California Headache & Pain Center

I have been suffering horribly for years. I have a four level fusion in my neck, and have limited range of motion. What was left of me was doing very poorly, and I suffered from severe arthritis, and could not stand living any longer. I also developed a strange condition in my head which Dr. Zhao diagnosed immediately: Occipital Neuralgia. He detoxed me off Norco (it was hard) and explained that it changes your brain and how it perceives pain. He changed my medications, and started epidurals. He hoped to make me 50 to 70% better. In six weeks, I think I am even better than that. I drive one hour to see him; I’d drive two. He is well worth my time and effort and I am beyond grateful to him for saving me in every way.

Hey Dr. Zhao, we meet again and here I relay another unfortunate event that happened in my life, which worsened my neurological issues. So, for those who’ve read my first review, I’ve had elevated spinal fluid, bulged disc, and chronic daily headaches. Well now that’s about to change.
Long story short, in the beginning of January I got into a severe car accident. I was on residential streets going at 25 – 30 mph, and the other driver was exiting out of the freeway at freeway speed, where we collided and ultimately my car and I got the worst of it. My car violently struck a residents wall, which definitely hit me pretty hard. I knew I had the right of way, though in the end both drivers saw differently, no witnesses were there, and there was really nothing anybody could do about it. This was simply a bad accident. However, when my car and I hit the wall, I felt different after the accident.
Prior to the accident, I had my 3^rd spinal tap for update, which resulted in 22.5 H20. Then a couple of weeks after the accident, I had number 4, and my CSF fluid and pressure had risen to 24.5 H20. Dr. Zhao knew that the accident affected my condition, but was very reluctant to put me on a drug called, Diamox (Acetazolamide), because of my age. Though, in the end he had no other choice, because my CSF would not be controlled properly if he didn’t put me on it. Well, it has been a ride with this drug, though in the end it benefited me throughout the long run.
Diamox was one of the most rigorous, yet powerful and effective drugs I’ve ever taken. At first, when I reached the 1000 mg mark I began to develop the tingling sensations on my extremities and carbonated drinks started to taste bitter. I could not take it anymore, because I felt that this was ruining me, rather than helping me. So, we weaned off the Diamox and I stopped seeing Dr. Zhao for a bit and sought advice from other Dr.s. I was even hospitalized 3 times, nothing associated with the Diamox, but I had other symptoms that my body could not control. The on call physicians gave me everything from NSAIDS, Narcotics, Antispasm drugs, and Glucocorticoids, yet they could not do anything. The only 2 abnormalities that were found were 2 bulged disc and an extremely elevated ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate). I also sought opinion from a neurosurgeon, who said there was something going on, but nobody knows what. He suggested to stay with Dr. Zhao. Ultimately, I came back to him, because he was the only person that knows my condition in general. So, we had to start over with the Diamox.
Again, 1000 mg was more of the paresthetia and bitterness of carbonated drinks. Then, as we reached to 1500 mg, I needed to get Chem 7 blood test on a weekly basis to monitor my electrolyte balance, as this drug excretes sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, etc. As we reached the 2000 mg marker it became more diuretic, and my potassium levels were relatively low, so we needed to add a supplement known as, potassium citrate to keep the range of potassium in between 3.7−5.2 mEq/​L marker, I believe. We kept building up from there, so the drug and the supplement worked hand and hand. Now, as I reached the 2250 mg stage, I began to develop gastric, anxiety, and dermatological problems. We had to really titrate slowly, because the 250 mg pill was to much too handle. So, he established a much more tolerable approach, which would consist of half tabbing for 2 weeks and titrate potassium as well. Ultimately, time went on and my body got use to dealing with the titration, which resulted in our goal of 3000 mg Diamox and 11 mEq of potassium. Now we had to watch out for the opposite effect, more so the low CSF headache. I took 3000 mg for a few weeks and now there was a lot of improvement. Dr. Zhao finally said that we have reached therapeutic dose and the spinal fluid is now under control, in which now we can slowly wean off the Diamox and the potassium. I am currently on 2750 mg of Diamox and 10 mEq of potassium.
I don’t know how you do it Dr. Zhao, but you are incredible! You have been wonderful to me over the years and have been the most kindest, caring, respectful, and patient Dr. I’ve ever had. You will always be my Dr, a mentor, and ultimately a friend. Same goes for the staff, especially, Saira and Vanessa. These two will go above and beyond to make sure everything is there for the patient on there day of visit. They work so hard, and have been of genuine care to me in making sure that I’m mobile and could function throughout the day. Thank you both for everything that you’ve done.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this place to anybody suffering neurological problems, headaches, and pain!

