Center for Pain Management Patient Testimonials

Australian resident

Rosemary had been experiencing severe pain for several years and had sought out treatment at numerous clinics and with several doctors near her home (in Australia) without ever receiving a satisfactory diagnosis. She had begun to get weaker (experiencing limited movement of both arms and of her left leg) and worried she’d never find relief. She then found the Center for Pain Management on the web. After several phone consultations, she and her husband decided it was worth a trip to the United States for possible treatment. After receiving a thorough, face-to-face consultation and full examination, she received interventional treatments and physical therapy. When asked whether she was pleased with the treatment received, Rosemary stated, “Yes! Not only did I experience a dramatic improvement in mobility over the course of my treatments, the patient relations and general service was exceptional in every respect. It was an enjoyable and beneficial experience all around, with consistent attention to detail and communication of a most personal nature.”

She then returned home to Australia but stated that she would consider coming back for treatment at the Center again, if her pain should return.

When asked what she liked best about the Center for Pain Management, she stated, “I appreciated the personalized attention to a comprehensive and thorough multi-disciplined approach to treatment. In addition, the staff was friendly and supportive at every level, and there was a genuine effort to find the best and most cost-effective treatment plan, as I was non-insured.”

Dentist and fitness enthusiast

Geralyn is an active person, running, lifting weights and practicing yoga for more than 25 years without a significant injury until 2008. She started to experience pain in her right buttock at about four miles into her regular runs. The pain continued to progress until she had constant pain she described as “shooting down her leg and into her foot.” Dr. Fitzgerald had streated her husband’s injuries years earlier after an auto accident. She stated that she was highly impressed by her husband’s treatment and therefore reached out to Dr. Fitzgerald for a consultation and examination. After an MRI, Dr. Fitzgerald provided Geralyn with an injection that gave her almost immediate relief. Geralyn returned a few months later for a more localized pain in the same area, to which Dr. Fitzgerald again administered an injection, followed up with two weeks of physical therapy. When asked whether she was pleased with the treatment she received, Geralyn stated, “I have been nothing but pleased with Dr. Fitzgerald and the treatment I received at the Center for Pain Management. In hindsight, the only thing I wished I would have done differently is to have seen him sooner—BEFORE my pain started to affect my quality of life.” She added that the best part about treatment at the Center for Pain Management was the ability to receive diagnostic, interventional procedures and physical therapy all at the same location.

Geralyn has not needed to return to the Center for Pain Management for further treatment. She continues to perform the recommended stretching regimen taught to her by the physical therapy team.

Peggy was in two different car accidents in the mid to late 90s that left her with unmanageable pain in her legs and back. For a number of years, she saw various doctors who prescribed a variety of pain medications. Unsatisfied with this option, in 2000, she finally sought out a new pain management specialist. She selected three different pain management clinics and asked her family doctor for his recommendation. He recommended Dr. Kowlowitz at the Center for Pain Management. After he began treating Peggy, Dr. K realized she would be a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implant. However, Peggy was reluctant to have the surgery. She tried a combination of nerve blocks, cortisone shots, physical therapy, psychological counseling and pain medication. While that multidisciplinary approach worked for a short period of time, the pain would eventually return. Finally, she opted for the SCS trial (with the battery outside) in 2004 and realized an immediate and drastic improvement. She had the SCS permanently implanted shortly after that. Peggy says, “My pain is now at a level 5, which is the best it’s ever been. I have been able to get back to a life where I can do almost anything. I’ve been able to cut my pain medication down over the years, as well.” Peggy still has monthly appointments at the Center to manage her progress. When asked if she would ever refer family member or friend to the Center, she states, “I’ve referred a lot of people! Any time I hear about people with back problems, I tell them about Dr. K.”

Registered nurse

Carol had a hernia that was repaired with surgery in the ‘90s, but she continued to have pain. The surgeon told her there was no problem, so she sought out a second opinion. However, that doctor prescribed pain medications, which she did not want to be on. She was finally referred to Dr. Fitzgerald (before he joined the Center for Pain Management.) Dr. Fitzgerald provided a series of nerve blocks which would help for a few days, but then the pain returned. Dr. Fitzgerald then referred her to Dr. Kowlowitz as a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator. Carol had the SCS installed in 2002. When Dr. K first performed the SCS trial, Carol describes it as “like a miracle overnight.” Once she had the SCS implanted, she never needed to return to the Center. It wasn’t until 2008 that she started to feel aching and pain again. She went back to Dr. K for advice and found out she simply needed the stimulator’s battery changed. She says the difference she’s seen since receiving the SCS is night and day. “I’m able to garden again, walk up stairs and even be on my feet all day [as a registered nurse].”

When asked whether she would refer a family member or friend to the Center, she says yes. “In fact, I had a friend’s dad who was on pain medication for chronic spinal pain and I recommended that he consider the spinal cord stimulator. He looked into it and ended up having one implanted and can’t thank me enough.”

Figure skater

Abigail is a semi-professional figure skater who experienced what she described as a “paralyzing pain” one morning while pulling on her skating dress. A co-worker of hers suggested I contact the Center for Pain Management. Due to the acute nature of her injury, she was seen right away. Dr. K and Dr. Fitzgerald determined that she had three slipped facets in her neck. The doctors gave Abigail three different options for treatment and explained the pros and cons for each. Because Abigail had a skating competition that very next week, she ended up selecting the option that gave her the quickest return to the ice. This option consisted of injections at the pain sites. The next day she was back on the ice. When asked what she liked best about the Center, she stated, “They were very personable. I never felt like they were talking at me. Plus, with their acute care line, they were able to accommodate the time-sensitivity of this situation. In addition, I appreciated that they gave me all my options and explained the pros and cons for each — and empowered me to make a choice.” She continued, “In my history as a skater, I’ve seen other therapists and doctors for various other treatments, and I always felt like I was talked at and only given one option – like it’s either this or nothing. At the Center for Pain Management, I never felt like I was in a doctor’s office. It was a very comfortable atmosphere. And they gave me immediate attention.”