CNY Spine & Pain Medicine LLC Review

I have not had a single issue with going here. The entire staff is helpful and friendly. I have seen three of the Doc's and after getting several test injections I had two nerves burned in my lower back. For the first time in almost 10yrs I can bend and move like normal again. I see these one stars on here and either those people are drunk pill poppers or just plain idiots. All the paperwork most of you probably don't read spells out almost EVERYTHING! Including waiting on prescriptions, appt times, no shows, drug testing... EVERYTHING! They even put these policies on nearly every door and wall you see in there PLUS, they tell to your face. Put your phones away, check your attitude at the door and you'll probably have a better experience like mine. Good luck with the other places. (Been to those and the VA) I can definitely recommend some places for bad service.

If you're not interested in Medicinal Marijuana, don't bother. They get cash from the MM card and have turned into shills who won't bother treating you for other things if they can get the cold hard cash. The best treatment for my disease is trigger point injections, and they basically wrote those off, although they worked for me before.
It took less than half a day from getting the results of my allergy tests to pop before I was dropped like the plague. #SuicideDueToPain is a thing, look it up

I have been a patient of Dr Martin Schaeffer for over 15 years. I now drive over 45 minutes to be seen by him. He is a caring help full dr. As well as his staff. From Jamie at the front desk to ALL of the Nurses. I have had 3 large back surgeries by his old partner Dr Nolan. I get about one set of lumbar injections a year. Last year Dr Shaeffer found that some of the hardware has broken. Gave me pictures. Also contacted Dr. Nolan. I have also seen many of his P.A. 's over the years. They have all been helpful kind and respectful of my needs. I also recommend Dr. Shaeffer to my daughter several years ago when she had a neck injury. She was also well pleased. I came to see Dr. Shaeffer because I had an injection somewhere else,and couldn't walk for 4 days. Dr Sheaffer and his staff in Liverpool are TOTALLY Awesome.

I'm starting to wonder if these people actually have any medical training at all.

My blood pressure was checked with a cheap wrist contraption that you can buy for 12$. The nurse was also asking me questions and having me fill out paperwork while taking my blood pressure.

Update: I was kicked out of this practice for my review. GO TO New York Spine and Wellness!!!!!!!!

Besides waiting for 2 hours to be seen and then having my actual appointment be less than 10 minutes. Just to be told that he disagreed with the two previous doctors. Physical therapy was his professional prescription. I am getting only 3 hrs sleep and my neck and back hurt every day. Will never return and would not recommend Dr Schaffer.

I had an appt at 9.45 am. I woke up to a flat tire. Called their office and got an answering service as always.left message. Filled tire an sped all the way there. Got there at 10.00am. 15 minutes late.was told that I could not be seen and would be charged 50 no show. Can you believe. I have waited over 30 minutes in their offices for a 10 minute exam. How does this add up??? Not only that now they will Not send me My records . xrays which I had to remind them they took. Which showed an issue and they never looked at. I had to ask to see them. Then they realized I had a left shoulder issue. Not that I had gone there for that reason. Be aware..... Not a goodplace

Great practice, great people. Dr. Mendez really cares and takes the time to really try to pinpoint your pain. You can tell they (the practice) would rather "fix" your problem rather than just keep drugging you up. I have had 3 injections on my elbow and my pain keeps returning, so we are getting an MRI done and looking to the treatment that will be the most effective and safest for me in the long term. I think most of the bad reviews I have read are patients just looking for a place to prescribe them drugs so they can get their "fix" and not get to the root of the pain issues. Those people will never be satisfied and I bet you can read their exact same reviews on other practices that just don't haphazardly hand out dangerous medications. CNY Spine is doing it the right way...keep up the good work. Highly recommend.

This staff is wonderful. I am not treated like an addict when I request appropriate adjustments in my pain medication. They do not push medical marijuana at all (perhaps the previous reviewer confused them with the other pain practice in Liverpool, who do push med marijuana for profit). I recommend this practice to family and friends.

