The Dr told me he doesn't want to see me anymore. According to the state medical board he should give me 30 days to find a new Dr. Does not respect his patients. He ignores most of your issues, wants you to treat him like a Saint. One of the worst pain doctors I've ever experienced. read more

Really surprised to see anything less than 5 stars for Dr Mallavaram. Always 2 sides to a story so I would take all the negative reviews with a grain of salt. Dr is patient, kind, has great bed side manner, hears you out and is a great practitioner. Im so glad we found him after having bad experiences with other Pain management Drs in the east bay. read more

Appreciate dr Mallavaram much for his caring abd professional help. His office staff as well is very helpful and accommodating. Thank you

I was in Dr Mallavaram care from 2011 to the end of 2015 due to a spinal cord injury suffered in 2009. He was just opening up his new business The Spinal and Pain Center of California. He administered injections, tried different ointment treatments that were testing gabapentin as a topical cream. Even when I had an issue with my long term disability insurance he took the time to write a letter on behalf. So when I left Kaiser and returned to an HMO in January 2024 I was excited to see Dr Mallavaram and his Fremont office taking new patients. I made my initial appointment for early December, but they wanted me to go to Pleasanton office. I said sure, but in the future I want to be seen in Fremont. When I arrived it was not Dr Mallavaram I was seen by Dr Newmark. I explained to him that I live in Fremont and Dr Mallavaram treated me from 2011 through 2015. After the appointment I scheduled my next appointment for March 25th in Fremont to see Dr Mallavaram. I was given pushback saying that Dr Newmark was now my physician and he only works in Pleasanton. Today I was told that the appointment was cancelled and that they would call me back for a reschedule. I didn't hear anything all day so I called now and was told that Dr. Mallavaram was not taking patients with chronic pain he was only taking new patients with new injuries. Why did I have to wait a full month after my first visit before I was given the truth regarding Mallavaram's new directives. Why did they book me with Dr Mallavaram for March 25, 11days away in Fremont if he wasn't taking on people with severe chronic pain. Not only has things changed with the good doctor so has The Spinal and Pain Center of California staff. When Bonnie B ran the offices there you got compassion and a straight answer. Now in days they don't care about their patients, will lie to their face. Wasting time, not prescribing medication on time. Tomorrow if my primary doctor does not prescribe morphine to me, I will have painful withdrawals that will force me to go to the ER. I told that to Dr Mallavaram staff and they denied to help me. Back in 2015, Dr Mallavaram was prescribing me a stronger opioid and a higher dosage. Kaiser switched me to morphine which was less dangerous and we lowered the daily dosage. Now I can't get approval for the morphine from his office. If the staff was up front with me initially when I scheduled for my first appointment or after I was seen by Dr Newmark I would not have wasted 2 1/2months trying to get some relief. Instead I will go through the painful withdrawals at the ER tomorrow because office staff has no integrity or balls to be up front with patient from the beginning. I think his policy not to see patients that are not new injuries has been in place for awhile yet I was deceived by their inaction. I will be finding a new pain mgmt doctor who's staff communicates well and gets back to patients quickly. In the meantime I think the California medical board needs to hear about this. read more

I am 85 years old and until I saw Dr. Mallavaram I really didn't have a good quality of life as I pretty much was a prisoner in my daughters home as God Bless her she has offered me a place to live. Doctor Mallavaram prescribed medication that has made me mobile and doing many things I wasn't able to do. I now can do my own laundry and go shopping whenever I need to. I follow his directions completely and in so doing I am a much happier person than I was prior to becoming a patient of his. I have read many of the comments made by folks that aren't happy and I believe some of you folks wouldn't be happy no matter who the doctor is because you don't identify the Doctor Mallavaram that I know. All I can say is thank you Doctor for giving me the comfort and ability to enjoy my many Grandchildren in the time I still have amongst my family. read more

Dr. Mallavaram is a great doctor to have on your side. He is very patient and listens to all of your concerns and needs. Currently, I'm dealing with a mess of a workers compensation claim and he has been battling it with me. I'm a first responder, and if you want a doctor who has your best interest and care for treatment in mind, he is your go to guy. read more

