I am overweight and have a herniated disc. I cannot stand or walk without extreme sharp pain running down my leg, because it is pressing on a nerve. The doctor asked me "Have you ever heard of BMI?" and then told me that my BMI was too high for surgery. He referred me to PT and the "pain management clinic" that they are affiliated with somehow to receive a cortisone shot. He did not offer any medication for the intense nerve pain. I went to my family doctor in tears from the pain several days later, and she prescribed nerve pain meds that have helped me a little. The cortisone shot did not work and after trying to get some kind of help--ANY HELP--with the pain, the Brain and Spine Center cancelled my follow up and referred me back to the pain clinic, dumping me as a patient because my weight makes me "not a surgical candidate." The pain clinic set up an appointment weeks away and seems completely uninterested in the fact that, for the past 5 weeks, I have been unable to walk or stand without pain and can't sleep or function normally. This has been a nightmare experience and this doctor's office has not helped, but made it worse. I ended up driving to Arlington to see a neurosurgeon who has many awards and recognition and who did not mention my weight when discussing my options (which include surgery). I do not consider surgery to remove part of a disc that is pressing on a nerve - when the patient cannot stand or walk normally without intense pain - as ELECTIVE. (see photo) I don't recommend these people AT ALL. read more

Virginia Brain Spine Center - When dumping me as a patient, they offered to send "BMI information" which included this. - Neurologist Near Me - Winchester, Virginia

Dr. Shopick is an amazing surgeon. He is honest, straight-forward and does excellent work. After my surgery I was pain free and was able to walk and do things I could not prior to the procedure. I highly recommend Virginia Brain & Spine. read more

I've been to several specialists for my back issues. I have degenerative disc disease and currently have 8 bulging and degenerating discs. I literally couldn't stand or walk without a cane and I'm 19 years old. When the doctor came in during both appointments, he came in assuming I wasn't in pain because of my age. At my second appointment he even completely forgot all of my information and basically started asking me questions from scratch again. He then called me a liar for saying I had trouble finding somewhere to do PT that took my insurance. The support staff is extremely rude as well and seem to act like they're better than you. By far the worst experience I've had with a doctor or doctors office. I wouldn't recommend this place to ANYONE. read more

My mother has been trying to 1 - get an appointment with a second surgeon in the group and 2 - have her medical records transferred to another group FOR OVER 1 MONTH. Very poor customer service and not following Virginia law or guidelines per HHS which states records must be provided within 30 days. HHS also says "The 30 calendar days is an outer limit and covered entities are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Indeed, a covered entity may have the capacity to provide individuals with almost instantaneous or very prompt electronic access to the PHI requested through personal health records, web portals, or similar electronic means. Further, individuals may reasonably expect a covered entity to be able to respond in a much faster timeframe when the covered entity is using health information technology in its day to day operations". Would love to see a reply from the office since they NEVER ANSWER THEIR PHONE even for the other physician office. Beware you may never get a hold of anyone to help you. read more

Dr Salvetti did a wonderful job on my back. Prior to surgery I had extreme pain and could walk sleep or sit very well. I'm now 6 weeks post surgery and I feel great. 85% better than I did prior. I would recommend this practice and Dr Salvetti to anyone! read more

The atmosphere is highly toxic, all of the staff have an attitude. The surgeon came in with a negative game plan before we even spoke. I have 2 bulging discs from a lifting injury 3 months ago including a compression fracture and a SPINE SURGEON Dr. S, NEVER asked me my job title or job description and told me that I can go back without accommodations... I then told him that I load trucks on 10 hour shifts, lifting weight 50-75 lbs and walking up steps with that weight... I continued to say "so you're telling me I can go do that and I won't hurt myself that I'm the same as anyone else" HE REPLIES " anyone can get hurt, you can walk out of this office and get hit by a car".... I now have to quit my job because he signed papers saying I'm as good as new when I haven't even started treatment yet. read more

It's a shame, but the "referral specialist" in this practice seems to be the main cause of their negative reviews, including mine. Ridiculous. These doctors see whom she deems fit. Even if you meet all of the bogus requirements, you won't get in unless she wants you to. Go ahead and try... maybe you'll catch her on a good day. read more

I had a disc herniation at L5-S1. Dr Selznick performed a laminectomy / discectomy. I went home same day & was walking that evening. I only missed 2 weeks of work (office environment). My leg pain (sciatica) was relieved immediately. My recovery was uneventful. The people at VA Brain & Spine were wonderful to me. They helped me navigate all the insurance approvals & were on time for appointments - short wait times. I definitely recommend Dr. Selznick & VA Brain & Spine. read more

Knowledgeable staff. Took a bit to get my first appointment, but it is worth it. I've had to wait on Doctors before, but I went back on time with all my appointments. I usually don't mind waiting anyway. ( If I want a doctor to take the time with me, then I would hope they would take the time with other patients) They discuss things with you and it's a matter of fact. No beating around the bush and I appreciate that. I was scared to find a local Doctor (I'm from the Harrisonburg area and my Neurosurgeon is in NC. I needed someone closer), but I knew within 5 minutes of meeting Dr.Chadduck that I could have a good Doc/pt relationship with him. I also appreciate that he encourages me at every visit and always tells me here's there if I need him. read more

