One star is given solely because the front end staff was very helpful. I was a new patient here and both visits were with Kristen, FNP at the Chandler Office. My first visit with Kristen was not about my back issues or recommendations on procedures to help but rather her desire to immediately try to change up all of my medications that I have been on for years. She wanted to switch them all and "rotate" my medication. I have a health condition that requires me to be very careful with what I take. One of the medications she wanted to prescribe me can directly impact my existing health condition and cause serious side effects. When I pointed this out to her she did no research to verify this and still wanted me to try it. I later shared this with my neurologist and she was extremely mad and frightened that a doctor would want to change a patients medication with ZERO knowledge of potential dangerous side affects. The second visit she came in to the room and immediately brought up rotating my medications again and never once asked how my back was doing or if I was doing any better. I was there to try to get epidurals scheduled with the doctor, not to have all of my medications reviewed every week. She is not my PCP and was evaluating medications that my PCP prescribes me that have nothing to do with my back issues. When i asked if I could meet the doctor, she said he wasn't available and looked at me like I was crazy when I told her I would like to meet the doctor before he puts me under and does a procedure on me. This should be standard practice but apparently not there. Additionally, she kept telling me to come in every week to establish myself as a patient which meant they could bill me every week. My last straw at this practice was when she said my urine test came back with no results because I drank too much water. She literally accused me of drinking too much water. In the state of AZ is there such a thing as drinking too much water?? She was so rude and accusing me of tampering with my urine sample. I have taken SO many urine samples and not once have I had any issues! Not once! Today I fired AZ Pain Doctors and specifically Kristen and am happy to say I found the most amazing practice who actually wants to help my condition and not waste my time focused on "rotating" my prescriptions. I was there to schedule procedures, that's it! She will make you feel like a criminal and has no concern about prescribing medications to people with health conditions without researching potential side effects. I hope the physician/owner of the practice reads this...she literally wanted to put me on a medication that would have triggered a life threatening reaction to my health condition and when I mentioned this to her, she didn't back down or try to research this or discuss with my neurologist. I've never been treated so poorly and perhaps if I could have seen the doctor there my experience would have been better but for anyone who gets stuck seeing Kristen, be prepared to waste a lot of money, receive zero medical care AND for her to try to change up medications for no reason at all...well maybe to make money by getting you in every week. HORRIBLE experience! I was SO excited to call today to tell them I no longer want to be a patient and that I don't have to ever meet with that woman again. Horrible!! read more

I'm a medical power of attorney for my brother. I have taken him to at least 3 other pain management doctors who only wanted to prescribe more narcotics and more meds. But coming to AZ pain doctors kept his pills down and really is helping us on solutions to pain and other alternatives to pain reduction not just another pull. Dr Franke has been the most wonderful solution for us. read more

If you want to be treated like a drug seeking junkie--this is the place to go. I was leaving for the summer so I requested my records to take with me. In reading them I found MANY false statements made by Daltry Tyree. She is a cold, uncaring person whio sits across the room with her laptop making snide remarks. She was supposed to order an MRI of my hip but never did it, then said I was a "poor historian" because I hadn't followed up. You can't just walk in the imaging center and get an MRI with no orders!!! As she was walking out the door she says we're reducing your med. when I asked why she said "that's our plan". Her plan apparently, not mine. She needs to get a new career as she is obviously burned out on this one! read more

I am pleased with AZ pain docs. Their services i have used inc. Pain meds (but i detoxed over a year ago) epidurals, ablations etc. Now i see them for less invasive non narcotic pain control. They are helping me. read more

AZ Pain Doctors have taken care of me for several years. They give me the respect and pain relief without making me feel uncomfortable. Thanks so much Sam! read more

The staff is always friendly and courteous. My PA is always listen and gives very important advice on my pain management. I've been with them for 4 yrs now. Dr Pico is a cool doctor! See you soon Az Pain read more

Receptionist was very unprofessional. I called to set up a procedure that was discussed with the doctor at a previous appointment. I had a question and instead of saying she did not know and would find out, she hung up. She had my information in front of her, so if the call was accidentally disconconnected she could have called me back. Very poor. I won't deal with this office. read more

