RE: KARMA WILLIAMS, PA and BREANNA, JOHNSTON PAIN STAFF My pickup at the pharmacy went sideways this weekend, In the midst of the usual chaos of a Monday, I attempted to reach out to my provider at JOHNSTON PAIN MANAGEMENT due to an issue with my script at CVS in Hampstead. After numerous calls and messages, sweet BREANNA picked up the phone at 2 PM and just owned the whole situation! She made contact promptly with KARMA and I have no doubt that between the two of these professional and personable women, I'll have my meds today. Please thank both Breanna and Karma for me! With Breanna, her patience, willingness to help, and reassurance helped to calm me and I feel confident that the dilemma is resolved! I'm so grateful for Karma and staff members like Breanna who understand how frustrating these situations can be for the patient. Her attention to the details of the situation kept me from having to repeat the whole scenario over and over and she just took it forward, assuring me that everything would be resolved and that she'd call me back promptly, I felt complete relief after a stressful morning. With Karma, I always feel that I am the only patient at the practice, she makes you feel that special! I've been with her for roughly 10 years and the undivided attention that she shows me during my visits are such a blessing to me. While this world is spinning at breakneck speed, Karma truly listens to every word I have to say and I know that she truly cares for me and all of her other patients, Mondays are just heavy days but thankfully, these two beautiful souls have taken away my stress regarding receiving my overdue meds. God bless all of you there at Johnston Pain! Sharon read more

I am 73 year old man. Life expectancy after covid 19 is about 76 years. These heartless Doctors will treat you like pond scum and use any lame excuse to let you suffer in agonizing pain in your winter years. They will not prescribe opiods period. They use one drug test lab and it is a joke. I know bad results when I see it. I retired from D.O.D getting at the truth was what I do. There should be two independent labs not one. I have have seen men in high places that are full of themselves. I wonder how they will hold up to a peer review. Malpractice? No. Best Medical Practice? Oh NO. read more

11/20/25 I've been a patient at JPM in Jacksonville,NC for approx a yr.Yesterday I had ablations done to my lower back by Dr.Erin Cheney & her team.Dr.Cheney is & has been,through the procedures she's performed on me,not only extremely professional,confident & knowledgeable in doing the procedure itself,but her ability to multi-task before,during & post procedure with such an upbeat,friendly & personable bedside manner makes me feel truly confident,at ease & valued as a person!I also asked her for a possible answer/solution to a recent & debilitating condition in my shoulder.We discussed it,she LISTENED INTENTLY & before I was to the front desk had an appt to move fwd with what I think(& it seems she agreed)is at the crux of the issue.Dr.Cheney represents to me,what other Dr's,especially in Pain Mgmt,should aspire to be. Thank you Dr.Cheney & her equally adept team for providing professionalism & compassion in equal doses! Ken D. read more

I'm a stage 4 lung & liver cancer Survivor. I've been in chronic bone & nerve pain for 21 years. I have been a patient of Johnston Pain Management for many years. I have never had any trouble with getting treatment at Johnston Pain Management. The staff is always very nice & professional. I have seen many of the doctors at this office at different times throughout the years & all have been extremely knowledgeable, nice, & professional. I've found that as long as you're respectful, truthful, & stick to your contract, you'll never have any issues. They're a very busy office with many patients, so you may have to leave a message with them if you ever have any questions or concerns, but they always get back to me within a day. I highly recommend Johnston Pain Management. read more

The Drs are excellent. My Dr is friendly but professional. Especially love that she listens carefully and yet also has a great sense of humor. Her smiles go a long way towards improving my day! read more

It's refreshing to have a doctor actually listen to your concerns and provide honest solutions with real expectations of the outcome. Dr.Harkrider has improved my quality of life in a few short months. And, the entire staff are professional and caring. Also, my friends & family have noticed the positive difference in me and that means a lot. I'm really glad I requested an appointment with this clinic, and only wish I had done it sooner. Thank you. read more

