This place is a scam. I received a referral from my Primary to see a doctor that specializes in pain management. After reviewing the bios of my options, I chose Dr. Zach Cohen. I called his office to make an appt and even asked about the doctor. When I showed up for my appt, I was told I would not see Dr. Cohen, I would see his Physician's Assistant instead. I asked why that was not disclosed to me over the phone when I made my appt- since I had even asked questions about the doctor I would be seeing....the front desk told me Dr. Cohen does not see patients, he only performs the surgeries and only meets with patients pre and post surgery. Such a scam!!!! read more

Went a month ago, had the whole appointment and reviews of my MRIs. Was told I needed an injection. We schedule it, then suddenly the assistant I saw is no longer there and they need to reschedule me. I say fine, but we're getting to a month after I saw the first guy now. They take my money and this new assistant gives me the EXACT SAME REVIEW AS THE FIRST GUY and NO INJECTION. No pain management. Then I'm told to schedule the injection date. ANOTHER MONTH before I get the help the first guy told me I needed! They took my money twice to tell me the same thing twice. No new information, almost verbatim the same appointment. I even told the provider that I was told that day was injection day and he brushed me off. Do not come here. I'm still waiting for a call from the office manger to correct this situation. read more

Absolute scammers. I was t-boned by another driver in August 2024. Was referred to these clowns. I had a 10 minute consultation with a medical assistant who wanted to recommend removing a vertebrae because I had a neck injury from whiplash. Of course I refused. The bill for this 10 minutes was in excess of $2000, which was negotiated down to $1300 by my lawyer. Absolutely outrageous. I have asked on numerous occasions to see my bill, but they have ignored my requests. To add insult to injury, in early 2025 I received a bill from a third party for nearly $400 for sample testing for tests that never even took place. After contacting the third party I found out this was from California Pain Consultants in La Mesa. After complaining to them, I was told it was an error with their billing system. Well, guess what? Last week I received yet another bill from this same third party for, you guessed it, sample testing. Once I can forgive as a system error. Twice... it's a scam. I wonder how many folks don't bother to check and simply pay. I will complaining strongly to the City of La Mesa or whoever oversees businesses here, and if there's a governing medical board or other authority, them too. Absolute disgrace. read more

DON'T BE 5 MINUTES LATE!!! Anyone experiencing chronic back pain understands that you move slower than most. I arrived to my appointment 5 minutes early but the parking lot was full so I had to park quite a distance from the building. I checked in 5 minutes late then was told that "the provider", my appointment was with PA Derek Wright, said I needed to reschedule. In my 63 years I have never experienced such nonsense! I find it interesting that patients wait 20, 30, 40 mintes or even an hour for a doctor yet in this scenario the doctor had to wait 5 minutes for me then sent me home with the same chronic back pain. This isn't the first issue I've had with this clinic but it will be the last. read more

PA, Derrick Wright, has been an excellent example of someone who genuinely cares for his patience's health and well-being. Initially, when I began seeing Derrick at the La Mesa clinic, I instantly connected to his caring and compassionate manner. Derrick listened to my health concerns and helped me map out a plan to improve my pain condition. To this day, I'm extremely grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and courtesy! Cynthia L. Patrick read more

After multiple issues with this practice, I feel compelled to warn people. The short version is that this felt more like a MLM scheme for billable appointment hours and excessive follow up scheduling than actual care for patients as people. If you'd like a detailed summary of issues, my problems included things such as: - Unreachable office staff. They do not return calls or texts. With as many issues as this office has, I often had to try to speak with someone about appointments issues, medication, or procedures. It always required excessive effort to get a response. - Lack of medical oversight. I've never seen a practice that had this many layers between patients and the doctors. Multiple visits and I only saw a PA or nurse. None had read my chart to understand my medical history. - Poor schedule management/insurance coordination. Procedures were booked and repeatedly rescheduled or even moved. Quite a bit would have been avoided if they waited to schedule procedures after insurance approvals, but it all feels like part of that rushed scheme at the expense of doing it right. The final straw was when they booked me a follow-up appt (they book the appt for you...) to refill the prescription that I tried multiple times to tell them had not been called in. Since switching to a new doctor who actually took time to meet with me, I finally feel like I'm on a path to healing. It's refreshing after this experience. read more

Refused to see me unless I gave away my legal rights. Also the place is really hard to find. It's outside and to the left. read more

California Pain Consultants - The door all the way to the left. - Pain Management Near Me - La Mesa, California

This place has more issues. Although I haven't been there in months, I received a bill from them. I didn't question it and paid it as well as an invoice for my husband. My husband told me he had already paid his bill (I asked when I was there and their system didn't show it had been paid) As it turns out, the payment I made the month before was never applied - apparently they use an outside billing company and one doesn't know what the other is doing. SO FRUSTRATING! Not happy at all. read more

I was randomly assigned to Gordon/. He refused to prescribe pain medication for my spondylosis.