I would prefer to give zero stars but couldn't. This is the WORST doctor's office. They are usually hours behind. The don't listen to you or help in any way. They also will not help with disability paperwork. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, you'll be glad you did. JUST AWFUL!!!!!! read more

I have been a patient here for three years now and I will not go anywhere else. The staff and doctors are very professional and have really helped me with my pain. I highly recommend this establishment. read more

What a JOKE! Go somewhere else these guys are horrible. Ive waited for over 2 weeks for an appointment and when I finally get a live person, I'm told there is a $260+ facility fee. Gladly endure more pain to find an organized clinic! read more

Incompetent doctor and staff. Save yourself some time and do not choose the Mesa office. Pain is horrific and they only delay your pain and don't treat it. I'm very serious. read more

Was told I was discharged less than a week before a serious surgery because I had marijuana in my system (of which I had a medical card for) and they told me I was an illicit drug user so they refused to see me read more

Two years ago I would have highly recommended this place; Lisa had me on reduced pain management levels, able to go back to consulting work and at the gym 3 times a week. Now it feels like no continuity of care, like a cattle run lacking patient compassion. Some great NP's have left. This place changed my plan of care without warning while I was working 1800 miles away leaving me on my own with no way to manage my pain. I had to leave my job assignment early, get on a plane and go home back to Phoenix costing me my credibility with my agency, hence losing my current job. Had they given me notice my care was changing to monthly in lieu of every two months I could have planned better. It's no joke what this place did to my life. Find a place with compassion. read more

Have gone to this practice for over a year, originally saw Dr. Pico, then his PA. However then I got moved over to NP Kristen Engels who was AWFUL. She never listened to me or what I was telling her about my treatment plans and condition in appointments. She just repeatedly pushed one treatment and when I didn't want that she saw ok great we'll see you next time. I finally got the nerve to stand up for myself and fire her as my physician and demanded a new physician. I was then switched over two times before I reached PA Bigham. Who is super helpful (he is the reason I gave two stars) he actually listens and cares for his patients. However, their front desk/phone system/nurses and such are somewhat less than helpful. None of them care about patients really and when they are the only people available to talk to via phone it is super frustrating and disheartening. I have been having issues with my treatment this month and have called nearly everyday for the past two weeks to try to advocate for myself but was repeatedly stonewalled and told to just wait till my appointment. They had me come in last month for a drug screening and I received my meds so I believe it went through; however they now say they have no record and are penalizing me this month for it and are refusing to send in a bridge script (since I couldn't come in due to having two back to back 8 hour shifts in a row) because I haven't given them a recent enough sample. Beyond frustrated and miserable thanks to some of this practices work. read more

I've been in 4 times and it always seems like they are up-selling me another procedure. I actually have worse constant pain now then I did before they started working on me. The front desk staff are really abrupt. I know the customers can be very upset because they are in pain but soft skills are required for people in pain. From what I say it seems they think everyone wants to be on narcotics. I told them straight up I just want to be able to eat and have bearable pain and I don't want narcotics... which they apparently don't prescribe anyway. Be prepared for a urine test each visit. The reviews I've read hold true you only see Dr Pico at your first visit and then the PA's etc for other visits. They haven't offered me any medication that I haven't already tried. I had nerve blocks and one ablation done. I'm giving 3 stars because of ease getting in and return phone calls. They are well staffed but it's a practice, so you only see your main Dr during procedures after the 1st visit. They own a vested interest in their medical procedure site... which everyone is very nice at. It's very clean and runs on schedule. I just wish the procedures helped me. read more

I would rate it a MINUS 100, if I could! This pain center is nothing but a scam..to order tests that aren't needed, to demand money up front, when with MY insurance, NOTHING is suppose to be collected up front ~ they're SUPPOSE to bill the insurance company first, but, no, not these jokers ~ very rudely, demanded payment NOW..never saw the doctor ~ only saw the PA..if I had to PAY for the service, I EXPECT to see the doctor!! The PA didn't help, at all, and prescribed ANTI~DEPRESSANT drugs, disguising them as "nerve' drugs..no thanks ~ wanted to.do tests I didn't need, &, of course, pay up front. This is nothing but a for profit piece of shit, so called medical office, that preys on snowbirds, & people with chronic pain ~ well, you didn't fool me, assholes ~ I'll never set foot in your bullshit office again! Your staff is also rude, & VERY unprofessional!PEOPLE, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! read more

