I left Dr. Elfenbaum's office feeling humiliated, defeated, and even more hopeless at finding relief from constant and consistent back pain left from repeated IED exposure's in Iraq ,many years in the Infantry, and back surgeries. I thought going outside the VA due to continuity of care would allow me to get connected with a pain management doctor who could truly help, and not get caught in the high turnover of physicians within the Department of Veterans Affairs. I've never used what happened to me in Iraq as a crutch. I never placed the blame on anyone or played the victim, I just wanted some help. That being said, having so many concussions, the last of which was a MTBI which left me with some deficits in terms of memory. Today when reviewing my first month of treatment with Dr. Elfenbaum, I was honestly grilled in the most humiliating and offensive manner for not remembering certain instructions she left. I can understand several reasons why doctors can get frustrated. Drug seeking patients, high volume of patients, or whatever other inconveniences and nuisances come along with being a doctor, and in all candor, can't imagine what they have to deal with on a daily basis. I did not take more pain medication than prescribed, I did not deviate from the treatment plan she outlined. I simply couldn't remember to call her to let her know if the pain stayed the same, got better, or increased. I've never felt so humiliated and ashamed for something completely out of my control. Having been through the gamut of cognitive therapies, and try as hard as I may with many tools at my disposal, I still forget, and there isn't a day that goes by where it isn't frustrating to hear that I forgot something. My wife broke down in tears after we left the Doctors office. My wife has been my rock and support, but isn't always there as she works full time and was made to feel culpable. From the perspective of a patient who is genuinely looking for help, I would truly recommend going elsewhere for treatment simply for the fact that mutual respect isn't extended in addition to lack of empathy. I plan on letting the Primary Care physician who referred me to Dr. Elfenbaum know what transpired. The only positive from this experience is Dr. Elfenbaum's front desk staff. I can't remember her name but she is courteous, professional, and empathetic. The only thing I'm left thinking after today is.....what do I do now.....and feel even more hopeless than before. read more

Dr. Elfenbaum is one of the best doctors I've been to in my 36 years of being a quad in a wheelchair. She takes extra time to really listen and learn what you are saying as a patient. read more

I was referred to Dr Elfenbaum by my primary care doctor. After Her staff worked non-stop to get my insurance to pay for MRI/CT and XRays she worked out a plan for me to be able to go back to work full time and be able to be mostly pain free I truly am grateful for all she does to give me a quality of life I look forward to living . read more

I went to see Dr Elfenbaum for pain. I explained I had just moved from Maryland and I only had less then 90 day supply left of my Tramadol (recent back surgery). Anyway, after bringing in all my medical records and doing everything she asked including seeing a rheumatologist (negative of course - just a red herring - it was all Ortho related), she did absolutely NOTHING! Never called back. Never followed up on promises made. And her staff (Carolyn) never returns calls and never did anything she promised as well. I was on the "clock" so I left Elfenbaum and found a wonderful doctor at Scripps Carmel Valley (Dr Kaylan Graham) who really cares about her patients. Avoid Elfenbaum and her do-nothing staff and save yourself a lot of time! read more

Dr Elfenbaum is the absolute best physiatrist and actually feels like my primary care dr since she and Carolyn make sure to get copies of ALL my medical records from every dr I see. She really truly cares about her patients and so does Carolyn. Yes you will have a long wait but that is because she takes the time to listen and get the full picture of your life. Her job is now made even harder because of ridiculous regulations that just punish chronic pain patients as if we don't suffer enough. Yes you will sign a pain management contract as you will with every dr now since almost every medication is now being considered a controlled substance. Dr Elfenbaum knows the laws, follows what is coming so she can be prepared for her patients and she makes it extremely clear that if you don't follow the rules of the contract you will be dropped as her patient. The review that knocked her for immediately dropping him knew the consequences of his actions. She is smart and has a full busy practice so she doesn't need to take on patients with addiction issues that could create problems for her and her other patients. Instead she has the option to really help people like me find a team of drs that can help me with all my orthopedic issues and compile a combination of tools in my toolbox with a wide range of resources and remedies from holistic eastern medicine to western medicine. You won't find a more respected, intelligent, or caring team than Dr Elfenbaum and Carolyn. They truly are the gold standard read more