I am not on any pain medication. This pain doctor was supposed to help with severe back pain due to severe scoliosis. They have successfully helped me in the past, but not any more. They have made so many mistakes lately, I no longer have confidence in this clinic. They have put in authorization requests for the wrong location, the wrong side of my body, and the wrong levels of spinal nerves for ablation. The PA told me they did the ablation on the wrong set of nerves. The office manager completely covered for this error. When I said I'm still in more pain than I should be, she said she was sorry about that. read more

Stay far away from this business!! A lot of PAs are rude and condescending. The doctors don't have time for you.

Overall, this practice is a joke. Completely unprofessional and does not care if you are in pain. Dr. Cohen has zero bedside manner and obviously does not take any pride in helping people whatsoever. If you are in pain DO NOT waste your time going here. Get a real doctor. read more

For several years I've dealt with migraines and joint pain and over the years I've seen multiple doctors. Each doctor had a different opinion without doing proper testing. It wasn't until I saw P.A Alex Filen who took the time to actually listen to me. After we did testing, the results concluded that I have RA, (Rheumatoid arthritis). Finally after years of doctors looking at me like I was crazy, I had answers. As a team we came up with a treatment plan that not only works, but it allows for me to enjoy life again. Before discovering Alex, I felt as if I was just a number to other providers. He takes his time, has bedside manner, and listens to what the patients needs are. I owe so much to him for getting my life back on track and for allowing me to express my concerns without feeling judged. Thank you Alex for everything you do, not only do for me, but for all of your patients. For anyone who is looking for a provider, look no further, he is your doctor!!! read more

Do not choose these guys for your pain management. I went to their Escondido office for about a year and although I was happy with the back office and treatment, the front office was an absolute dumpster fire. At first, I would see patients come in and complain about messed up appointments, difficulty in getting medication and phone calls not being returned. I thought these folks were just being "Karens". I soon started seeing what they were complaining about. I finally had my procedure and it relieved my pain for about a year, which the Dr. said it would. Fast forward a year... Apparently, they reorganized and I now was going to Rancho Barnardo. After the first appointment, the receptionist scheduled me for my second appointment. When I showed up for the appointment, I was told it was at the Ruffin Road location about 15 minutes away. She called them to let them know I would be late. When I got there, I was told that I would have to reschedule. Nope... It's not a privilege to see a Dr., I'll now go somewhere else where they have their act together. Like I said, don't see these guys unless you want endless frustrations, they are a dumpster fire. read more

As a double amputee with complications, I have been seeing pain management doctors for many years, and have been to multiple offices in San Diego since 1977. Considering my experiences over the years, I highly recommend CA Pain Consultants. I have been seeing my PA-C, Alex for 10 years now, and the level of care I have received from him is absolutely excellent. He worked in a different Pain Clinic prior to moving here, and I followed him to CA Pain. He simply knows a great deal about pain and the medical issues associated with it. At every visit, he asks multiple questions about how I am doing overall, and it is apparent that he likes to care for his patients to help them enjoy the best quality of life possible. The other people in the office are friendly and professional. The office is busy, but my appointments are on time. Once again, I highly recommend Alex Filen and CA Pain Consultants. read more

My daughter was sent there in June, 2025. She has a brain tumor and has had 24 surgeries...two in 2025. On June 26th they ordered a "pain patch". Three days later I discovered the prescription was returned to the doctor. I called, left texts, etc. Finally went into office on July 2 to let them know we did not receive meds. They claimed they would fix it and gave her oxicodone for 10 days. I went to there offuce FIVE TIMES with no response and no meds. They called in another order of pills plus another medication. Pharmacy would only fill PILLS. BACK to office again! They claimed "higher ups" would contact me. No response. ..until I said I was going to report their office to the Medical board. Then they called and set us up with appointment at their Ruffin Road office on July 30...THIRTY DAYS after first appointment. At that office they called in another prescription....that was ALSO NOT FILLED! THERE is no.way to contact doctors. Their phones have been "out of order" since JUNE. What kind of doctor doesn't have phone service for SIX WEEKS! My daughter is a 16 yr tumor survivor and has NEVER had her meds not approved by MediCare. I think this office is a fraud. read more