Welcome to Universal Pain Management, a multidisciplinary facility dedicated to pain relief. Our board-certified physicians specialize in assisting individuals whose chronic pain has not responded to conventional treatments such as bed-rest, medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 6 months. It may result from injury; inherited conditions, surgery, or age-related deterioration and may have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. Our physicians at UPM are board-certified pain specialists trained to evaluate and treat even very difficult pain conditions.
Finding the cause and effectively treating your pain is our primary goal. Our physicians will work with you to design a treatment plan to decrease your pain and increase your level of function.
Personal Treatment Plan
At Universal Pain Management, you will receive a medical evaluation by a Board Certified Pain Specialist focused on determining the cause of your pain. If needed, additional diagnostic testing may be obtained. A treatment plan will be outlined and recommendations made to restore you back to maximum function.
Services
Medication Management
Epidural Injections
Facet Injections
Radiofrequency Ablation/Denervation
Intracept Procedures
Spinal Cord Stimulators
Peripheral Nerve Stimulators
Intrathecal Pump Trials and Implants
Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Physical Therapy
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Frequently Treated Problems
Numbness & Tingling
Failed Back Syndrome
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Arthritis Pain
Sports related Injuries
Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Industrial Injuries
Back Pain
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD)
Neuropathies
Shingles
Coccygodynia
Costochrondritis
Entrapment neuropathies
Facial pain
Intercostal neuralgia
Neuromas
Occipital neuralgia
Pain following back and neck surgeries
Pain related to arthritis
Pain related to disk herniations
Painful peripheral nerve disorders
Painful shingles
Back Pain
Pelvic pain
Phantom limb pain
Post-myelogram or spinal headache
Sacroiliitis
Shoulder and arm pain
Spinal stenosis
Workers Compensation Experts
We specialize in treating and supporting those injured on the job. Our staff assists with authorizations, managing appointments, and communicating all new developments with referring professionals. At Workers Compensation Experts, we understand the complexities involved in the recovery process, and we specialize in offering top-notch medical treatment and support services. Our experienced staff excels in obtaining authorizations, efficiently managing appointments, and ensuring seamless communication of all new developments with referring professionals
Personal Treatment Plan
At Universal Pain Management, you will receive a medical evaluation by a Board Certified Pain Specialist focused on determining the cause of your pain. If needed, additional diagnostic testing may be obtained. A treatment plan will be outlined and recommendations made to restore you back to maximum function. Frequently, patients improve significantly with a few simple procedures but for patients with more complicated pain problems, we will work with you to establish an effective multi-disciplinary treatment plan that will address your individual needs.
Keep Fit
Regular physical exercise can help avoid injury and contribute to your physical and mental well being. Therapy and home exercise may be recommended as part of a pain control and pain prevention program. A good diet, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco and normalization of poor sleep patterns will help reduce stress and lessen pain symptoms.
Stay Active
It is important to maintain activity, although you may need to avoid some activities entirely or do things a little differently to work around your pain. Focus on what you can achieve. Set realistic goals and follow your personal treatment plan. It emphasizes the importance of leading a healthy and dynamic lifestyle by incorporating regular exercise, movement, and energy into daily routines.
Our Service Offerings
Appointments
Insurance
Most Insurance Plans Accepted
We accept Worker's Compensation, Medicare/Medicaid, Personal Injury, Private Insurances and HMOs.
Appointments
Patients are seen by appointment only. If you must cancel or reschedule, please let us know at least 24 hours before your appointment. To schedule an appointment please call (661) 267-6876.
Telephone Calls and Patient Support
Please allow our specially trained staff to answer questions and reschedule appointments. Do not hesitate to call during office hours if you have questions regarding treatment or medications.
New Patient Intake Forms
Please click the link below to download the New Patient Packet
Dr. Shahin Sadik is one of the founding physicians of Universal Pain Management. Dr. Sadik graduated with a medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School of Medical College of Hampton Roads. After that, he completed his residency in anesthesiology and fellowship training in pain management at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, Dr. Sadik works as a pain management physician and Medical Director at Universal Pain Management in California. Board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with special qualification in pain management and also by the American Board of Pain Medicine, Dr. Sadik has vast experience managing chronic pain. In addition to his duties at Universal Pain Management, Dr. Sadik holds a faculty position at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine as a Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology.
An accomplished author, instructor, and physician, Dr. Ray d'Amours earned his medical degree in 1985 with Distinction in Research from the University of Miami School Of Medicine. He then served the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute as a student flight surgeon and the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School as flight surgeon. After his naval service, Dr. d'Amours completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Practicing in pain management since the early '90s, Dr. d'Amours moved to southern California in 2002, when he joined Universal Pain Management. Concurrently with his duties as partner at Universal Pain Management, he works as an assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine for the University of Southern California. Dr. d'Amours is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with special qualifications in pain management, by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians, and by the World Institute of Pain as a fellow in interventional pain practice. Dr. d'Amours has authored several scientific papers and book chapters on pain management, as well as delivered various lectures on the subject across the U.S.
Dr. Francis Riegler is also one of the founding physicians of Universal Pain Management. Dr. Riegler earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He then completed his residency training in anesthesia at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, where he was also Chief Resident in his final year. He also has an MBA degree from the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Riegler currently resides in California, treating patients as a pain management physician with Universal Pain Management and holding a faculty position at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine as an assistant professor of anesthesiology. Dr. Riegler is an expert in the daily management of chronic pain. He is board-certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine, by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians, and by the American Board of Anesthesiology with a special qualification in pain management. He is also a lifetime member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and executive director of the California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.
