He's the best! I've seen him for years and he's helped manage my pain. Always caring and compassionate. He listens to my concerns and answers all my questions read more

I had a terrible interaction with his assistant Eduardo. I have been trying to schedule my epidural with Dr. Huston, however Eduardo repeatedly missed setting my appointment up and forgot to schedule the epidural - and it has been four months since my injury and no avail in relief. Please do something about this guy who is creating unnecessary pain. read more

Huston should not be a Dr. He should be an X-ray reader. He doesn't like patient care, Physical exams and has no compassion for patients in extreme pain. Do not allow yourself yo be in the same room with him. read more

Without going into major details, I'll just say that Dr Huston is rude, cold, talks down to you, constantly interrupts you and is very arrogant. My parents can't stand him any longer, and are very stressed out. Enough is enough. We're done with him and with TOCA. Never again with this arrogant jackass who needs to take a course in Bedside Manner & Empathy 101. Adios!!!! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this egomaniac...far, far away. UPDATE: I did find another ortho who was able to see my parents right away. They were treated with kindness, empathy and respect. What a difference a new doctor can make! read more

I have been coming here for over 2 years and the doctor is great, but ALWAYS late. Today I waited over a hour and a half and still had no idea how long it would be so I am leaving. I would not pay your co-pay until you are physically being walked back to the room it is another nightmare getting that refunded. I have had this happen multiple times, and have given them chances, but no more. They need to figure out their scheduling issues, always a waiting room of people irritated because of the wait time. read more

Went to see him because I could get an appointment quickly. I felt like a piece of meat at TOCA. They rushed me through as fast as possible. I didn't even finish filling out all my forms before they whisked me away to take x-rays. Other reviews are correct, Huston is condescending and doesn't give a sh*t about you. Its a waste of your time and money to see him. He looked at my xrays and said "we can't see anything from these. you're back will hurt for 2-3 more months." I asked him if there was any other way to figure out what is wrong and whether or not my issue was a muscle, nerve, disk etc... and he just repeated to me "you're back will hurt for 2-3 months". I told him I had some long international flights coming up and since sitting is very painful if there was anything he could do to help me. He said, "Its just a bad time for you to fly". He told me to take advil and go to PT to learn how to stand and sit properly. Again, don't waste your time. The guy never asked what I did for a living, how I hurt my back, what makes it better. He was keen to get me in and out as fast as possible and to be unhelpful. read more

I love Dr. Huston and he has done a great job in relieving my lower back pain in the past. I find that he he has a cute warm smile and nice quiet personality. UNFORTUNATELY...What I DON'T LIKE is that TOCA has become so BIG that you get lost in the shuffle. No one knows what is going on and you just have to hope and pray that you get someone good who knows what they are doing when they answer the phone. Pray hard... My last series of lower back injections was just a couple months ago. Instead of Dr. Huston performing the injections in my spine, he had someone else do it. I believe it was an intern...maybe??? I DON'T KNOW... Neither doctor bothered to inform me what was going on. Besides being in pain, I was a nervous wreck wondering who this guy was that was injecting so many needles into my back! Several times previously, I was given injections so I wouldn't be so anxious... BUT this time, no one bothered...nothing was ever mentioned. I was a mess during and after it was all done!!! So, two weeks later I am at TOCA for my mandatory check-up after the injections. After WAITING A VERY LONG TIME, Jaime, his assistant entered the room to observe my progress. She said she would refer me for more injections and they would get back to me after insurance approval. Three weeks later, I called to find the status... only to learn that Jaime never passed on the information! AND, they want me to come back to see Dr. Huston before they can authorize that procedure!!! Isn't that why I had the two week check up??? AND, This is the SECOND TIME this has happened;. Same identical scenario. You would have thought that I would have learned after the first time a couple years ago!. OH, and after 6 WEEKS of badgering them to find out what happened to new referrals I kept having the doctor's office send over... someone finally went back into their system far enough and found the original order! 6 WEEKS PRIOR...go figure! ONE more thing.... their PHYSICAL THERAPY on Mill St. is a JOKE...but it isn't funny! Heather is more worried about the athletes they sponsor than their patients that are in pain and need of rehab. I actually walked out on my last session last week under her care and NO ONE NOTICED!!! That was after they wouldn't listen to my valid concerns and caused more damage than I started with. So much for all those visits... just save your time and money! Go somewhere else where they really care and you will get more personalized treatment. Unless you are an athlete...and not looking for rehab... then you can go there... Sure hope this helps the next person... I know I feel a lot better now!!! Have a great day and DO NOT go to TOCA for your orthopedic needs... You will be better off in the long run. I am now looking for a NEW DOCTOR after 5+ years. AND, NO...i AM NOT GOING BACK...NEVER EVER!!! read more