My first appointment was a meet and greet, pain (level 7-8) that day on or about 5/9/2025. PA said she can't do anything for me until she gets ALL my records even though she can see my MRIs from Coastal Diagnostic because of the agreement with them. She can look up every pain pill I've ever gotten on the registry, swab or give me a urinalysis but did not. Since then I called 3 times (on 5/20/2025) no one answered. I eventually stayed on the phone a 4th time letting ring about 15-20 times (each time) and the answering machine picked up. On 5/28/2025 they still had not called me back. Meanwhile my Ortho doc put in a referral 5/15/2025 for a steroid shot, which no one called me about hence my call on 5/20/2025 to see what the status was and make a appt for that. I had a appt 5/28/2025 and they waited until then to tell me yes on a steroid shot, which is scheduled on 6/12/2025 at their earliest out of 3 locations and it's 45 minutes away from Jacksonville in Hampstead. I wonder if they took action on the referral earlier if it would be another 2 weeks away...suffering center, not pain management. I cannot walk more than 40 yards without sitting down..painful. I teach sitting and walk 40 yds a couple times then I spend my weekends sitting recovering from my week. Over the past 2 months I've done nothing but sit and wait. The PA today apologized for them being short staffed. Sounds like a management problem. She said I could use the patient portal...first time hearing about it in 20 days, no communication about it at all. I created an account today and had my phone save the password. I cannot log back in. I went to the front desk and she pulled me up and gave me the same info I was putting in. The PA told me I can call in and see if there were any cancellations if I needed an earlier appt but no one answers the phone or calls back...I would if they answered! My coworker complains about the same deficiencies there. read more

Excellent staff. Coordinated well with my insurance to maintain consistent care. Helped with both back pain and migraines.

It took a while but finally got on the portal. The administrator Denny is such a sweet man. I explained the problems that I was having with the portal and he was able to get me on and walk me through while I tried printing and locating specific information. He is the man to run this business. NOW for Dr. Holder. Wonderful! I've had three injections in the past from different doctors and screamed at each injection. This was my first visit with Dr. Holder. I had taken a Valium and it did nothing because I was so upset. Dr. Holder was kind, and understanding of my fear and went slowly and talked me through each step. On the first visit the two girls assisting were also kind and understanding. For my second injection Doc again was patient and walked me through it. There were two girls assisting. One I recognized but the other was not at all caring. For my third injections I did not need the Valium. Though the shots did not work my anxiety level was very low. I have now been sent to a new doctor that wants to give me a new type of injection and I specifically asked for Dr. Holder. Office staff is pleasant. As you can see I would return to this office. read more

Waiting time is never too long great staff always looking out for there patience. You can tell they care about their people it shows. If your looking for a good pain management doctor this is the place to go. read more

I originally gave Johnston Pain Management 4 stars because the staff here is very understanding and helpful when it comes to any concerns you may have. Dr. Maynard is extremely nice and he genuinely listens to your problems. However the last time I was here, my appointment was at 2pm and I wasn't seen until almost 5pm. I asked the women at the front desk if I was properly checked in and they said yes. I told them my appointment was at 2 and it is now 5pm. I was very respectful, but they had a nasty attitude with me and said the Dr who gives the steroid epidural shots was running late. That didn't upset me, their attitudes did, the blonde lady even rolled her eyes at me. I got the steroid epidural shot three months ago and I have been having uterine bleeding since then non stop. Every day for the last three months I've been bleeding. I made a doctors appointment and they put me on birth control which has caused me to gain weight and be extremely hormonal. The shot did not help at all and has just caused more problems than I had to begin with. These doctors really need to inform their patients of the possible side effects that come with these epidural shots. read more

Dr. Johnston Doctor Johnson he's the bomb he's the best doctor especially pain doctor that there is around he's thorough he's funny and he's nice thank you Doctor Johnson for everything that you've help me with. I think you my body thinks you I would recommend him to anyone who has chronic pain cancer pain read more