I had high hopes when I first met him in August of 2020. I was referred to him by a wonderful doctor who suggested I go see him for trigger point therapy to manage my Fibromyalgia. It is now April 2021 and I hadn't received a single trigger point injection. For some reason Dr. Mallavaram was obsessed with getting an MRI of my neck instead of just treating me for what I came in for... Fibromyalgia (doesn't show up on an MRI) As time progressed I asked his office to please make sure that the trigger point injections would be covered by my insurance. I had a bad experience in the past where I ended up with a 2k bill and I didn't want that happening again. Through this whole period of being his patient I was on Tramadol. I asked for Tramadol because it has proven to be very effective for fibromyalgia and relatively safe for people in recovery. My recovery/sobriety means everything to me. I'm also of the mindset that just because I'm in recovery doesn't mean I deserve to suffer when I am in Chronic pain every day. Onto the really Important Stuff: During my time under his care I had to have invasive surgery that I am still recovering from for my endometriosis. It did not cure my endometriosis and I still get horrendous pelvic and bladder spasms. He isn't a gynecologist. He doesn't treat that pain nor would he if I asked him to. UCSF, knowing I am prescribed Tramadol for fibromyalgia, prescribed me a low dose of Norco for these spasms. I never take both together and I don't enjoy that I have to be on anything at all. I would much rather be pain free. So, last week I had someone from dr. Navin's office reach out to me because I expressed how depressed I am in the NeuroFlow app he has his patients use. I'm overwhelmed with all the pain and chronic illness and I wanted help finding a CBT therapist to help with pain management. I had a phone appointment with Dr. Navin this morning who seemed pretty clueless to someone in his office reaching out in concern to me last week. On top of it, he just brought up the MRI again! He's like well, do you need your medication refilled and I'm just thinking yes, why not now instead of later? Just to pay another doctors fee? I again expressed to him the trouble I am having with multiple chronic pain issues and asked for help finding a cbt therapist. When his front desk called to schedule a follow up appointment in 4 weeks for my meds I was frustrated with their office and said so. Get This... I get a call back a few hours later telling me that Dr. Mallavaram can't prescribe my medication anymore because he found out another doctor was prescribing me medication. I was so hurt. Never have I felt so unheard. Duh! Of course I got prescribed other pain medication- I'm recovering from surgery! How dare you have your nurse call me back, treat me like a junkie, and drop me as a patient. Shame on you for hanging all those "most compassionate" doctor of the year awards in your office. How much did you pay for those? I found quite the opposite of compassion in you, Doctor! So odd that the moment I say I don't need or want an MRI you drop me as a patient. I made your office very aware I was getting prescribed norco for after surgery care. The communication between you and your staff is horrid and I haven't seen a shred of empathy or compassion from you. read more

After over 10yrs of treating with Dr Mallavaram I was abandoned by him.. because of workers comps common practice of attempting to intimidate.. I was given no referral to a new Pain Management Doctor in my area no information at all.. when faced with a desperate situation the office staff treated me like I was never a patient. To say the least I was shocked. I will absolutely follow up on this in hopes no one else on Workers Comp has to experience what I have. Basically over $600 owed to him by workers comp. I desperately offered to pay and I'd await payment by Workers Comp..Not to mention all the money he earned over 10 yrs or more of treating me. I didn't even receive so much as a goodbye.. read more

You completely ignored the issues I raised in my review and demonstrated the same lack of interest in me as an individual in your response as in the office visit. Nobody WANTS to take "strong pain medications", they come with many difficult challenges, which those of us who must resort to them because other interventions UTTERLY FAIL know all too well. You fancy yourself a "pain management" doctor. Try looking at chronic pain patients for who we are: people who suffer unimaginably. Your high-sticker, non-refundable, cash up-front payment policy is just the price of admission. I can only imagine the final price after risky surgery. Beneath contempt. read more

I called to the mentioned number multiple times and it directly goes to voice mail and they never revert back to me. Not sure whether they are operating on this number or something else. I cant accept their ignorance so providing the reviews here. read more

Dr. Mallavaram was very nice and empathetic towards my slipped disc. He was very helpful and I look forward to his treatment.

Dr. Mallavarmam is a great Dr. I have been seeing him for many years now and I don't know of another specialist I would rather see.As the person before me said, " he has a great bedside manner." So true. He will work with you to find the best treatment that will work for you, even when there don't seem to be many. I wish he was claser to Danville though. Linda read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Mallavaram's for several years now and have been very pleased with the care I have received. If you are looking for a doctor to write prescriptions and move you out the door, Dr. Mallavaram is not the doctor for you. He expects you to be an active participant in your treatment. He is kind and compassionate and shows a true concern for your well-being. He wants to know what is working and what isn't and looks for different treatments to try. He has an excellent reputation with local pharmacies as being "one of the good ones". My only complaint is that he is only in Fremont two days a month now, but he is worth the drive to Pleasanton if I can't get an appointment in Fremont. Dr. Mallavaram's office staff is kind and compassionate as well. I have rarely waited more than 10 minutes to see the doctor and on the rare occasion I have had to wait longer they have kept me updated so I didn't feel like I was put into a room and forgotten. They know how to work with Worker's Comp and private insurance companies to get your treatment approved as quick as possible. I hope you never need have to deal with chronic pain, but if you do, Dr. Mallavaram is someone you want on your team. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Mallavaram's for a few years now (chronic neck and lower back issues). He and his staff have always gone out of their way to make sure I am being taken care of. Scheduling has always been difficult with my schedule and insurance, but Crystal H and Crystal B have always made it work and I'm so grateful! I moved to the Silicon Valley and still drive to Pleasanton to keep Dr. Mallavaram as my Dr. It's not easy dealing with patients that are in constant pain. Dr. Mallavaram is also patient and kind. He listens intently and his treatment plans have helped me tremendously. I highly recommend you visit if you are looking for relief and a Dr. and staff that care! read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Mallavaram's for almost 4 years. I hope to continue seeing him for many years to come. He has an impeccable bedside manner and has perfected his craft. He is knowledgable and well educated. Having to see a doctor is often a stressful situation. But, I have always felt comfortable and well cared for by Dr. Mallavaram. He is by far the best doctor that I have seen and I consider myself very lucky to have found him. read more