I had similar experience to robert. After ling waits she decided i wasnt qualified to be her patient. Didnt have the decency to explain. Assigned i to her poor saff to tell me. Dont waste time & aggravation w this one read more

I was a patient of Dr Elfenbaum for many years when I lived in San Diego up until 2010. She has a very no-nonsense approach to physiatry and is very solution oriented. Her staff is awesome, responsive and very timely. They provide a very family-like atmosphere and you always know she will take care of you. I have an incomplete spinal cord injury and she assisted me with medication management, botox injections, pain management and overall counseling. I am in Oregon now, and I would continue to see her if I were still in San Diego. If you have chronic pain, SCI/spinal cord, or other issues she is an outstanding resource for you. If you see ever go see her please tell her I (The bald black guy with the cane) said hi!! read more

I was a patient of Dr Elfenbaum's for a couple of years until about 2002 for chronic lower back muscular pain that would escalate to incredibly painful muscle spasms which I had been dealing with for most of my life. For the most part, I found her to be a competent and caring doctor that did everything that she could to minimize the impact that this had on my life and one of the ways that she did this was by prescribing heavy doses of narcotic painkiller medicine. This was when Oxycontin had been on the market only a couple of years so it was being prescribed on a large scale by doctors since they didn't have the information that they have today regarding how addictive and destructive this and other narcotic painkillers have on the human body. Ultimately, she was prescribing high quantities to me without hesitation and the addiction really took hold of me but I was able to not display any symptoms of that addiction during our office visits. One day, out of the blue, she requested that I take a drug test and without hesitation, I complied not thinking about anything negative happening as a result. That drug test showed that I had amphetamine in my system which was a drug that I used on a regular basis several years earlier but I was about 5 years clean at that point. I don't know why I just happened to use a couple of days earlier but I did and she ultimately reacted in a manner that I will always despise her for. She told me that she would no longer be my doctor so consequently I would no longer have access to the Oxycontin medication that my body had become so heavily addicted to and she wouldn't discuss the situation any further. Now, I take ownership of my addiction to the meds BUT she completely separated herself from any kind of responsibility on her part and to this day, I have difficulty reconciling the fact that she left me out in the cold by not only cutting me off from the medication in addition to NOT offering any sort of help regarding my addiction or discussing any possible resources for getting any help for myself. She cut ties with me without hesitation and didn't offer any sort of life ring to me so that I could try to get myself in a healthy place. I could understand her refusing to not be my doctor anymore but the fact that she didn't at least point me in the direction of getting some help for my addiction is beyond comprehension at this point and my life had been destroyed because of her actions. I lost everything because she didn't help me get the help that I so desperately needed and I can honestly say that suicide was something that I contemplated heavily for many years. Today, I can honestly say that I haven't used any of these drugs in years and I was able to do so ON MY OWN but I still have an incredible amount of resentment towards this doctor because she wouldn't help the 'monster' that she created(her words from that last time that I spoke to her) and so I would NOT and could NOT recommend ANYONE becoming a patient of hers. read more

Dr. Elfenbaum is the most compassionate doctor I have ever seen. During these times of laws being passed, that make her job much more difficult, she will not abandon you. She works with you to find a solution. Dr E. has given me the ability to work full time and spend quality time with my 2 boys who are now 9. Without her help I would have missed out on so much activities and fun adventures. Caroline is also amazing. She returns your calls immediately and will fight for you when your insurance company are always trying to deny everything. I can't say enough good things about both of these amazing ladies. If you are lucky enough to have them as your doctor, consider yourself one of the lucky ones you couldn't have anyone better. Thank you Dr. E and Caroline, I don't know what I would have done without you. Karen Hogan read more