First off I want to say that I have been a patient at JPM for years and I have never really had any problems from JPM until now. Every time I have gone in for an appointment the provider always states that if I have any issues or problems to let them know. Well, I tried to have my prescription filled at the Naval Hospital but due to shortages they were unable to fill my prescription. The pharmacy tried to call them to see if the doctor was ok with having double of a smaller dose was allowed. The pharmacy was unable to get in contact with JPM and would not fill my prescription. When I brought the original prescription back to have it changed to a lower dose that is when I run into problems at JPM. The lady at the front desk stated that the Naval Hospital doesn't need a new prescription to fill at a lower dose when clearly the Naval Hospital wouldn't fill it in the first place. She told me to go to the main pharmacy at the Naval Hospital and they will fill it, hello lady, that is where I was at when I had to come in to change the prescription!!! I am not very happy with JPM right now and I would not recommend them to anyone at this particular time!!!!!!! Steve G. read more

I went to this establishment 8 times for pain management. They never got any documentation or helped me with anything. Their psychologist tried to blame me for my endometriosis pain. Luckily I found some care in Alaska and Seattle. I'll be getting a hysterectomy in March. I WOULD NOT GO HERE IF I WERE YOU. THEY ARE USELESS. read more

very un professional, un ethical, and broke patient confidentiality, and even went as far as breaking the law, this place has little to be desired, I will be filing legal proceedings against the firm. read more

I think the way they are pressured by new laws, insurance companies they are doing an incredible job! Yes your in the pain but patience is a virtue!! S.Ryan read more

If you want to save yourself some aggravation, "DONOT", use Johnston Pain Management. The Staff is useless, they don't answer the phone, they don't reply to emails, they don't reply to their own web communicator. Johnston is never punctual or even close to it. I have never been seen anywhere near my scheduled appointment time, it has always been at least an hour after or more. Once seen and you question Johnston about the issues you experience with his office he becomes defensive, angry and argumentative. His prescriptions are always submitted incorrectly or to the wrong pharmacy delaying or being rejected totally for required medication. Johnston's attitude is self absorbed, arrogant, self centered and unsympathetic to his patients for their ailments and their time. After months of trying to work with them and giving them the benefit of the doubt, my frustration and stress level became unacceptable and I realized patients should not have to go through this and we have other highly qualified, very professional and competent pain management professionals who respect their patients and their time. Fire him and go somewhere else and don't settle for this kind of service. read more

I had been on pain management before out of town and heard about this place. My family doctor gave me the referral i needed so i could be seen being that it is literally a mile from my home. It took a while to get in and once I did the doctors wanted to try different things than I had been doing. I had been told I couldn't have lumbar epidural injections due to having had transverse myelitis before. I expressed my concerns with the doctors (Bennett, Johnston, and White) and they said I most definately could do it. I tried to have an open mind and agreed to try it. (my thoughts were if it helped and i wouldnt have to be on my pain meds it would be much appreciated) I finally had the lumbar epidural steroid injection. No relief whatsoever! My follow up appt. was a month out. I had to call everyday to see if they had any cancellations so i could be seen. After a week, hurting so bad I was in tears I just showed up and begged to be seen. When I saw the doctor I told them I had NO relief plus had uterine bleeding that wouldnt stop. They treated me like a drug seeker, didnt listen to my concerns, and in general just acted like they could care less. Then made another appointment for the same procedure. It has been a nightmare with the first injection. It has been over a month now since I had it and still have uterine bleeding. Ive had to go to the gyn and be put on hormones to try and stop it. The Gyn I saw said I couldnt have any more of those injections because I could hemorrhage and bleed to death. I have since found a better place. The doctors at my new place couldnt believe the way I was treated after seeing all of my mri reports and diagnosis. The difference between the offices are night and day. I wouldnt recommend Johnston Pain Management unless you want to be treated like a drug seeker, lab rat, and not have your concerns heard and acknowledged. read more

Terrible. That's all I can say about this place. I understand that healthcare is a difficult field to work in, but the provider I saw here has zero compassion, and pills are the only solution she would suggest, even after I asked not to be on meds. I really don't recommend this facility to anyone. I've had nothing but terrible experiences every time I've come here. read more

I have been coming to JPM since 2011. The staff is always friendly, knowledgeable, professional and seek to make my pain management the best it can be. They have helped with several different options that I have tried over the years. They continue to be a very caring group of professionals that I would highly recommend to anyone needing help with pain management. read more