Doctor Mallavram is the most caring doctor I have ever met he takes care of my pain issues well . My problem is with the front office staff they are rude and rushed I have been trying for 2 weeks to speak to the office manager only to be told she is to busy and that the front office would have to take care of my issues sadly when I call them in 10 out of 10 pain they tell me they can't talk to me cuz they seeing patients well I'm a patient that's been calling for 3 weeks I feel that the doctor is NOT getting the messages I left for him to please please call. UGH SO FRUSTRATED!! read more

Originally from out of state, I had once been extremely dissatisfied with the majority of diagnostic and treatment options available to me. Unfortunately, after moving to California, I suffered two accidents that had set me back considerably. However, when my neurologist referred me to Dr. Mallavaram, I found a caring doctor, who for the first time, offered me hope. Even though I am dealing with various issues, Dr. Mallavaram has helped to improve my quality of life to the point where I could never have imagined. Upon discussing various burdens with Dr. Mallavaram, he offered me the services of a psychologist, with whom he shares the same office. Dr. Feder specializes in the relationship between the physical and emotional aspects of pain, and the maintenance of both. There are very few doctors who I can trust to have my best-interest in mind, and not focus solely on the bottom-line. Dr. Mallavaram and his staff are the exception to the rule. Thank you, Kris read more

My husband and I both have been treated by Dr Navin Mallavaram for several years after trying many other Drs. Dr Mallavaram is patient, caring and genuinely interested in helping you improve your quality of life. Dr Mallavarams program increased our mobility at the same time reducing our pain and dependence on opiates to manage pain until we were eventually able to eliminate pain meds from our regime all together. He sits in the room and listens intently, gets to know you as a person, doesn't rush in and out, takes as much time as you need to talk with him. He has a great bedside manner and a very friendly, professional and responsive staff. If your looking for a dr to help you improve your quality of life and is genuinely interested in your we being, Dr Mallavaram is the one. read more

I have seen a lot of pain specialist and I am not an easy patient. I was born with a lot of congenital defects, but I have total confidence in this Dr. I highly recommend him. read more

I have very unusual back and neck problems. I have seen many pain specialist that got frustrated with my problems. I recommend this doctor as one of the best. He listens to me and helps me with the pain I have and I can tell you I am doing very well. He is the best pain specialist I have ever seen. Highly recommend him. read more

Dr. M had been a terrific Dr. for me in the past, and he had helped me get the correct medications I needed in order to keep me from feeling the pain from a series of botched surgeries I had. Problem was that after a few months I was let go as he had said that his "group" or practice was no longer accommodating pain management patients. And this was after he found the correct medications that worked for me. I didn't want that "HIGH" feeling. I just wanted to be able to function and enjoy my children and wife while I was still somewhat young enough (52) to be able to spend time "vertical" with them. I have a HUGE ventral hernia that makes me look like I'm pregnant and thats after I've lost over 35lbs. I did struggle in finding another Dr. after Dr. M and now I'm once again struggling to find another Dr. as there seems to be a stigma associated with "medication" these days... I can no longer have any more operations as an MRSA carrier, antibiotics that work are few for me, and not only that, but because of the nature of my condition, massive ventral hernia, Dr's do not want to take a risk on more surgeries and more pain for me. So, Ive been left in sort've a pickle. No more surgeries because of the nature of the surgery, Dr's had said I could be in far more pain than I am currently and Ive been okay with that as long as I'm able to have some sort of "relief", and that most antibiotics are now ineffective on me :( My current PM Dr. is no longer practicing and did not leave a referral, so I'm struggling once again to find a Dr. that can help in my care... Dr. M is a great guy though. Caring, and spends the time to listen for sure! My wife and I still speak highly of him to this day and If you can have him as a Dr. please give him a chance, as he's a good one out of all the ones I've seen over the years. I just wish he could continue with "MY" care... read more

