I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Neil Thakkar and his team. From my very first visit, the office staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and efficient. Every appointment was right on time..I never had to sit and wait, which is almost unheard of these days. Dr. Thakkar has truly exceptional bedside manner. He took the time to walk me through every option for my lower back pain, which comes from multiple bulging discs, and he made sure I fully understood each choice. What I appreciated most was that he never pushed one approach over another .. he simply educated me, supported my decisions, and made sure I felt comfortable and confident the entire way. My lumbar ablation with him was a total game changer, and I can honestly say I won't let anyone else touch my back. He's a fantastic doctor, and I'm incredibly grateful for the care I received. Highly recommend! read more

The clinic intake forms ask if the patient is experiencing numbness, tingling, stinging or shocks so you expect that they have answers, but after 4 months of return visits with no improvement from suggested solutions (meds, PT, chiropractic, TENS unit, etc.), I asked Dr. Sharma why I still had those symptoms after an RFA at a different pain clinic and in front of a residency student HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS as in "I don't know, I can't solve it, I don't care, or I don't plan to help you any further" which is an abdication of responsibility. So I went home and cried because clearly he was out of solutions! I shared that conversation with my chiropractor who suggested another pain clinic and on my 1st visit there they had a diagnosis and a transforaminal injection scheduled for 3 weeks later, which has greatly improved the issues I brought to Dr. Sharma. I had no idea that procedure existed. So I took the other clinic's pamphlet and returned to Dr. Sharma one last time (5 months with no relief so I planned this would be my last visit). When I told his assistant that Dr. Sharma had shoulder shrugged at my last visit when I asked why I still had numbness, she had a look of puzzlement. When she saw the pamphlet in my hand about the transforaminal epidural steroid injection she exclaimed, "Oh, we do that here!" So by now I'm slowly putting some puzzle pieces together, but like the dumb girl who still doesn't get it, I thought it was a teachable moment as I explained to Dr. Sharma minutes later what the procedure is and how it can help, showing him the pamphlet to which he replied, (in front of 2 residency students), "We don't do those here." Something didn't add up. When I got home I checked their website. Yup, they do them. So I called. Yup, Dr. Sharma does them. And he lied right in front of witnesses in the exam room. I recounted this story to other pain clinic doctors at my new clinic who stated that this was an abdication of duty of care since a reasonable expectation is that a pain clinic can treat the symptoms on their intake form and that their doctors will inform patients of their options and not make them endure pain unnecessarily, and not LIE to them after they describe a procedure that might help (that they actually perform but failed to offer to you). I trusted this guy. He was my 2nd opinion doc when my RFA doctor seemed like a hammer and I'm not a nail. Why accept me as a patient if you're going to make me cry in hopelessness after you shrug and make me look elsewhere for answers? WASTED TIME. Absolute failure to meet the objectives. I'll never know why he did that, but other patients have a right no know it could happen to them. But I advocated for myself, my chiropractor suggested a better clinic, and I'm fully informed and getting much better care now. read more

I had a deeply disappointing experience with Dr. Sharma. From the start, I did not feel heard or understood. I came in hoping for a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan for my chronic pain, but instead, I was met with vague responses and minimal engagement. It felt like the doctor had already made up their mind about my case before truly listening to my concerns or history. His idea of a short term plan was a toradol shot that lasts 4-6 HOURS. I have been in pain for 15 YEARS now. I do not recommend Dr. Sharma if you are looking to gain any quality of life in regards to your chronic pain. It seemed more like a routine check-the-box appointment rather than a genuine effort to help a patient in need. Chronic pain is complex and frustrating, and all I wanted was a provider who would work with me to find solutions. Unfortunately, this was not that experience. I left feeling dismissed, unheard, and no closer to any relief or answers. read more

My experience constantly having to update my contact details, multiple times, office personnel do not take ownership or accountability. This can be seen in the office manager Monica conduct. Paid 130 to be told nothing could be done and did not care I was walking out in tears, to having to walk out and immediately go to er to get treated. Monica did not listen, interrupted and announced she made the execute decision to terminate relationship after discussing if these were appropriate behaviours read more

SCAMMERS AND grifters, Begin trying to sell you stuff that you'll never need, or that is truly useful, will not return phone calls nothing but shysters I would recommend that you stay away! read more