At first I thought this spine doctor/pain management doctor was having a bad or long day on my first visit. He was very cold, arrogant and disinterested. I have a very sore, bad , aching back from injuries caused by a fall. Of course he says my back is "unremarkable" and I don't need surgery which I never purported I did. He has awful bedside manner and generally a bitter disposition overall. The second time I came in it was supposed to be a follow up, but I wanted to let him know my lumbar part of my back was really really hurting. So he examined it quickly and actually wrote and order for an MRI. That's the best thing that came out of this appointment. Once again, he was condescending, arrogant, rude and overall unpleasant. I highly suggest not going to see this particular doctor if you have back issues. There are plenty of doctors here. After my two experiences, I finally did a search...hah! Very low ratings and a few stories mimic mine. http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/894413/Dr-Christopher+W.-Huston-PHOENIX-AZ.html http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-christopher-huston-x2c4y/patient-ratings read more

I agree with most everyone - he is everything the other reviewers have said - rude - arrogant - condescending. Many other medical professionals in Phoenix, who know him (even others at TOCA), think the same about him. Not sure why TOCA keeps him - he drives away many people from the group. He used remarkable with me as well - after xrays, mri's, sen dme to PT - 2 sets of $20,000 shots - he couldn't figure out what was wrong with me - said he couldn't help even though I was in extreme pain. Sent me on his way without suggesting ideas or others to see. I would highly recommend "no one" ever see him. read more

Will not come back!!! I absolutely detest doctors who have no clue what it is like to not have adequate insurance due to no fault of mine!! And then he say there saying I was not listening. Whatever!! read more

Saw him for neck problem. Told me insurance would not do cover before I did PT (also owned by TOCA). Not true. Also gave me sample meds which of course some company then kept calling to sell me more. Further I'm small and cannot take 800 mg of Ibuprofen. Plus never told me what this could do to my stomach. Luckily another md did. I should have asked questions like I normally do. Did explain my problem well though read more

I initially saw another doctor in his office that was treating me for a shoulder injury and he wanted me to see Dr. Huston to rule out if the pain was coming from my neck or not. My husband was present during appointment and Dr. Huston came in to "start" the neck injections which scared me has it was never discussed. He literally started backing out of the room when I didn't want to do the injections (which turned out I didn't need as it was not a neck injury). He would not answer any questions we had. And left the room. read more

Stuck again at TOCA, the same organization that, through their own negligence, cost me full use of my right arm. Fast forward 6 years. This time instead of leaving me disabled, they're just refusing to ever fill out work status reports in a timely manner. Hi, poor person here, can't afford to wait 10 business days for you to tell my employer I can return to work. I don't get paid to wait on lazy fat sows who don't want to hold a pen to paper long enough to return to work on X day. Can't afford to wait 10 business days for work accommodations that prevent me from having to further injure myself when I do return to work. Add to that 2.5 minute Dr visits where they literally stand with their hand on the door know and look at their watch while you tell them what's wrong. Stay away if you value your time and job, let alone your health. read more

Worst doctor I've ever seen in my life. This guy treats you like a baby and tells you how you are supposed to feel. So arrogant and ice cold with you. Discharged me without telling me only to come to find out from the commission I had no longer had any care available. (Work related injury) I seen him in the spring of 2014. I tried to change docs before hand but was discharged. He literally argues with you and raises his voice. I'm not making this up go see for yourself if you don't believe me. As you can see from other reviews I'm not the only one. I've re injured my back again so I'm definitely taking a different route this time. TOCA is definitively a good place but for when it comes to backs, this guy is terrible. STAY AWAY!!! read more

It's pretty amazing but I saw Dr. Huston about a year ago and thought him to be rude, arrogant and condescending. His hubris knew no bounds. I didn't want to take any x-rays but was forced to do so, after telling him that I had X-rays and nothing would show up. Given the extent and general agreement of the reviews here, I wonder how this idiot stays on the staff of any reputable medical association. Find someone willing to collaborate with you on any decision-making regarding your own treatment. After all, it is your body... read more

I don't even want to give this "Doctor" even one star. Terrible waste of time and money. Cold, rude, and condescending.

Dr. Huston, is the most arrogant, pathological liar. Saw him for workman's comp. He did an X-ray in his office, and have to admit he was very thorough reviewing it to me. It showed I had narrowing in my lumbar and some bones that were rubbing together. This was from a major fall @ work. He decided therapy would be the solution. After 4 weeks of therapy things got worse than better, then he decided to falsify his report, by saying my injury was normal as you get older, and the physicality of my job. He closed my case out and told me there was no reason for me not to go back to work, with any restrictions. read more

Spent $2000 on a series of injections with no positive no positive results at all. I really felt like it was a factory of robots getting you in and out as fast as possible with no compassion, listening or real medical mind sets. They've over stayed their reputation as the best in Phoenix. read more

