blocks; discograms; facet blocks; pain pumps; and, IDET procedures.

"Major procedures" are most often done using minimally invasive techniques, and many are done on an outpatient basis. They include operations that require a hospital stay. On average, they are a little longer and a bit riskier than the "minor procedure." These include: carpal tunnel surgery; cervical discectomy; disc decompression; lumbar discectomy; lumbar fusion; and, disc replacement. Both bloodless surgery and minimally invasive surgery are techniques that help us operate more efficiently and safely. These can make "major surgery" seem like a "minor procedure."

Medications can cure many illnesses and often relieve complaints. We will review the most common risks when we prescribe a medication.

Most people know regular exercise will improve their appearance and general health, but few realize the positive effects that good physical conditioning can have on their low back pain. Physical therapy is used to teach patients how to exercise properly, how to strengthen their backs, how to avoid pain, and how to relieve pain.

Alternative medicine includes all of those treatments or cures that are not used routinely by traditional practitioners (medical doctors and osteopaths). Some forms of alternative care, such as chiropractic and acupuncture, are well accepted and generally felt to be safe. Other alternative treatments, such as Pranic healing, Hypnotherapy, and Reiki therapy, are controversial but are effective for many patients.

Other services:

In addition to spine care treatments, we care for peripheral nerve problems, other neurologic problems such as head injury, and evaluations for disability or insurance.

Our Hospitals:

Northern California Neurosurgery uses one local hospital and one local surgery center. Both are small, private facilities which offer outstanding, individualized patient care. We use the ValleyCare medical center in Pleasanton for major procedures (major cervical surgery, major lumbar surgery, etc.) and the Pleasanton Surgery center for minor procedures (blocks, outpatient disc surgery, carpal tunnel surgery, etc.). You can click the following links for information on the ValleyCare Medical Center and The Pleasanton Surgery Center.

Our Web Site:

Please feel free to browse. In this site you will find a great deal of information about spine care, pain management, and the practice of spinal medicine and surgery.

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