Meet our Pain Specialists

Dr. Ahsan

MD, AQPM, DABPM, DAAPM

Dr. Ahsan is a board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist.

Dr. Bhave

MD, AQPM

Dr. Bhave is well versed in the newest technologies for spine interventions, as well as joint  procedures.

Dr. Bukhalo

MD, AQPM, CIME, FIPP, DABIPP

Dr. Bukhalo is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist.

martha urbanmartha urban
21:49 28 Sep 22
Dr. Mohammad Ahsan and his entire professional team go above and beyond to provide effective pain management with great compassion, understanding, concern and respect for the individual. With their high level of expertise it has been possible to treat several difficult issues and alleviate my pain. I have been a patient of Dr. Ahsan for a number of years and the positive manner in which he treats his patients demonstrates his commitment and passion for their health and well-being. I am very grateful to have Dr. Ahsan as my physician.
Renata WasilczykRenata Wasilczyk
00:55 01 Sep 22
Dr. Bukhalo is a wonderful doctor! He is warm, caring, passionate and professional. I was struggling with horrible back and legs pain for months, I couldn’t work and had difficulty with daily activities. I have a big herniated disc on lumbar spine and thanks to him I was able to avoid surgery. I got couple epidural injections and the results are significant! He brought me back to life! I will recommend him to all my friends and family!
Carol UrbanCarol Urban
14:26 11 Aug 22
I have been going to Dr. Mohammad Ahsan for over 5 years now. I have severe arthritis and had been on heavy painkillers for years. Dr. Ahsan has helped me tremendously by getting me off those heavy pain pills. He explains a procedure while he is doing it and is very gentle. My pain has greatly decreased and I am thankful for him! I would (and have) recommend him to anyone that is dealing with pain.
dixie63dixie63
21:20 28 Jul 22
I see Dr. Bhave at the Northwest Pain Center, she is professional, compassionate and listens to your concerns regarding your condition. She spends a generous amount of time with you during your appointment and I never feel rushed. The Office staff are very efficient and kind too. If you're looking for a Pain Management Doctor please consider this Practice and Dr. Bhave.
Kari RamirezKari Ramirez
21:03 26 Jul 22
Dr. Ahsan is fantastic. My 86 year old has been seeing him for awhile now and he is always so great with explaining everything so we understand what is happening and how he can help. He has great bedside manner and has helped my Dad so much with his pain. Very happy to have found such a great Dr.
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FAQ's

How long does a steroid-based injection take to kick in?
A steroid-based injection typically takes at least a week to kick in.
What can I do other than interventional management for pain?
We like to complement injection treatments with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, neuropathic medications, home exercise regimens, and carefully charted advanced medication management to help you achieve an optimum level of long-term pain control.
What is the next step if an injection does not help?
We see some cases where advanced imaging helps us determine the pain generator and interventional management is performed for a specific target. However, in the event the injection does not provide relief, we revisit the other pain generators and may try a different level of the spine or a different approach entirely. Every patient is unique in their own way and our physicians do not follow a one-treatment-works-for-all strategy.
What else can I do if I personally do not want an injection?
We offer direction towards the finest physical therapists and the most optimal medication management plan for you, but we strongly believe in safeguarding and managing your pain with more than just a band-aid. We recommend exclusive conservative management if all interventional management options have failed for our patient. Conservative pain management options work extremely well when followed after targeted interventions.
What side effects can I expect after an injection?
Non-steroid-based injections rarely ever have any systemic side effects. Steroid-based injections can cause a brief spike in blood glucose levels (for diabetic patients we recommend a close eye and partnership with PCP for 3-5 days post-procedure), a degree of elevation in blood pressure due to pain, and immediately after the procedure. There can be some soreness, bleeding, and pain at the site of the injection after all procedures.
What is a minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?
MILD is a pain management procedure performed in an outpatient setting, where space is restored in the spinal canal to reduce compression of the nerves due to stenosis. This procedure is image-guided and specialized tools are used to remove small pieces of bone and thickened ligament. It's like a "drinking straw with a kink in it".
How do I know if I am a candidate for minimally invasive lumbar decompression MILD?
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and conservative treatment options are not providing you with adequate relief, please speak with your pain physician about MILD. Your lumbar spine imaging will need to be thoroughly reviewed to determine if you are a candidate.
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What is the difference between MILD and traditional back surgery?
MILD is an outpatient surgery that does not require general anesthesia, implants, stitches, steroids, or opioids, and can be completed in less than one hour.
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What are MILD's postoperative expectations?
After MILD, patients are typically able to resume normal activity within 24 hours with no restrictions.
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