Wow, I was very surprised to see a 2 star rating for Dr. Houston. He has done 2 procedures on me and has been excellent in every way. I am very grateful for the pain relief he has brought to me, and for the courteous staff that works for him. I highly recommend Dr. Houston and TOCA to anyone who has back or neck issues. read more

Dr. Huston is excellent and knowledgeable. He always listens, explains what the issue is, shows you using images what and where the problem is, and then he will give you options. He will get other images to see different sides to your issue and make sure you have all the images necessary for him to make an assessment of what your issue is so that he can give you the correct diagnosis. He is open to work with you. His bedside manners are excellent and knows what needs to be done. He will check you again every time you go to him. He likes that you work with him and follow what he thinks is best once you both have agreed to his orders. His nurse, Lori makes a great team with him. She also listens and relays to him your concerns or questions. Dr. Huston has a sense of humor that is great. He is honest and caring and so is Lori. The front staff are also very good and friendly. I hadn't been to him for a few years which is great because he took care of the prior disk problem. I had to return to him because of a new problem. I returned to Dr. Huston because I trust him and know he is very skilled as well as is Lori. My only problem with TOCA is not Dr. Huston or Lori or the staff, it is the new survey you get. I noticed that they were very concerned that I did not have to wait long. I told Lori that for Huston I will wait as long as I need to because I know that if he is taking long it's that he is doing his job and spending time with the patient that he believes is necessary for the patient to get the best service from them. I didn't wait long at all, but I believe that if you want expert knowledge, great treatment and diagnosis, and want your questions answered and discuss what is necessary and be checked thoroughly, then you should be willing to wait for your dr. and nurse as long as it takes for them to do the job right. They should not feel pressured by how long they take, you are paying and going so that you can get the best care and attention from your doctor and your nurse. I believe that Dr. Huston and Lori have always taken the time that they believe is necessary to give you the best care. When I go I always ask to see Dr. Huston and Lori. He is a great teacher as I have seen him training his assistants. I recommend Dr. Huston and his staff at the Scottsdale office where I have been without hesitation and with confidence. He is the best and his partner Lori is also the best. The other staff is just as nice, I just have a preference for Dr. Huston and Lori because of my positive experience with them. read more

My son broke his wrist. He has mild autism and the staff was so great with him! Dr. Vella was amazing from the start! He made my son comfortable before and after surgery! I have never had a bad experience here. I guess the people who did had too high expectations and must have been in a bad mood before they entered the door. I've been to a lot of surgeons and this place is by far the best! I'm so sorry people had a bad experience! If I ever need surgery I am going to see Dr. Vella! I loved the guys who put my sons cast on! They had a great sense of humor and made my sons casting experience fun! read more

Our situation was that we needed to find a doctor for a same day appointment, without a referral from another doctor. We found the TOCA clinic and Dr. Huston in the phone book. The clinic got us in that very morning, told us the appointment would cost $175 with additional costs likely. Having read the YELP reviews for this doctor we figured our experience would be poor but we needed to see someone that day. Much to our surprise, we found Dr. Huston to be a carrying doctor, who listened well and gave us some great direction . We would see him again and we would recommend him to others.At the end of our appointment, we were refunded money back from the $175. We were empowered by our appointment with Dr. Huston. read more

I had a series of 3 spinal injections w no pain relief. Why? Because dr Houston misdiagnosed me. This TOCA group is supposed to be a sports medicine group. If that was the case then he should have had no problem diagnosing this run, tennis player, over all athlete who has never stretched in his life with a negative MRI with periformis syndrome! I suffered for over a YEAR while he gladly wrote pain medicine scripts. Fortunately for me my CPA brother in law diagnosed me and showed me some extremely effective stretches. This is condition which is classic in triathletes not that I was ever examined because I doubt that pays as we'll. overall feeling like bad practice. And yes he's got a terribly arrogant bedside manner and clearly doesn't evaluate his patients adequately. read more

2nd appt. serious back paMade for dr. Got NP. No doc. Had lumbar laminectomy years ago. Other orthopaedic surgeries. NP treated me like a dumb kid. Ignored my - informed & experienced - comments. Unable to intelligently discuss side effects of drugs (can cause hypertension for which I'm already being treated), argued with me about physical therapy. Took x-rays. Can't remember last time I had them & doc didn't review them with me. read more

The reviews you see here are spot on. Christpher Huston is extremely uncaring and condescending towards his patients. He could care less that you are in pain, or the fact that his office runs an hour late for every appointment. His specialty is advising you to see a different doctor as he is not smart enough to diagnose your issue. Avoid this clown at all costs. read more

I am currently sitting in the waiting room. My apt was at 4:45 and it is now 5:55. Last time I came here a month ago, it was the same story. Over hour wait just to see the doctor. read more

Huston in my opinion is condescending, and needs to work on his time management. Two different appointments, both times I waited over 45 minutes in the patient room. I am moving on from Huston. read more