My experience with this office and Dr Ashcroft was terrible! My appointment started off 2 to 2 1/2 hours late, no reason or apology given. When the Dr finally came in, I felt that he was not all that interested in my pain issues, as a matter of fact, he dismissed 2 of my pain areas. Stated that my Ortho could deal with them. He seemed to be very distracted during my appointment and I had to repeat my answers several times to him. The office never received my records from my other Pain Management group, so according to him, he could not set up a plan or really address any of my issues. I gave the office all the info for contacting my former pain management Dr and even offered to contact her for them. The Dr stated he would call me once he reviewed my records, that was Dec 9th, 2018, well it is now January 6th, 2019 and still no call back. I would NEVER recommend this Dr to anyone. It was a complete waste of my time and did nothing to help relieve my issues Thanks for nothing Virginia Brain and Spine !!!! If I could have given you a negative star rating I would have read more

The team is terrific. I was explained my condition in detail I've never heard in my 20 hours with bad discs in my back. They shied away from surgery because they put my health before their personal gain. The pain management team, in my case Brian Lapp and Shantel Lane, reply so quickly I feel I have them on retainer. I HIGHLY recommend! I see two very old negative reviews here and while the content may have been true for them it is surely people expressing very, very RARE occurrences. Go see these people and get rid of your pain. read more

Can't even get in to see this doctor because of the hurdles set up at the receptionist. They might as well put a recording on the phone giving the information needed. If they had told me everything the first time I called, I could have taken care of everything at one time, but each time I call they add something else. I don't feel this doctor is interested in helping people in crippling pain, he simply wants to make sure he will be able to bill the insurance company for a quick surgery with no more time spent with the patient than he has to. Totally frustrated and still in major, debilitating pain. read more

First of all I am a patient and my round trip back and forth is about 3 hours. I would drive 30 hours to see these doctors. My first surgery was scary, because I am a female hemophilia A, I am missing factor 8. So I did my research on Dr. Selznick and found out he knew more than any surgeon and he was top of his class. Which means he is very smart. I didn't just want anybody to do my surgery, I had to have the best of the best and that is why I chose him. Now he and the pain management is working with my back. My insurance requires pain management first, or they won't pay. Pain management Dr.Pao is awesome!(I hope I spell it right). Yes sometimes you have to wait, but they probably had a emergency in the ER or one of there patients in the hospital needed him. Switch places if you needed a neurosurgeon in the E.R., and your life depended on that surgeon. What do you want him to say, oh sorry I can't help you I have to go to my office because I have some impatience PATIENTS who don't understand. Don't think so, if that's the case I surly don't want them, not if my life depend on it.. They live at the hospital to help people, I know I work in the hospital for years and some of them doctors don't even see there families for days. I wouldn't take a radiologist report over my surgeons report anyday. Oh heck no, no way! Surgeons who specialize goes to school a lot longer than any other physician and they keep going to school they don't just graduate, they have to keep update on new medical procedures, and policies, etc to much to list!, How do I know? My sister went for 16 years and hasn't stop going. You want your surgeon to know what he is doing, don't you? And as far as the girls in the reception area, you think all they do is sit there and smile all day. You try it, you wouldn't last 2 hours. Especially when a patient gets outrage and takes there bad day they brought with them out on them. they have a lot of responsibility, who do you think does all that scheduling, for your test, your surgery and trying to make it the date that suits you, calls your insurance and hell of a lot more. Get off the girls! they do a dam good job and especially hearing your bull. The nurses are the best, they care about you and they smile. So take a book with you and if you are in pain you really won't be complaining so much because you would be hurting to bad to do so. So, you got something bad to say, think first! before you start complaining, yes you hurt, but maybe you have been cater to alittle too much, stop being so selfish, there are other people in this world who are worst off than you. read more

Dr. Selznick made me wait 2 hours. Yes, 2 solid hours. He was cold and short when telling me that my 2 radiologist reports were wrong. "I am the expert. I would bet my license..." He actually said he would bet his license that he was right... And 3 other doctors were wrong. He completely blew me off and tried to send me to pain management. I was refered to him by my family doctor that told me I needed surgery or a biopsy. And that I need to see him ASAP. I went to him looking for a solution but instead I left in tears. Very upsetting to be treated so awful and waste 2 hours of my time... Not to mention the 45 min one way drive and gas money. Complete waste. read more

Referred to them by the primary care physician - called 4 times to schedule an appointment and was never called back. You have to schedule with a particular person so it's not as easy as calling reception. Received an appointment time after a month. Arrived for the appointment - waited a good 30 minutes or so. The intake nurse and nurse practitioner asked a few questions. Waited another 20 minutes or so . The doctor arrived and did not examine me - spent less than 5 minutes with me and referred me to physical therapy based on one CT (which he disagreed with). The comprehensive consultation cost 250.00. read more

As requested by this office, my PCP sent over a referral, imaging results and medical records; I have left 5 messages with this office within the past 3 weeks and they have proven their poor professional and ethical standards by NOT returning my calls to set up an appointment. I have several disc herniations, flattening of the spinal cord, spinal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. A return phone call would have been appreciated, seeing as I need a medical professional to provide care for my condition. Doctors, nurses and office staff need to ask themselves this question, "Would they appreciate such abhorrent behavior displayed towards their personal or their families health care."; I guarantee you the answer is NO! To experience pain on a daily basis that interferes with your productivity and activity, is physically and emotionally exhausting and to reach out to medical professionals who are "there to help" and receive silence in return, leaves one feeling helpless and lost. The people in this office should be ashamed and embarrassed, maybe one day someone will treat you the way you have treated others and maybe then, you will developed a sense of compassion. Please don't respond to my review by asking me to call to speak with someone because calling this office, is highly ineffective. read more