I have osteoarthritis in my lower back and neck. I had an appt. with Dr. Schaffer, who I had researched and was comfortable with. When I went to my appt., Dr. Schaffer was too busy, so Dr. Battista took my appt.. That was upsetting to me. They just assumed that I didn't care who was poking around on my spine. I took the time to write up a complete history of my problems and mailed it to the office weeks before my first appt.. It was obvious at every appt. that the history was never read. Dr. Battista sure didn't read it, he didn't even know I was going to be a patient of his until it became obvious that Dr. Schaffer wouldn't be there. I was told that I needed to have an MRI, and that they would schedule the appt. and call me with the date. I called after a week, and they told me not to worry, it just hadn't been done yet. Three weeks later I called, and they had forgotten to schedule the MRI, and now all of my subsequent appts. needed to be rescheduled. Finally, I had my MRI and returned to CNY spine for the MRI review. I have several treatable issues, but because I was not in pain that day, the Dr. couldn't do anything to help me. He said to call when I was in pain and they would get me in to take care of it. I don't remember his exact words, but I left with the impression that when I called, he would get me in within a few days and provide me with some relief. About two months later I called, in pain and needing assistance. They told me they would be happy to make an appt. for me to come in and discuss what options they might pursue to manage my pain. No action would be taken at that time to actually help me. That would require yet another appt.. I was so upset, I declined further treatment.
Summary- Don't bother to write out your history in an effort to help. They won't read it. Don't expect to see the Dr. that you have an appt. with. Expect at least 4 office visits before you will see any kind of relief from your pain.

So I'm actually writing this for somebody who came in as a new patient last week if I am able to leave photos at the end of this I will put up the exact screenshot of text that I received from him right after he left the practice. And I actually tried to call them (although he told me not to )and I couldn't even get anybody to answer the phone in the middle of the day I tried twice. Basically somebody that I know who attends another local pain clinic and has been a patient there for a long time. Has been at his present job for 38 years and has no drug or alcohol problems. He's had Some recent issues with his longtime clinic lately so he decided that he was going to go talk to another doctor. Hence picking CNY pain.So he's there he's waiting in the room he says he can hear the doctor loud and clear talking out in the hall how this was somebody that they originally turned down but then decided to see him (talking about my friend) and that he was going to go on in and try to get rid of him. Meaning my friend! So my friend is sitting in the room he clearly hears the doctor saying all this in the hall Are you kidding me? What kind of place would have a doctor that would talk loud enough to have a potential new patient hear them? So he said he waited 30 minutes more after hearing that conversation and the doctor came in and rush rush rush and got him out of there. He said he felt like he was on a speed date He said all the doctor ended up doing was confusing him. Said that he didn't see any reason for him to be on any kind of medication and rushed him out the door. He has been on medication because he needs to have surgery but he won't do it Or I should say maybe he's afraid to do it but he has never had any issues as far as taking his pain medication . He said to me that he guesses he will just stay where he's at because even they were better than this place ! honest to God you are being shamed of yourself for treating people like that! I would've given this business zero stars But they force you to give one I will tell every single person that I know loud and clear that they have doctors that obviously don't care about patients. Who talk loudly in front of them and rudely say things like they're going to try to get rid of them! I say STAY AWAY!!!

I have been going to Dr. Schaffer for 8 yrs & I've only missed one appointment due to holiday & family death... Then I get a call the following week telling me I have been discharged from their office due to missing two appointments... I have never missed two appointments... This is my 1st appointment missed... I have bulging & herniated disc, narrow spacing disc, degenerated disc & some arthritis... I have been on so much medication over these 8 yrs it has actually messed up my head... I started with Dr. Schaffer, then went to Michelle Scott & then Amy Gmeli... Schaffer & Scott listened, but Amy Gmeli let it go in one ear & out the other... She doesn't care... So now that I've been discharged, they have cut my meds in half, then they give me 3 weeks of meds, now they no longer prescribe me anything and also called my pharmacy to cancel any refills I have & telling the pharmacist that I have been discharged because I missed 2 appointments which they aren't suppose to tell my business to anyone... I will NEVER recommend them to anyone...