Just a quick update that I felt I had to write, since this "fine doctor" chose to leave his own comments. Please note that he is saying exactly what I said in my review. For those of you who have been in chronic pain for years, you've been to many, many doctors on and off, and you know exactly what your condition is and it's not going to change, as you know, sometimes you just need some temporary help. That's all. And this guy won't help you until he has collected as much as he can from your wallet and your insurance company. He even says so in his response right here!! Look at all of the stuff he wants to push on you--it's ridiculous. Note that I said in my original review that I have done all of those things before, and some of them were quite recent. There was no medical necessity for ANY of those tests or procedures to be done. If you've had 3 sets of epidural steroid injections (for a total of 9 injections), and some new doc comes along and says, "I think you need epidural steroid injections" when you just finished telling him THEY DON'T WORK, then why would he continue to push this crap on you? It's obvious----it's for the almighty dollar. I can sniff these types out a mile away. Stay far, far away from these types. Just because he orders you to take a bunch of silly tests does NOT make him a good doctor. Being a good doctor is what makes one a good doctor. It's common sense. I could write so much more about the whole "pain management doctor" industry and how it came about, and maybe someday I will write a book on it so that patients are aware of who these people are (they are anesthesiologists who have learned how to make a lot of extra bucks on the side is what it boils down to). And don't forget---they have drug reps and product reps that push their product on them all the time. The more products they actually dispense or "sell", the more perks the doctor receives. It's illegal as hell, but nobody cares---it happens every day. Any questions, just send me a message. I'll be happy to answer it. I have years of experience, and lots of different pain patients that would be happy to talk with you about what to avoid in "pain" doctors. There truly are good ones out there, but they are hard to find. read more

I've seen the Dr. twice - once before my MRI and once after to give me the results. His charges totaled more than $1700 for the 5-7 minutes that I saw him (total for two visits). He got the MRI results back and told me there was nothing he could do for me and suggested that I see an acupuncturist. I'm trying that now, but have little hope in a good solution to my back pain :-(. But WHO CHARGES THAT MUCH!?!?!?!? That comes out to over $20,000 per hour! Way too much. Shop around first and ask how much your visits will cost! read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Mallavaram for close to 8 years. I was curious as to what others thought of him so I decided to look him up! I am so happy that most people love him, as I do, but am extremely offended by Andy's review... his insinuating that the doc is only about money... nothing could be further from the truth!!! He is a caring and compassionate man who strives to take care of his patients. There has NEVER been a time I've felt rushed or that my concerns are not heard. He takes his time and really tries to offer the best care and advice he can. I think that perhaps this reviewer was drug seeking and did not want actual PAIN MANAGEMENT! I can't imagine Dr. Mallavaram being the way that Andy described... never in a million years. If you are looking for a Dr. who will treat you as he would a family member and who truly has your best interest at heart, call Dr. Mallavaram. You will not regret it. read more

Dr. Mallavaram is the best, friendly, a good listener, and helpful. His entire staff is professional and friendly.

I was referred to this doctor for pain management after a large work injury that required two separate surgeries over 7 months. I saw Dr. Mallavaram a few weeks before my 2nd surgery. I called to speak with him 1 week before my surgery and waited 3 days for a call back and then was only contacted by his rude receptionist. After surgery I ended up in the ER with the physician and my surgeon trying to reach Dr. Mallavaram to no avail. After I was released the rude receptionist called me and asked "what did I want" when I phoned the doctor over the weekend during my hospital stay. The conversation ended up with her hanging up on me and not even listening or asking what my hospital stay entailed. A week later I went to see the Dr. Mallavaram for my regular scheduled appointment and was told when I arrived that he didn't want to see me - that it "wasn't a good match." WTF This guy and his office behave like temperamental babies instead of professional adults who provide care for someone going through one of the hardest times of their life. read more

I have been a patient of Dr Mallavarams for over 6 years. At first, the office staff and doctor were great. Unfortunately, that changed. The office staff (has changed) has become terribly rude. I have been waiting for weeks for a back procedure to be scheduled thru the front office and the girl that handles the health insurance flat out LIED to me about speaking with my insurance company. My insurance company said they are waiting for the doctors office to respond to their correspondence and haven't heard A WORD in weeks from the doctors office. Why would the office staff "lie" to me about my procedure?????? I get that patients are a huge pain sometimes, however when you have chronic pain and call your doctor, you expect the office to be compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic and kind. I get NONE of this when I call or when I am at that office. It's unfortunate because Dr Mallavaram is a really good doctor but it takes more than that. The staff has to be "equally" kind and sympathetic. I do feel very, very rushed when I am in there and do understand the previous reviews!!! The faster they can get you out, the faster they can get more patients in ($$$$$$$$!!!)!! I would NOT go to this Doctors office if you are reading this review. I wouldn't send my worst enemy to this place!! read more