Why I Created Diagnostic Pain Center
When my family and I first moved to Austin, I felt that most pain management clinics were pushing excessive procedures or medications to get patients out the door. I knew the Diagnostic Pain Center had to be different.
I wanted to establish a place where I could practice honestly and ethically, a place where quality of care and compassion were the top priorities. We analyze your history, physical exam, and applicable records to establish a diagnosis. Because that’s what you need when you’re in pain, a doctor who will take the time to hear you, to see you, rather than one who thinks of you as just a number.
Diagnostic Pain Center was created to address the physical and emotional toll that pain takes on your life. We don’t just mask the pain. We help you understand what’s creating it and decide how to move forward, and we’ve successfully helped thousands patients engage in their lives again. This is the reputation we’ve upheld since 2012: treating the whole patient — not just your symptoms.
The Diagnostic Pain Center Team Mission is an expression of Dr. Robert S. Marks’ founding vision to ethically and effectively evaluate and diagnose each unique patient,
Founded in 2012, The Diagnostic Pain Center is a multi-physician private practice that focuses on creating highly individualized treatment plans to help you live pain free. Since we’re locally owned and operated by our doctors, Robert S. Marks, M.D., Sauman A. Rafii, M.D. and John R. Gburek, M.D., we do things a little differently than other practices.
We believe in taking the time to invest in our patient relationships. We won’t push you to try a treatment, have a procedure or take a medication that doesn’t fit with your lifestyle. We respect your autonomy and work to educate you on your options. Your pain is personal and your treatment should be, too. With accurate diagnosis, highly effective treatment methods and specialized care, we help you regain the life you deserve.
Reach out for relief or call (512) 981-7246 to schedule a visit. We’ll do everything we can to see you the next business day.
A Different Approach to Pain Management
At our clinic, we treat you the same way we would treat our parents, children, siblings or best friend. Our team understands that pain is frustrating and scary. But we also know how far genuine caring, kindness and encouragement can go. At every step of the healing journey, we prioritize your comfort and individual goals. We get to know the person behind the pain.
As practitioners, our first job is to listen. We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help. We’ll never dismiss your concerns or rush you out of an appointment. Instead, we’ll stay diligent until we’ve found your diagnosis, and then use it to craft an effective, individualized treatment plan.
Our goal is simple: make it so that you no longer need a pain doctor.
How We Reduce the Burden of Pain
What is Pain?
Pain is the body’s way of telling you something needs healing, not a band-aid. At Diagnostic Pain Center, that healing starts with establishing a diagnosis. We appreciate what you’re going through and the ways pain may be limiting your life. Instead of simply focusing on your symptoms, we treat you: the whole person.
Pain isn’t just a physical sensation. It’s an emotional experience. We know how much of a toll this disease can take on your sleep, your work, your social life and especially your mental well-being. Our job is to present you with options, so you can get back to the life you love.
Diagnostic Pain Center can help you find relief using a variety of safe, effective therapies and opioid alternative treatments, including:
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Radiofrequency Ablation for Neck, Back Pain, & Joint Pain
- Therapeutic Nerve Blocks
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulator
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Botulinum Toxin Injections
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Medical Management
Personalized Treatment in a Caring Environment
A full life is a pain-free life – and our doctors are personally invested in helping you get there. They’ll work with you one-on-one to find the root of what’s causing your discomfort and get a complete picture of your pain story. What have you tried already? What are your goals? What types of treatments make you excited or uncomfortable?
We support you in being your own patient advocate. Whether you come to us for a procedure, recommendation for integrative medicine or a second opinion, nothing happens without your say so. Treatment strategies are a collaborative process between patient and practitioner. This is a team approach that centers you as the most integral part of the decision-making process.
With your input and our extensive experience, our positive and supportive team of double board certified pain specialists will help you find relief and take your life back.
Your Treatment at the Diagnostic Pain Center
Once the source of your pain has been correctly identified, your doctor will create a pain management framework that takes your lifestyle and other factors discussed during your consultation into account. We promise to take extra time to explain the details of your test results, treatment options and potential outcomes. You are always the most critical part of the decision-making process. Your opinions and active involvement are important to us, and treating your pain is a collaborative process with your comfort and happiness as the end goal.
In many cases, managing and eliminating your pain is as simple as starting an anti-inflammatory medication or adding certain key vitamins to your diet. Oftentimes, simple injections that directly target the affected area can provide months of pain relief. Steroid injections often allow patients to resume their normal daily activities, while making it easier to transition into a physical therapy program and a more active lifestyle. We also provide a variety of highly effective interventional, regenerative and minimally invasive procedures. In some cases, oral medications may be a more appropriate treatment method given your condition.
The combination of these treatments, alongside other therapies and lifestyle changes is often the most useful approach to managing pain. Based on current literature and extensive experience, your doctor will present and explain the most effective treatment options available for addressing your specific issues. You can feel confident that you will receive an honest opinion and straightforward recommendations. Conservative treatment is of course our first priority, but if your condition requires a more aggressive approach, we may refer you to another trusted specialist or surgeon.
Our Patient-Centric Philosophy:
Diagnose the Pain
Treat the Problem
At Diagnostic Pain Center, your relief comes first. Whether you have neck and back pain or any other chronic pain, your situation is unique. It has layers. People have different goals. A good physician will always take that into account.
Physician owned and operated
We believe you should get to choose which treatment options are right for your life, not some pushy out-of-state corporate office. We’re driven by outcomes and not profits. We’re committed to building a relationship with you, not just treating you.
Honest and ethical practices
Our purpose is simple: to get you the relief you deserve so you don’t need us anymore. No more limited mobility, sleepless nights or missed time with loved ones. We check our egos at the door and provide curative treatment options that focus on the root causes of your pain. And they work.
More time with new patients
Compared to other practices, we spend more time with our new patients. It’s important to get to know you and your situation, understand your pain, and build a new relationship with you.
No more waiting
We also understand that pain doesn’t wait. You shouldn’t have to either. Diagnostic Pain Center offers next business day appointments, so you can start living your life sooner.
That’s the quality of care we promise. That’s the DPC difference!