They started me on injections immediately. They are big money for these places. Next up is RFA. At the same time, they prescribed me something not covered by my insurance and won't call me back to fix it. They are constantly telling me that they are working on it and "WE'LL CALL YOU". They treat me like an annoying asshole instead of a patient with real issues, real pain, and pain they are making worse. read more

This place has gone down hill!! Went there today and they were mean to me and were trying to force me to wear the lowest level Butrans patch which I tried for 1 month and it does nothing for my back pain. I went on an interview & took a urine test inwhich Butrans didn't even show up on results! I have severe scoliosis, 3 pinched nerves, neck pain and other med conditions. They wanted to order a neck brace for me and another MRI which I have already provided them. Wouldn't give me anything for pain. So ridiculous...I suspect they are not making any money off of me. I am on ACCCHS so they don't make as much money as private ins. They are nasty, rude people. Goodbye & good riddance. read more

I have been going to AZ PAIN DOCTORS for 9 years, well actually been with Dr. PICO for that long. I followed him from his previous location before getting his new practice. I've had Courtney, who takes care of my daily management, who totally listens and has offered many alternatives to pain management with out taking pain pills. I hate taking medication period but dislike the feeling from being medicated even more. I am happy to say I have been off pain pills for a few years and while I never got addicted to their affects on me I'm happy to not have to take a piss test because I know I'm drug free. Dr. PICO has been doing RFA's on me and I've gotten 18 months of painfree at each one. I'm about to get my 3rd round of radio frequent ablations because they have been a god send to keeping me painfree. I do have to listen to my body and not do too much but I have been painfree for the most part. When I say painfree I mean tolerable, not in excruciating fall down pain and not want to walk type of pain. The back pain I have is debilitating and Dr. PICO has done a fantastic job at giving me a chance at a more pleasurable life. I saw myself going toward a wheel chair very fast cuz the pain was too much to bare and my pain thresh hold is high, and now I have life quality and can walk on my two feet. We manage with injections, RFA's, Ibuprofen and creams and I'm pill free. I've heard a lot of negativity from all pain management and you really need to think about where those comments come from. Are you one to just seek out medication to mask yours ailments or are you one to get to the bottom of your issues and find what works to get you painfree? I sing Dr. PICO and his team praises every day because I have a life now and I'm so thankful for everything they have done for me. I highly recommend AzPainDoctors. read more

Please, please, do not patronize this clinic. They do not care about your pain. You are nothing but $$$$ to them. I have been there for over a year and have not seen the same doctor twice. I have seen NP Daryl Potter a few times and if they assign him to be your provider expect rudeness, incompetence, any attempt at empathy and all the warmth of a dead fish. He will sit with you for 2 minutes tops. He will TELL you how you feel and how your meds/treatments are working. Then, he will leave in a cloud of uncertainty without allowing you to ask questions or participate in your treatment in any way. Then, he will write in your chart things you did not say and how enthusiastic you are about treatments that weren't even discussed. I can't let Mr. Potter take all the shade, Pico and Horrocks are also completely apathetic about your pain. The front desk is pleasant and helpful and the check-in nurse Roger(I think), always has something nice to say and is cheerful. Outside these few people, expect disaster. Don't say I didn't warn you. read more