Dr. Daniel Alves, MD, MPH specializes in the treatment of people with both acute and chronic pain syndromes, including neck and low back pain, joint pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. He completed his medical degree at Loma Linda University in 1996. This was then followed by a residency in Preventive Medicine. During this time, he completed a Masters in Public Health. He later worked as a faculty member at Loma Linda University until he decided to pursue his passion of musculoskeletal and pain medicine. He moved to Milwaukee where he trained at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he was Chief Resident in his final year. From there he returned to Southern California to undergo further specialization at the prestigious UCLA-PM&R Pain Fellowship. In addition to providing all forms of interventional techniques such as peripheral and spinal cord stimulators, intrathecal pump implantation and management, he is also trained in performing diagnostic electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG and NCS) which helps establish peripheral nerve pathology. In his spare time, he enjoys running, yoga, cycling and soccer.
Dr. Kevin Kohan, D.O., Q.M.E. is Board Certified in both Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He completed both his undergraduate training at UCLA, and medical training at Midwestern University with honors. Subsequently, he performed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Einstein Medical College. During his residency training, Dr. Kohan pursued several pain and spine research projects, an undertaking that resulted in several presentations and awards at national and international medical conferences and has published in pain and physical medicine and rehabilitation journals. Dr. Kohan performed his pain medicine fellowship at University Cincinnati where he performed extra training in research and regional anesthesia. He is an active member of American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the International Society of Interventional Spine. His interests are in spine, joint pains, headaches, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. During his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family engaging in several outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and traveling.
Dr. Arvinder Gill D.O. is board-certified with America board of Anesthesiology in Anesthesiology and Sub specialty of Pain Medicine. He completed undergraduate training at the University of Wisconsin Parkside graduate and obtained his medical degree at Midwestern University. His residency training in Anesthesiology was at University at Buffalo, and he completed his training with a fellowship in Pain medicine at University at Buffalo. He also served as a Chief Resident during his final year in the residency program. His special interests include cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome and implantable devices for treatment of chronic pain. Dr. Gill is a member of American Society of Anesthesiologists. He family includes his wife and twin daughters. He enjoys travelling, music and outdoor activities.
Dr. Choudhary M.D. specializes in chronic pain management and anesthesiology. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California and obtained his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Thereafter, he completed his Anesthesiology residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago and was elected Chief Resident in his final year. He stayed on for one additional year as an Interventional Pain Fellow where he developed skills to treat a variety of pain syndromes. Dr. Choudhary also was involved in a successful multi-disciplinary research project in which effective opioid sparing treatment methods were formulated to treat pain for post-surgical patients. In his spare time, he enjoys being involved in motorsports, cooking, and traveling.
Omid Mahgerefteh, D.C. is a dedicated chiropractor with a passion for improving the quality of life for his patients. Dr. Mahgerefteh combines his expertise in chiropractic care with a holistic approach to address various forms of pain. With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Mahgerefteh has developed a deep understanding of the intricate connections between musculoskeletal health and overall wellness. He is committed to providing personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs, utilizing a combination of manual/manipulative therapies, therapeutic modalities, and rehabilitative exercises. Dr. Mahgerefteh also has extensive experience in treating pre- and post-surgical patients, offering specialized care to help them manage pain and regain function following surgical procedures. He strives to empower his patients with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their pain effectively and improve their overall well-being. He has worked closely with orthopedic surgeons and other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs. Furthermore, Dr. Mahgerefteh is actively involved in education. He periodically lectures at the USC Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, sharing his expertise and insights with medical students, residents, and fellow practitioners. By staying abreast of the latest advancements in chiropractic care and pain management techniques, Dr. Mahgerefteh ensures that his patients receive the highest standard of care possible.
Anna P.T. received her Masters degree in Science in rehabilitation and physiotherapy in Poland, Europe and became a licensed Physical therapist in the state of California in 1995. She has developed an excellent reputation as a therapist by treating all ages and variety of conditions. She encourages each person to maximize his or her recovery through and individualized therapy program, appropriate exercise and personal attention. Her rehabilitation team specializes in geriatric, orthopedic and neurological disorders, pain management and therapy and wellness care.
Debra has worked in physical therapy for over twenty-five years; she received her physical therapist assistant license in 1991. the majority of her caseloads have been working in out patient facilities, here in the Antelope Valley. She has had many clinical hours and continual education in myofascial release (MFR). This has been very successful in treating soft tissue injuries related to neck, shoulder, back and lower extremities. MFR has also been successful when treating chronic pain complaints in promotion of a more functional active lifestyle. Her background as a certified weight trainer has worked on all levels of care depending on patient stability and tolerance.
Marc Reznikoff, L.Ac., Q.M.E. Marc Reznikoff is a licensed Acupuncturist and holds status as a Diplomate of Acupuncture. In addition he is a Qualified medical examiner (QME) for the state of California Workers Compensation Board. In 1993, he received his masters in Traditional Oriental medicine from pacific College of Oriental Medicine located in San Diego, California known as the "Harvard" of TCM colleges. He also specializes in sports Medicine and has treated professional boxers (Big Bear, California) and Olympic athletes (invited to be on, and was a member of the U.S. Track and Field medical team for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics).
Nurse practitioners are a vital part of the health care team at Universal Pain Management. A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses, either independently or as part of a health care team. A nurse practitioner provides some care previously offered only by physicians and in the state of California has the ability to prescribe medications. Working in collaboration with a physician, a nurse practitioner provides high-quality, individualized care for the patients of Universal Pain Management.
Our practice has long been a leader in meeting the pain treatment needs of California's High Desert Communities. We have recently expanded our staff, services and locations in response to patient needs.
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Sunday appointments are also available in West Palmdale. Please be prompt for your appointment so we can give you and others the best possible care. If you must be late for your appointment, please call immediately to inform us to reschedule.