Dr Neil Thacker and staff have been extremely helpful and kind during the transitions of my again mom. She did not want knee surgery with a previous doctor and Dr Thacker has helped her maintain her mobility. She is not active but she is mobile and want to stay independent. Everyone is friendly and understanding as I manage my mothers care. I am very thankful to him. read more

no care in my opinion The receptionist was 12 and one of the RUDEST person I have ever encountered Never never trust the so called "drs" They tried to take my insurance for Needed items such as a FSC stimulator from Zynex, I told him 3 times I had one no I had to have this one He promptly went out and told the rep that he had already prescribed 40 this week and just did another . I think he had stock in this company or is getting kick backs Be happy to explain There is more gingerfryjump@gmail.com Shawn Lee They obviously discriminated against me for having a mental illness. I must be subhuman to them because that's how I was treated They have no empathy as 98% of males do!! read more

Worst admin ever. The staff at Highland location are great, but the call center are less than helpful. Canceled a appointment due to BCBS not covering epidural injections. I was willing to pay cash( self pay) but they canceled without notice. When I went to confirm appointment I was notified of canceled appointment. I got excuses and half ass reasons. They have no empathy at call center. Patients need relief, not excuses. read more

I've been a patient for about a year and am very satisfied with how they have addressed my extreme sciatica pain, and gotten me back in to a fairly intense exercise routine. My gripe is that their billing system is substandard. My wife pays the bills and is constantly having to call in about payments that are supposedly 90 days out. She pays everything when we get it, but their system does not show you what you've paid. Only what you owe. So you get no record of payments. They have taken up to two weeks to post on their own record, so often send you a rebill for something you've already pays. Their reputation should not suffer for something that they pay someone else to handle. read more

My disappointment is not with the medical staff but the front office/manager of the AZ Pain Doctors, which in my opinion acted very unprofessional by not doing their part in getting the insurance pre-approval for my spinal injection procedure. My appointment was scheduled 10 days prior to the injection to give the front desk ample time for pre-authorization. However, on December 23, 2022 I got a call from the office cancelling my appointment due to non-receipt of the insurance approval. This cancellation was made 3 days before the injection scheduled for December 27, 2022. I then called my insurance , United Healthcare, at 11:30 on December 23, 2022 and was told that the AZ Pain Doctors did not submit 2 pieces of information required for the approval and that it could be resolved within a short phone call. The insurance representative dialed the AZ Pain Doctors while having me on hold but was told that the office had already closed for Christmas break. Because of the unprofessional conduct by the front office I now have to pay my 2023 out-of-pocket expense in which I was all caught up in 2022. I also would like to mention that I left 3 messages for the office manager asking for a call back about the situation but I am still waiting for that callback. The office staff acted unprofessionally in dealing with the scheduling and the insurance approval and absolutely in non-caring manner about me as a patient. read more

Dr. Thakkar was professional and compassionate in relieving the pain for my husband who suffered from polycystic liver disease (APLD). This disease caused much pain from an enlarged liver that had already been resected. We moved here and my husband was using a phentonyl patch. Dr. Thakkar continued his treatment plan with the goal of reducing the dosage. He was sympathetic to my husband's condition. Once my husband had a liver transplant with the enlarged liver gone he was no longer in pain, as Dr. Thakkar had said would happen based on his experience with prior APLD patients. read more

I call Dr. Thakkar The Cage Match Doctor; he is very strict with the rules, but within those rules, he has really fought for us and has saved our family. My husband has a rare disease that is described as the most painful condition in medicine. We have been to Mayo, Barrow, and Cleveland Clinic; every doctor knew what he had, but no one could help. Dr. Thakkar put together a plan that has given my husband quality of life. He takes his time and listens to what we say then he carefully considers the safest option that will have the greatest effect. His nurse Caroline is just terrific! One visit she said to me, "I'm sorry." I said, "why?" She said "because I know this is hard on you too." She is just a delight and has made herself available anytime we needed help. I recommend them without reservation!! read more

Very poor experience with Dr. Thakkar. I am 73 and love to play golf. Due to the virus shutdown I am unable to go home to Northern Nevada and I have run out of my pain pills and I can't play golf without them. I showed the Doctor my prescription for 120 pills 6/10/19 10 months. I only take the pills when I play golf, I ask for enough pills for 30 days 12, he refused and gave me 7. I wasted 3 hrs. Filling out forms, waiting, and I am sure they will bill Medicare for $200 plus. He insisted I get a MRI before I could get enough pills to last me until I go home. I have a slipped disk for the past 40 years, I know what's wrong, I don't need a MRI and I don't want to bill Medicare for something I don't need. The doctor told me that is all free, we all know it's not free, and I despise people who abuse our government programs. read more