I have been going to this clinic since 2013 and had it not been for this clinic and one of their providers Dr. Erin Chaney I would not be here today. The first day I walked into their clinic had already committed to ending my life that evening because my pain level was more than I could bare and the veteran's administration was doing nothing to help for 15 years. Dr. Chaney was so compassionate and listened to everything I had to tell her, that day she gave me back my hope that one day as a team with Johnston Pain Management we would find and manage my pain, and 5 years later I am still here my pain is under control and I am able to live a better life and do things with my family that I thought I would never be able to do again, Dr. Chaney is my Human Angel that walks this Earth for that day in 2013 she saved my life and so did Johnston Pain Management. I will forever be a grateful patient. Yes they have a lot of rules to follow but they are in our best interest as their patient. read more

I cant find the words for how I feel about this place,, the words I do have I couldn't put on line. But this place Blows my mind..They treat you like you're an addict...They have no empathy on what the patient is going thru. I went there for a yr. Ive had 6 back surgeries with a lot of metal from one end of my spine to the other I am being sent to Duke Neurosugery in Durham. Johnston had me on pain meds...They took me off them yesterday Telling me my urine test showed Negative for my pain medicine..I took my pill 8:45am they tested me around 11:30 .How is this possible and I had taken one before bedtime the night before..My meds are the only way I can make it thru the day Sometimes they barely worked at all BUT I MOST DEFINITELY TOOK THEM..I Cried and begged them to not do this to me I ask for a blood test I told them I would do anything..But they refused all I suggested gave me a script for 15 pills and They said and I quote "This will help you come off the hydromorphone" What?..You just told me or accused me of NOT TAKING THEM!!..THEY ARE PUNISHING THE WRONG PATIENT...I truly don't know how I will make it without my meds MY QUALITY OF LIFE IS ALREADY 0! This place is not where you should go if you are truly in pain...The dr. sat there and showed me my MRI my cervical 1 and 2 are diseased up and he showed me something that is growing at the base of my skull and his words are" IVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS! But yet they took my medicine away from me read more

For MANY years I have been struggling through excessive, on-going back pain. This pain prevented me from being able to perform some of my job related responsibilities as a special education teacher. Just as important it prevented me from being able to actively and meaningfully engage with my young grandchildren. Dr. Johnston accepted me as a new patient - just as I decided that I was going to submit medical retirement papers. He spent quality time with me explaining the possibilities ahead of me through his treatment plan. After just 2 months I had a reduction in pain of over 60%. I have rescinded my retirement package. I am beginning to be more active with my grandchildren!! I haven't said this in years - LIFE IS GOOD!! Thanks to Dr. Johnston and his pain management staff (especially Rachel!!) read more

UNACCEPTABLE! 4-1/2 hrs. to be seen about 20 minutes total (by 2 different people). One hour and 45 minutes sitting in a hospital gown waiting to be seen -- no magazines, my cell phone died after being in there so long, no one even came to check on me until after one hour, to tell me they are running behind and they'll be right in. 45 mins. later someone came in. Shortest assessment ever! Person doing assessment acted bored, yawned openly without even covering her mouth, barely touched the computer keys, despite asking me questions! When I called the office manager the next day to find out why it took so long, you could tell she was going by script, kept repeating herself, saying the first appt. always takes that long due to assessments! Well, if I was being assessed I wouldn't have complained -- I was left unattended about 90% of the time! There is no excuse for that. She said my doctor had to fill in for someone else who called out. Well, guess what -- MY DOCTOR should have seen me first! Then she said it was either wait or reschedule -- they never gave me the option!! Going there for pain management means I already have back pain -- sitting that long made it worse, ruined my evening, had to cancel plans I had to go to the movies -- no way could I sit in movie seats after sitting in office chair for so long! I was in pain management care in another state before moving here -- never, ever did this happen! I was assessed, questioned, talked to, etc. for the entire time I was at the appointment, by the physician! This place just has excuses! Told me they have been doing business like that for 19 years! Not sure how they stayed in business! That's the truth! read more