Testimonials
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-PMIR Community Relations TeamRead more pain stories from our very own patients at My Pain Story.
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-Todd Riddell“My wife read about a seminar on pain management at Pharmaca drug store. We attended along with about a dozen other people. Dr. Hersel presented a one hour program on the various conditions that can cause back pain, the cycle of persistent pain and the remedies available. We were both impressed with Dr. Hersel’s demeanor and level of expertise. This being my first exposure to a pain management practitioner in this area, I researched other providers and ultimately narrowed the choice to two, Dr. Hersel and one other. The other provider does not accept medicare patients. I made an appointment with Dr. Hersel for my low back pain. The imaging center is right across from the office so getting the mri and xrays was very convenient. At the consultation appointment Dr. Hersel explained in detail the imaging results and proposed a treatment consisting of two epidural injections two weeks apart. The next week I appeared for the procedure at the surgery center with a locked neck. I hadn’t slept in a bed for two nights and there was no position I could find that was not painful. Although this was not a part of the proposed treatment, Dr. Hersel was very concerned and compassionate. During the preparation for the epidural, Dr. Hersel arranged for the needed mri for my neck for that day and had a prescription for pain medication ready for me when I left. I also had an appointment by phone within a day for a cervical epidural the next week. The pain medication got me through the mri and allowed me to sleep in bed. I’ve just received the cervical epidural and am extremely pleased with the results. I am so happy to have found Dr. Hersel and his staff at the PMIR clinic. Every interaction has been extremely positive, even when I complicated the treatment flow with my locked neck. Many practitioners would have treated the “chief complaint” and not addressed the neck problem at that time. There has been no problem with insurance, either. My experience has been entirely positive and Dr. Hersel and his staff have exceeded all expectations.”
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-Geena Bigelow, Ventura, CA“I have been a patient of Dr. Hersel for more than 5 years. During that time, Dr. Hersel has been one of the most gracious, understanding, and patient doctors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He has worked very hard to determine the precise source of my chronic back pain and diligently sought to relieve it. Dr. Hersel’s apparent level of knowledge and expertise regarding my significant back situation is beyond reproach. He really makes you, the patient, feel like he cares about you and wants to help you and does in fact help. I suffer from chronic lower back pain that is, at times, unbearable from a motor vehicle accident. Ive been through several procedures over the years. After each one, I’ve found significant relief. I have a pinched nerve and issues with disks in my lower back and neck. I will forever be grateful for Dr. Hersel and the other doctors at PMIR. You’re truly are a wonderful doctor and person. Thank you so much Dr. Hersel for your continued help and kindness.”
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-Lucy Kiuhan“I have known Dr. Bradley Spiegel since 2010. I was referred by Dr. Spayde because I was having terrible back pain and I had two herniated discs. The pain was not giving me a quality life. He did three epidurals, and he was my God sent angel. No more pain for the past two years. Last month, I came in with a terrible pain in my cervical area and again, I went to see him. He did three epidurals and now the pain is gone. I have never met a doctor so kind, loving, sweet, professional, and most of all, so compassionate that he could conquer the world! God bless you Dr. Spiegel for giving all the people out there relief from their pain. P.S. Dr. Spiegel’s staff are the most loving and attentive sweethearts. I love every one of them. Thank you for being what you are! Forever grateful, your friend…”
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-M. M., Simi Valley, CA“Dr. Hersel, I wanted to take a minute to express my most sincere satisfaction and gratitude with you, your associates and your staff. I have been suffering with chronic back pain for years now; in fact, I don’t remember life without it. I have been through multiple therapies and surgery. The one thing that I think is important to note and something that most physicians forget to realize is that the mental challenges that come along with chronic pain can almost be as devastating as the physical pain itself. After receiving the news that my previous pain management doctor was entering retirement, I contacted your Simi Valley office. Linda made every possible effort to get me into the office as soon as possible. I thought that my first visit to the office was unusual in that, every one was so friendly and compassionate as I was not used to this type of service in the medical industry. My consultation with Dr. Okhavat went well and he immediately offered advice and alternate therapies to what I had been exposed to previously. After my first visit and on to the next, your staff just continued to impress me with their friendliness, efficiency and empathy. A couple of weeks ago, I came to see you for my first lumbar epidural and I have to admit, I was terrified of the idea of a needle coming so close to my spinal chord. You immediately put me at ease with you kindness, compassion and professionalism. You and Dr. Spiegel should be commended for your professionalism and your amazing personalities in general. Its clear that you all understand what we that have chronic pain go through on a day to day basis. The constant pain and depression that comes with it can bring life to a screeching halt. I just wanted to thank you for building a practice that can empathize with your patients. Your team has made me feel like I’ve been a client for years and I hope that I can continue my therapy with all of you. Please give my warmest regards to Dr. Okhavat and the Simi Valley staff as they have gone above and beyond to see that I’m well taken care of. Thanks again!”