CHANDLER LOCATION IS HORRIBLE . had the worst experience possible with this office. Specially with Cindy in the front office . She is so disrespectful and disgustingly rude. I have been coming to this office for a few months and the front office staff hasn't been very welcoming but I haven't had any problems except with Cindy. I requested my records 3 weeks ago and came in for my appointment and asked to follow up about my records. She said there was no request submitted and I told her that I submitted It 3 weeks ago and signed the request in the office. She started to raise her voice and roll her eyes constantly. Her body language was extremely sarcastic. She kept using her hands and putting them towards me while she talked. I told her she was rude and she started smirking and rolled her eyes again. She told me that I couldn't talk to the office manager and I had to talk to her. About 15 minutes later I went to use the restroom and a woman exiting the restroom said it's extremely filthy in there so i decided to walk up to the front to ask them if it could be sanitized/ cleaned and she was bad mouthing me to her co worker and they were making fun of the situation . I confronted them and explained that I could hear them and she laughed and walked away. She is the rudest person I've ever been in contact with at this office . Dr Pico is very kind and a great doctor . It's really unfortunate that this is someone representing his office. The first contact we have when we come into an office really sets the tone for the whole experience. She is horrible. read more

This is not a place you want to go for treatment. When calling in to get information the people on the phone are rude and do not know what they are doing. They must have had a turn around in the staff. I went in to see one of the PA's and he did not listen and scheduled the nerve block for the wrong area. I had to correct him during the consult and after correcting him "he still ordered the wrong nerve block" if I was not paying attention I would have went in for a procedure that I did not need. They used to be great! but since they have had changes in their staff they are horrible. I have switched to a new pain management. Stay away from these people! read more

I feel those at The Chandler officer don't listen to anything you say and just rush you through. They seem to repeat tests a lot even when you've told them you've just had them done. When I told them I was loosing my livelihood as a single person and as the sole breadwinner, they didn't even respond. No clue how terrifying it is to be out of work with no other job available. No job, no food or roof over my head. No concern or help at all except prescribed meds and rushed me through the appointment. I feel they just made money off of me and left me with absolutely no plan , only to move onto to the next room. read more

I visited Dr. Smith from the Goodyear office for lower back pain and pain in both of my legs. He's a very nice person that was easy to talk to about my back issue. I already had an MRI which showed severe stenosis between L3/L4 and L4/L5. The doctor recognized that my symptoms could be alleviated by a fairly new procedure called Superion, which are titanium spacers that keep the vertebrae apart. He showed me a spine model and explained the procedure completely. I researched and decided that it could be a good solution for my problem. I got an appointment for the surgical center and Dr Smith performed the procedure. My lower back pain was relieved by about 75% and my leg pain (which was the worst) was relieved by 95%. Any pain I still have after 1 month now could be from other smaller issues I have with my spine. All in all I would definitely see Dr Smith at AZ Pain for back problems. The Superion procedure worked great for me, but may or may not be right for everyone. That's why it's best to talk to a doctor like Dr Smith who will steer you in the right direction. Good Luck read more

Stay Away from Az Pain Doctors!!! They also go by Arizona Spine and Pain Specialists, located at 725 S Dobson Rd Ste 100, Chandler, AZ 85224 These people took fees from me at the time of the initial service, 3/21/16, plus the co-pay. Since then, my medical insurance says that I didn't owe that money. Yet I can't get Az Pain Doctors to pay me back. They have changed billing companies twice since the date of my service, and the billing companies do not have records of my AMEX payment because I paid at the office. The amount owed back to me is $149.20. Initially, they were going to send me to collections for $31.62 they said I owed. I provided all of my documentation and wrote a letter to the current billing company showing that I did not owe that money. The billing company backed down immediately and wrote me a letter stating that the amount was cancelled. Now I continue to try to Az Pain Doctors to pay me the money that they owe me, yet they will not call me back. Ally (or Ali) in their office is supposed be handling it. Can't get a call back from Az Pain Doctors or the billing company. Latest fake promise was on Thursday, 1/12/17 where they promised to look into my questions again and would call me back on 1/13/17. I didn't hear from them so I called again and got VM. Left message for a call back as they had promised. Will call again Monday, 1/16/17, The worst thing about it is Az Pain Doctors didn't help me. I had two epidurals which were extremely painful and did no good. Within a couple of weeks, I was bent over again. All I can do is keep trying to get my money back. read more