I was referred to Dr. E after two knee replacements as a result of aggressive RA. She was extremely thorough in her initial exam and highly professional ever since. I've been a patient for 2 1/2 years and have been extremely happy with her approach to treating the whole person. She refers you to other specialists and assembles a treatment team of specialists in various disciplines. You may have to wait for you initial appointment but it is well worth the wait. read more

I basically lived with chronic pain the majority of my adult life until I was fortunate enough to be referred to Dr. Elfenbaum. She is genuine, you can definitely tell that she has a passion to help you relieve your pain. I am sincere when I say that NOTHING falls through the cracks in her office. If it is an authorization that is needed, it is submitted and for the most part, approved by the time you get to where it is needed. It is sad to think of ALL the patients that have to suffer everyday because there is only ONE of her to go around. I truly will be forever grateful for her taking care of me, making sure that I live as pain free as possible so I can enjoy life. read more

After many years dealing with surgeries and chronic pain I was fortunate to be referred to Dr Eflenbaum who takes time to listen thoroughly, discuss symptoms and review all options in order to create a plan to help. She will continue to work with you on that plan until it is perfected. She is on top of all current procedures and medications in order to provide the most amazing care imaginable. Should you mention "any" aliment this is a doctor who cares enough to ask for more detail and works with you to find a solution, as she is extremely patient and knowledgeable about so many different areas of medicine/treatment. She will offer referrals (if needed) in order to find the best fit to get the proper care for you. There have been times I mention an area of concern in passing and before I leave she has printed information/referrals and always follows up with me about that issue at my next visit. This is a doctor who truly cares. It's important to remember this is a doctor who handles sensitive medications. If your taking medication under her care it could be easy to feel sensitive/defensive when asked to take random/standard tests, however, she is also responsible to uphold her commitment to look after you and your health while in her care. She is thorough. Upon your arrival you will be greeted by a very caring, attentive and professional staff. When leaving, the staff works patiently with you and follows up as needed. They will also call and remind you of your next appointment. When you see the doctor you are her priority, the focus is solely on you and your needs. She is extremely professional, yet has a warm and comforting air about her. Her professionalism and bedside manner leaves you feeling secure with your health plan. Rare to find these days. Once your in her care, you will know you can count on her to help with your problem and look out for what's best for your health. She is truly an amazing doctor. read more

I have lived with Chronic & Acute pain for the majority of my adult life. Unfortunately, most of my previous Doctors' just did not grasp how terrible I felt most of the time. Finally, I was referred to Dr. Elfenbaum several years ago & what a delight it was to finally have a Dr. who truly cares & has compassion for my Chronic & Acute pain. But she doesn't just stop there, she has knowledge in so many other areas & is more than willing to listen to my problems & how they may or may not be related to my pain. While she is very compassionate, she also has very strict rules & regulations that her patients must follow. This is something she must do considering she prescribes pain medications. Dr. Elfenbaum & her receptionist, Caroline, run the office like a fine tuned Mercedes! I have never had a single problem with paperwork or anything like that, they simply make no mistakes, ever! Seriously! I am extremely thankful to be a patient of Dr. Elfenbaum's, she has been there for me through 2 spine surgeries, not to mention that her treatment for my pain has helped me. Janice read more

dr elphenbaum has been my pain manahement treating physician for a very long time now. She is the most compassionate and sincere dr. I have ever dealt with. she really does care about getting patients what they need to live life with quality as best we can. dr. elphenbaum is also a very ethical dr. do not expect her to violate her portion of the pain contract all parties must sign. she is understanding and professional and will work hard for her patients. I have to incude others in my review as i would be very naive to assume i was the only one. i have also wittnessed how she treats other patients. Across the board, when it comes to the issue of chronic pain, dr elphenbaum is the dr I would want working hard to manage that pain. for me, that dr has to listen to me. and she does listen. dr marcia elphenbaum will never give up on you. her staff is very competent and do not drag their feet. they know each patient by name and are continually keeping up with any changes in laws, policies, and protocals. I am greatful to have her as my treating physcian for chronic pain. read more