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-John Gutting, Los Angeles, CA“Dr. Okhovat was very thorough. He requested x-rays of my hip and back before treatment. He prescribed pain medication, explaining the side-effects, among them constipation. The medication really helped relieve the pain. He also discovered another problem on my spine and referred a spine specialist. I am very grateful to Dr. Okhovat.”
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-Doris“I am a 49-year-old woman who has had some pretty major medical issues in the last couple of years. I have been referred to many Neurologists and Pain Management Specialists in the Santa Monica/Westside area before finding Dr. Okhovat.
I was becoming just another number in many doctor offices waiting room, waiting most of the time between 30 minutes to over an hour. We all know how that is. Well that’s not how it is at Dr. Okhovat’s office. All the staff knows you by name. They call you the day before your appointment to remind you and don’t rush you off the phone. They actually see how you are doing and write down anything they think the doctor should know in addition to your visit, just from your conversation. In a doctor’s office, the staff is nearly as important as the doctor. The front desk staff makes you feel like there is actually someone out there that cares about you.
Leaving my last visit, I was just chatting waiting to make another appointment. I happened to mention this little heat rash that popped up on my face. Instead of brushing me off, Karla told me she had a little rash like that once before and Karla, Daisy and Sonia suggested this over the counter cream (even printed out the photograph of the cream for me). Needless to say in two days, the little heat rash was gone thanks to their suggestion. A little free advice saved me from a $100 bill at the dermatologist.
I am never rushed and I have never waited longer than 10 minutes in the waiting room. Dr. Okhovat is probably the most caring doctor I have ever seen. He has sent me to the best surgeon to have my knee operation. Dr. Okhovat made sure I had everything I needed before and after the operation. Dr. Okhovat is a doctor that actually spends time searching for ways to help you. He will suggest, as well as his care, to try alternative things like acupuncture and then will give you the number to the one that he would go and see, not just a list of some random places. He really has a huge heart and cares so much for his patients. You are never ever rushed. He’s almost like a throw back to the doctors in the 50′s that knew your children and asked how they were all by name. It’s care like it used to be, not a number in a waiting room and a check in his bank. I know that sounds crude saying it like that, but I have been sick for a couple of years. I have seen some pretty horrible doctors before finding Dr. Okhovat. When you find a professional and a doctor with real integrity, you just want others to know what that’s like, because you know what it’s like to not feel well. I could give you a list of Neurologists or Pain Management Doctors not to see, but I can only give you the name of one doctor you should go and see and that is Dr. Okhovat. Good luck, and wishing you health and happiness.”
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-Ronni Runes“I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Dr. Hersel, or lavish enough praise for one of the finest doctors I have ever come across. A nightmarish odyssey with a difficult cervical spine fusion was so debilitating it left me unable to work or function normally. As a result I tried a variety of treatments, saw numerous doctors and was on a tremendous amount of pain medication. I ultimately had a spinal cord stimulator implanted by another doctor who, to put it mildly, made the initial problem far worse. At that point I was in total despair and frankly did not know where to turn. I feel completely blessed to have found Dr. Hersel, and while it may sound corny, he honestly turned my life around. Dr. Hersel did a repair and revision of the spinal cord stimulator and due to his expertise and skilled surgical skills I was able to get the pain relief initially promised as a benefit of the stimulator.
Dr. Hersel is progressive and clearly up on current innovations within his field, however, I would describe him as a bit of a throw back to old fashioned medical practitioners when it comes to taking time to truly get to know his patients. He is so caring, treating the whole person rather than just the site of the pain, and earnestly appears to take pride in helping his patients. In short, he is the ideal when I think of “bedside manner.” I truly feel fortunate to have found Dr. Hersel and the entire PMIR staff. The office is pristine and well run by an extremely friendly and helpful staff. It is my pleasure to wholeheartedly recommend this phenomenal doctor and superior medical practice.”
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-Eileen“Six months ago I was in such horrific pain that I thought nothing and nobody could help me, BUT I was wrong. I found Dr. Nguyen and my prayers were answered. He’s been just wonderful and I feel wonderful with the help he has given me. I just want to say thank you Dr. Nguyen!!”
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-L.O., Pacific Palisades, CA“During my third year of law school I threw my back out. Unbeknownst to mee, I actually herniated several discs, a diagnosis I would receive months after the trauma. For approximately one year, I endured dozens of scans, injections, and medications. Before meeting Dr. Okhovat, I had consultations with two doctors who wanted to repeat the month old scans and try a new regimen. By ‘new,’ I mean things I had tried and disposed of. To me, it felt like starting an overwhelming process anew — the time, expense, the pain of being a guinea pig compelled me to seek another doctor. Dr. Okhovat knew how to strike a balance between innovative treatment alongside that which had been tested and worked. He listened and did not question my perception of pain. Dr. Okhovat was a life saver.”
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-Lauren Merril, Marina del Rey, CA“Thank you for the excellent care you have given me! At PMIR, there is little to no wait time, excellent follow-up, and Dr. Okhovat is very thorough and caring. I never felt rushed, and appreciated the time and attention the staff has given me at every visit. I would recommend this team of professionals to anyone experiencing pain. Thanks again!”