I was just going to leave my review, when I saw that Yelp has a letter to prove that AZ Pain Doctors was offering a $25 gift card in exchange for a patient to write a favorable review. You don't need to do that if you are a good, reputable doctor's office. I'm not surprised, although I did not receive a letter. I have gone to AZ Pain Doctors for several years and have seen Courtney Kelm, P.A. She has been great and I really like her and feel that she understands what I'm going through. She listens to me. I have been trying to deal with my chronic pain through conservative therapy, including physical therapy (exercises, massage, cervical traction, cupping, muscle stim and heat packs), anti-inflammatories, and taking herbal supplements on my own. They all help. I have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, scoliosis, osteoarthritis and Lyme disease. I have pain from all of it. Courtney understood that I did not want any of the spinal procedures and that they were contraindicated with my other health issues. So, she didn't try to push those on me. Now, Courtney is no longer there and I'm sad about that. It's difficult to find a pain management provider who understands and you get along with personality-wise and treatment-wise. I should mention that I am not on any narcotics and do not want them if at all possible. Now, I started seeing Kristen Engels, NP. She's uncaring and just a terrible person. She definitely shouldn't be working with chronic pain patients. When Courtney was still there and was training Kristen, Kristen acted like she was a decent, caring nurse practitioner. It was all an act once she was no longer training with Courtney. The last (and final time) I saw Kristen, I had been in extreme pain. The traction machine at physical therapy was broken and my pain was out of control. I had asked for an increase in my muscle relaxants since Courtney had said I was taking a lower dose compared to other patients. I did not ask for any other pain meds. Kristen didn't care. She refused to increase my muscle relaxants and only offered me a website for fibromyalgia patients (I don't have fibromyalgia.) It was just a checklist and questions to help you manage your pain through other means. Common sense stuff that I already do, since I used to be a nurse. One example was if your new pain meds give you a 20-30% decrease in pain, then increase your activity 20-30%. It was absolutely useless for me. She didn't offer me any type of real pain relief. It was absurd! She also refused to write a note for my apartment for my pet companion/emotional support animal (that my PCP had filled out last time.) I also learned that she will not fill out the form (just name, address, and signature) for a handicapped plate or placard. (Courtney used to fill those out for patients.) Then, Kristen sent Dr. Pico in to see me. I only saw him on my initial visit. I figured he was going to try to talk me into one of the spinal procedures, that I had already told Kristen that I didn't want. Instead, he said that I needed to go to therapy. I said I already go, mainly to deal with my chronic pain. He was very angry. He told me that I needed to go weekly. Who the heck is he to determine how frequently I should see my therapist? I think he was just mad that I don't want his spinal procedures that he makes tons of money off of. I will be seeing my PCP for a new pain management referral. Dr. Pico is sketchy and unprofessional. I could totally see him bribing patients with gift cards in exchange for positive Yelp reviews. read more

Yes I agree Dr.Smith is a charmer. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE KELLEY and I let him talk me into getting the spinal cord stimulator and now it's causing me more pain than the pain I had before getting it. The problem is I'm no longer a patient of his and my new pain management Dr. are a bunch of idiots. So I contacted Dr.Smith after all he told me out of his own mouth before that he could be my Dr. without prescribing me pain meds so I reached out and what did he do he's passing the buck. first I was told to come in and they could remove it which I replied no you can't. And Richard responded you have the trial right. I'm like no I have the permanent it'll be a year this April. Richard response we don't have ant records of that, so what did they have to do? They had to call medtronic to info about a previous patient that they should have ALL MEDICAL RECORDS OF ESPECIALLY WHAT THEY DID. Even if I'm not his patient doesn't he still have some level of responsibility being if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have this thing inside of me(not that he put a gun to my head) . Now I know that the real truth about these Dr.s IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY$$ PLEASE DON'T GET THE SCS DON'T EVEN LET THEM DO THE TRIAL BECAUSE IF FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU END UP NOT BEING HIS PATIENT YOU'RE GOING TO BE BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. DO YOUR RESEARCH! SO NOW MY INSURANCE IS TRYING TO HELP ME GET THIS FIGURED OUT. DON'T TRUST THESE DR WHEN IT COMES TO A THIRD PARTY CAUSE THEY ALL JUST TRYING TO GET PAID TO THEM WERE JUST CATTLE AND DOLLAR SIGNS. I HATE THE DAY I MET DR DALLAS SMITH AND CALLED AZ PAIN CENTERS. read more

