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Christopher Amsden, MD
PAIN MANAGEMENT / PHYSIATRY
Curry Medical Practice
Curry Medical Center
Contact Info:
Office:
541-412-2000Facility/Office:
CURRY MEDICAL CENTER500 5th Street
Brookings, OR 97415
CURRY MEDICAL PRACTICE
94220 4th Street
Gold Beach, OR 97444
Education:
Doctor of Medicine degree from Oregon Health Sciences University - School of Medicine at Portland, ORBachelor in Arts degree in Chemistry from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA
Internship:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from the University of California - Irvine at Orange, CAResidency:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from the University of California - Irvine at Orange, CACertification:
Board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine & RehabilitationBoard certified in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Board eligible in Electrodiagnosis.
Biography:
Christopher Amsden was born and spent his early years in Coos Bay, Oregon, and later moved to complete grade and high school at Lincoln, in Portland. Later, he majored in Chemistry at Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges, followed by obtaining his M.D. from Portland's Oregon Health and Science University in 1984. His Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) residency was completed at UC Irvine, and at the Long Beach VA Hospital in 1988. He is now board certified in both specialties.Dr. Amsden practiced initially in Portland during the infancy of fluoroscopic pain management procedures, being the first doctor (that we know of) to utilize these more advanced guided pain treatment procedures, in the Rose City. He later practiced for 23 years in Modesto, within California's Central Valley, but has now recently returned to Oregon with his wife. He has two children in college.
More/Other Information:
Dr. Amsden, regarding his patients' pain problems, addresses the importance of lifestyle, conditioning, and weight management. Beyond those, medication trials, injections, acupuncture, or manipulations may be recommended, as well as psychological training, for stubborn pain problems. Physical Therapy may also assist with development of conservative treatment approaches for pain problems.Dr. Amsden generally recommends first trying out less habit forming types of pain medications. He utilizes adjuvant medications such as anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, anti-convulsants like gabapentin, or anti-depressants like Effexor or Pamelor, over stronger and more habit forming pain medications. Dr. Amsden also uses lab testing, and medication agreements as well, for the safety of his patients, and to help increase the predictability of the treatment plan.
Dr. Amsden also performs interventional pain treatment procedures including spinal epidural and facet blocks, and nerve and joint blocks in the limbs, hips, and shoulders.
Dr. Amsden enjoys hikes, music, skiing, and he someday hopes to get a boat.
* Musculoskeletal Spine & Joint Pain Consultation and Management
* Interventional Spine Treatment Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Facetal (Injections or RF)
* Epidural and Disc Procedure
* Sympathetic Blocks
* Peripheral Nerve and Joint Injections
* Pain Medication Consultation
Referrals
Some insurance companies may require that your primary care provider refers you to see a Pain Management Specialist. If required, your primary care provider can refer you by completing this convenient Specialty Referral form and faxing it to 541.412.2084.