Very disappointed. When my back injury didn't heal with physical therapy within his time frame, I was told he couldn't do anything more for me. He is apparently fine with giving up on his patients. read more

I've had back problems for over 40 years and had a spinal fusion 30 plus years ago. There is an old saying, once a bad back always a bad back. I think some back pain sufferers have unrealistic expectations. Dr. Huston has treated my back off and on for about 6 years now. Most recently two spinal blocks were a big help. Contrary to other reviews I just read I find him to be a skilled doctor and his bedside manner and general demeanor are sound and professional. He's got my recommendation as does the TOCA practice as I have other doctors there too. read more

I waited to see Dr. Houston for over more than an hour and a half. Upon his arrival I was dismayed to hear his complaint about the credentials of the last doctor I saw. He then jumped to several incorrect conclusions and did not listen to what I was trying to tell him. He professed about his 20 plus years of experience and told me he understood everything about my condition, which was totally incorrect. He also said he had been talking to me for a half hour which was untrue as I had noted when he came into the room about 13 minutes earlier. I thought that maybe I was among those who believed he had just been having a bad day but his bedside manner is that of a crocodile. He left me with nothing of medical value and I will be back trying to find a professional who can help me with my diagnosed stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, back, and leg pain.. read more

spends more time reading charts in the room with you then doing a proper exam. Rude staff! Asked wife if she spoke English.. she is native American.. I think a walk in clinic would have been better. Glorified sports medicine doctor. read more

I was referred to TOCA for lower back right hip pain. I was initially seen by one physician in the office who immediately recommended I see Dr Huston the back specialist. An appt was scheduled three weeks later. Being in the medical profession myself and dealing with physicians daily I found Dr Huston to be extremely arrogant throughout the exam. I felt he rushed through the exam and essentially told me "I don't treat hips" you need to see someone else. So after two visits to insurance claims and $40.00 in co-pays and no further ahead with my pain. Will be seeking another orthopedic group/specialist preferably in Boston. read more

Unlike what I have read I have not found Dr. Huston rude. He is to the point but I prefer to the point, no fluff. Will rewrite review in two months to update his effectiveness. read more

I had a great experience in the office and with the doctor. When I arrived I was greeted by the staff who thanked me for completing my new patient paperwork prior to my appointment. They did ask me to complete one additional for specifically for Dr Huston. I didn't even get sit down before they called me back to a room. I was only in a room maybe 5 minutes before Dr Huston came in to see me. He did a complete exam. What I respected most was that he, unlike a lot of physicians, was that he asked what I wanted to do after presenting sll the options to me. I would definitely recommend him to anyone needing a spine specialist. read more

I saw Dr. Huston a few years ago with neck pain. My pain was moderate to severe and radiated down my arm. He had me do a series of plain films in the office with my neck and spine flexed and extended. From these regular x-rays, he decided that I had nothing wrong with my neck and sent me off to physical therapy. Nothing really to manage the pain. Of course this didn't help and I eventually went to see another interventional pain specialist who ordered a MRI. It turned out that I had severe spinal stenosis in my cervical spine that required 2 fusions. I liked Dr. Huston and felt confident in what he told me at the time, but after a big surgery and years of living with this pain...I realize he never really listened to me and should've known that plain films are not adequate for what I was experiencing to rule out something more serious. I felt as though I was being treated like someone who was just seeking drugs, rather than someone with legitimate pain. read more

This has been the worst experience ever! I visited Toca on Highland as follow-up after severe back pain and going to the ER. Dr. Huston said he would get the films from the hospital and review them with me in 30 days. He advised me to go to Physical Therapy at one of their Toca locations. I called their PT office and left two messages to get into PT there and nobody ever called me back, so I found my own Physical Therapist. After the 30 days, I went back to Dr. Huston for my follow up appointment and to hear the results of the MRI. He didn't come in to see me and sent the assistant in. She said they didn't have the MRI results from the hospital and now they want to have their own MRI done. So, needless to say, I wasted my day and $40 co-pay just to be told the Dr. Huston didn't do as he said he would. I then made another appointment with their MRI department and I had to pay yet another $250 co-pay. This department gave me an appointment time and we confirmed. A few days prior to the appointment they called and told me another time (different then what we agreed upon). I was told someone would call me within two days after the MRI. That never happened. So I called the main office and asked for an office manager or Doc assistant to call me. It's been four days and nobody has called me back. I tried today to call the office about getting a pin number so I can be connected via the patient portal (which they brag about the convenience of their patient portal as the pre-recorded message that you listen to while on hold). I finally got someone in medical records and she said "the patient portal has been down for months". The customer service is horrible. The only helpful folks there are the ladies that check you in for your appointment....at least they were respectful. I would NOT recommend this group to anyone!!!! read more