Went to this place expecting some real help. All the reviews talked so well about the place that my expectations were too high.
All the doctor wanted to do is medicate me, instead of getting to the root of the problem. I wouldn’t recommend this place if you want real help.

My husband had suffered for 3 yrs with severe headaches from occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headaches and a pinched nerve. He was also diagnosed with MS last summer. After many doctors, thousands of dollars in treatments and no relief, I went searching for a new doctor. Dr. Zhao was able to relieve my husband’s headache pain within a month. We are so grateful to Dr. Zhao. My husband’s pain went from a 7 – 9 daily pain level to about a 1 – 2 level of pain.
My husband is continuing to get therapy and is going for regular follow up visits which is making him feel better than he has in years. Dr. Zhao is also helping my husband get off a lot of medications that other doctors put him on that were not the correct medications for what he has. Those doctors were also recommending surgeries that would have butchered my husband and caused more problems for his health.
Dr. Zhao is an excellent doctor and spends quality time with my husband. He is very caring and really knows what to do for pain. He explains things clearly and is truly kind. I would recommend Dr. Zhao to anyone who is experiencing tremendous pain and not finding any help with other doctors. My husband is filled with hope again. He is happy and back to enjoying our lives together. Words cannot fully convey my appreciation for Dr. Zhao.

I have been a patient of Dr. Zhao’s since 2007 and have never regretted it! He saved my life!!! Numerous other doctors did not know what was wrong with me but Dr. Zhao found out I had High Cerebral Spinal Fluid in my head and has me on medication to treat it, not pain meds. I have been pain med free for years!!! Thank you to Dr Zhao, Vanessa, and Saira!!!

Yesterday, simply 26 hours ago, Dr Zhao gave me injections of Bupivovaine and another drug through an Epidural into the C5-​C6 are of my spinal cord of my neck which was punched in an auto accident. I already feel a marked improvement in my facial tingling!!! How very exciting !! In fact, last night, while reading Dr Zhao’s report, I noticed that he used Bupivovaine, exactly what David Rosenber, M.D. Used to numb my Greater Palatine nerve many years ago, before I had Gamma Knife problems. That’s how I knew that this Epidural would work :). Helen Starlight.
Dr Zhao is an expert in his many fields of Eastern and Western medicine

Amazing experience here. They offer a range of different and alternative therapy treatments that are not just various types of drugs like most places I have gone for migraine treatment. Everyone at the office is pleasant and understanding, and the office is always willing to fit me in when I need an appointment!
Dr. Zhao is well experienced in migraine treatment and was very knowledgeable about my condition, so he always made me feel comfortable. He helped me improve my condition through a combination of medication and physical therapy and a recommendation to another doctor in the building, Dr. Diep.
Dr. Diep treated me with acupuncture and muscle exercises to improve my sleep and pain management. She is incredibly smart when it comes to pain and speaking with her helped me to understand my body much more.
Overall my experience here was very positive and my migraines have improved significantly.

Dr. Zhao is a soft spoken doctor. He takes his time asking questions about your problems. He takes his time to explain different approach on pain management & gives you different views on his methods of treatment.
His office staff are happy & pleasant. They give you reminder calls a day ahead for your appoints. They work with you on setting appoints according to your schedule & needs. They have Saturday appoint available but make sure you set it ahead of time. It’s a busy day.
After a procedure is done. They make sure that you take some time to rest & recuperate before leaving their facility. Nice recliners to lay back in & relax. Makes you want to take a nap!

Dr. Zhao is a complete fraud. He charged my insurance company an astronomical amount of money for a «test» that involved them asking me 5 questions. He is only interested in making money. I went for a problem and specified the course of treatment I did NOT want — only to find out that that was what he was prescribing. He didn’t listen to me at all. Do not visit this Dr.