This place was fucking HORRIBLE!! I had been seeing my previous pain dr for the past 5 yrs but he recently ended up moving to a different clinic that didn't take my insurance, so I've been trying to find another one since then. I decided to try this place because a good friend of mine had been going there for quite some time and really liked the doctors. For my consult, first I had to speak with NP Daryl Potter..from the second that man walked into the room, he literally looked me up and down as if he was judging me based on my appearance (I am young and have lots of tattoos and piercings) and didn't smile even once during our entire encounter. He was the coldest, most rude physician that I have EVER encountered in my entire life (and I'm not the type to ever leave bad reviews for anything)!! I brought copies in of ALL of my medical records plus years worth of imaging (CT's, MRI's, and x-rays). I even wrote down a list of all my diagnoses and surgeries since I've had 20+ surgeries in the past 3 years. He didn't read through any of it, except my medication list. The second he noticed that I was taking an anti-anxiety (prescribed by my psychiatrist who I've been seeing for years), something for my ADD (prescribed by the same psychiatrist), a strong opiate painkiller (prescribed by my previous pain dr mentioned earlier for the past few yrs), and a weaker opiate painkiller for breakthrough/post-surgical pain (which I only took MAYBE once or twice a WEEK -- not daily), he just kept interrogating me and glaring at me as if I was just there to get pain meds out of them. I told him that I'd tried every other treatment under the sun minus acupuncture and nerve ablation and not only did he dismiss my pain as being pretty much non-existent, he verbatim told me that he didn't feel comfortable giving me anything for my pain..in fact, he wanted to wean me off of my pain meds altogether! Mind you, my pain is chronic, 24/7, to the point where I had to stop working and apply for Disability. He also verbatim said that he didn't understand why I even had a spinal cord stimulator, that I shouldn't have it because I have it for the wrong reasons, and that if I were their PT, they wouldn't have given me one. My pain meds, spinal cord stimulator, and rest are the only reasons I can even function! My stimulator was absolutely warranted because I have degenerative disc disease and herniated discs in my lower back and nothing else was helping with any of the pain (aside from acute relief from my low dose pain meds at that time), so my previous pain dr suggested that I try out the stimulator..and low and behold, it reduced my back pain by at least 50%!! Not to mention my insurance covered the procedure, so obviously it helped with my back pain (which is typically why they're recommended). One of the things that pissed me off even more so was the fact that my friend who had been seeing them for a while now, had just been prescribed 2 weeks prior, the SAME exact high-strength opiate painkiller that they were denying me....yet I have 10x more issues and diagnoses than her. I politely expressed my frustration with him, since he wasn't listening to me whatsoever, so then he sent in Dr. Pico..who was equally as cold, rude, judgmental and also gave me the same glaring look up and down. I explained all of my complex chronic pain issues all over again to him, showing him all of my records and my list of diagnoses and conditions. Even though their office does do medication mgmt, he too refused to take me on as a patient because he also felt as though my pain was not severe enough to warrant any painkillers..and that my herniated discs shouldn't have been causing me any pain whatsoever. I was beyond appalled! These men didn't even know me!! I wish that they could be in my body for just 1 day..then they'd both shut the fuck up. All of my pain issues came on when I was 22, and I had NOTHING for pain for the first 3 years..It was pure hell!! Doctors kept writing everything off because I was "too young" to have any serious issues..but low and behold, 6 years, 20+ surgeries, and about 25 diagnoses later, here I am having more physicians basically tell me that I'm fine and questioning whether or not my pain even truly exists. I was absolutely LIVID and disgusted with the way that they treated me..I would not recommend going here if your pain issues aren't visually apparent (such as being wheelchair-bound), if you are under the age of 30, or if you have any body modifications. They wouldn't listen to me at all when I was trying to explain my lengthy and complex medical history, all that they did was judge me based on my medication list, the fact that I have a neurostimulator, and then they kept comparing me to some stupid cancer PT studies, saying that all of their pain got better once they were off of painkillers..ergo my pain would also magically go away if I wasn't on painkillers. Stay faaaar away from this horrible office!!! read more