I came to Dr. Thakkar because of a long ongoing back pain problem. At this point my experience with the Doctor has been about a year or so, looking back now with about 60-75% of my back pain alleviated, he has my utmost confidence. But let me say that with out Katherine, (the prettiest front manager around!), and Carolina Doctor's assistant, (ask for the ribeye), this would be just another office. With this team you never feel rushed, hurried or feeling you are part of a cattle call. The team really tries to find the root of your pain. They have mine. Thanks Team! read more

Dr. Thakkar and his staff are the absolute BEST. I went in to have a cervical epidural done and I was incredibly nervous. Both the Dr. and his staff did an amazing job of keeping me calm and reassuring me that it was an easy procedure...and oh my goodness, were they correct. The procedure was so easy and painless that I actually almost asked Dr. Thakkar if he was ACTUALLY doing anything when he said he was injecting me (he walked me through everything as he was doing the entire procedure, saying something along the lines of "okay, you're going to feel some pressure from the injection of the medicine right here" or "and some more pressure"). The only "pain" I felt was from the injection of the local anesthetic...and I put pain in quotations there because that didn't actually even hurt, but I could feel it and it wasn't a good feeling. But as far as ANY local anesthetic injection that I have EVER had, that was the absolute easiest one I have ever had. I barely felt it at all...it was absolutely amazing. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Thakkar and his staff. They took what I thought was going to be the worst procedure since my car accident and turned it into the easiest. I would recommend this location to anyone that decides to visit the AZ Pain Doctors Practice. I could go on and on about how much I appreciate the people at this location....but let me put it this way: I live in Gilbert and it is a 42.6 mile drive from my house to this office. That's one way. And I will happily continue to make this drive in order to see the folks at this location. 10/10 stars. I would (and already have) highly recommend to a friend. Dr. Thakkar - You are THE MAN. Huge ups to both you and your staff. Y'all are just amazing. read more

My husband was overcharged at the doctor's office when they collected for his entire visit and not just the patient responsibility after insurance. This happened over a 3 month period of time and we have overpaid by $536 per our insurance company even though our deductible was met in late March and we should only be paying a small portion. That was fine since it isn't always known if a patient's deductible has been met or not. However I called the billing department to ask for our over-payment back and I spoke with a rude, young man who told me that we would not get any of the money back until ALL of the open claims are paid (per insurance company all claims are paid and none are open). This means they have collected almost two times the negotiated rate from our insurance company, so double billed for 3 months. Apparently they have a policy of not giving patients their overpayments back until all claims are paid, so if they wait to submit claims over a period of time there is a possibility of always having an open claim if you have to go into the doctor every month. They also must not even bother communicating with the insurance company to find out the proper amount to collect at the patient visit, they just collect from the patient the whole contracted amount regardless of if that is their responsibilty. After speaking with our insurance company and the state Attorney General I was told this is fraud so I will be filing a complaint. The office manager, Michael, refuses to admit they owe us money even after my husband provided documentation from insurance company that we overpaid our portion and all open claims have been paid. Unless you like paying for insurance and having to pay doctors more than the contracted amount they agree upon with the insurance company I would stay away from these thieves. read more

I really believe this place may be great for some people, but for those of us with rare genetic disabilities with a multitude of cormobidities, its a big NO. I do not want to be sold CBD, or THC...I do not want injections when it has been proven it would not work for me. I do not need to be threatened about the amount of pills I am taking or not taking. 1 pill not 3-4 as Thakker kept repeating is a huge difference...he was not listening, he was teaching his student Doctors how to not listen and cut down other Physicians that have been practicing medicine, longer then he has been alive. To write a paper on pain Dr. is extremely different then to live with it. Your wife may have HMS, but do the research its progressively worse as we age and have trauma in our lives. I am not in my 20's anymore.Your mother may be a Dr. and have chronic pain, but I am not your mother. Pain is different for everyone. As far as Barre exercises, at 62, Ballet would be a hoot for the normal person leave alone someone like me.. I think I will sell tickets to my first class and make a viral video, just to pay for the first consult with Mr. Thakker. No plan was set in place, no guidelines or help, his last comment was call me when your out of medicine and we can figure it out...WOW Welcome to Pain Clinic world. read more