I had suffered for a year with specific pain, with multiple trips to my Dr, for trigger point injections and they were stumped as to what was causing it.I was referred out at my request and was called by CNY Spine/Pain Mgt. Protocol was 2 nerve blocks, at different times which ultimately failed. 3rd time was the charm. After the ablation, I have been TOTALLY pain free. Thanks to all the staff, Dr. M. Schaffer and Dr. Mendez. SUPERB!!!!!

Dr. Mendez and his staff are awesome. The wait was short about 5 minutes and the staff friendly and reassuring. Dr. Mendez explained everything he was doing throughout the procedure. This is a great practice. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone with back or orthopedic issues.

Dr.menendez does not listen. The holier then now attitude is terrible.how can he tell my girlfriend how much medication is needed to care for her pain when he is not in her body. So either do it his way or nothing at all. Find someone else that will actually listen.

I'd like to know who all these people are that left nasty reviews. Iv been seeing Dr. Schaefer for over 10 years. Yes granted sometimes there is a lengthy wait. But that's par for the course with any of my specialists.But he as a Dr.is great. He listens and I never feel rushed. He's performed all my emgs an we go over the results that day with a plan. Everyone has an opinion. And they do prescribe narcotics. Just not to people that are suspect.

I have seen Dr Schaeffer since 2013. I just received a call accusing me of watering down my urine sample and cancelled all my prescriptions leaving me high and dry. I have repeated UTI's so must drink a lot of fluids. I have been patient waiting sometimes over 90 minutes and have left. Now I must scramble to not go into serious pain from 3 neck surgeries and a pinched nerve in my back.

I am currently a patient and have nothing but a great experience. When I first started going there I saw Dr. Battista who took his time to listen and provide me with fantastic conservative management. I don't want/need Opioids and he never pushed me to take or so something that I don't want. I went to physical therapy and have had one injection for my shoulder and am doing great. My low back pain started and again went to physical therapy and had one injection and have had doing really well. Overall I am very pleased and happy with this practice!

Why didn't you give me a bottle of wisky and a gun to kill myself. You are heartless.

I have been a patient for many many years seen a couple diff. Docs in ther..I absolutely love them and how they listen to tour problems and never feel rushes by any means..the staff is so super friendly..Have never had a problem..

All my lumbar discs are bulging, and two are impinging on spinal nerves. The radiologist who performed the MRI suggested that cauda equina (an emergency condition) ought to be considered. Thank God I don't have cauda equina, but I'm in so much pain, I scream. Because of a cardiac condition, I have to remain on a blood-thinner for at least a year before surgery can be performed. The pain began September 2014, two weeks before the cardiac event. I've been in excruciating pain for the better part of 11 months now. It has ruined my life.

Since my own surgeon has refused to treat my pain (!), I applied to be a patient at CNY Spine and Pain, and they wouldn't even speak to me! They were such cowards, they sent my internist the rejection letter instead of sending it to me. The rejection letter itself was a joke -- "After a careful review of your records" we cannot help you. If they won't treat someone like me, who DO they treat? Perhaps if you walk into their office with a spear through your head, you MIGHT get an appointment.

Not only all the doctors, but now all the "pain specialists" have drunk the Kool-Aid over the ginned-up fake panic about opioid addiction. According to a study of 20,000 opioid addicts by the NIH, fully 78% of them had NEVER had a legitimate prescription for pain meds EVER. In other words, over 3/4 of opioid addicts are street trash who have no medical condition requiring pain meds. So, because of the existence of junkies, people in REAL pain have to suffer even more. Since when did that become a rule?

And, according to the CDC, a person over 30 with no history of substance abuse has only a 1% likelihood of becoming addicted to prescription painkillers. A person over 30 who does have a substance abuse history--well, his/her chances of addiction skyrocket all the way up to around 2% or 3%. Statistically insignificant.

You can always tell when you're being lied to when the "experts" deliberately abuse their own language. There is no opioid "epidemic"; an epidemic is the widespread outbreak of a contagious disease and has NOTHING to do with pain medication. But "epidemic" is a very effective scare word, and doctors are using it to absolve themselves of the guilt they feel over letting the DEA seize control of the medical profession. Shame on all of them. They're all guilty of torture by omission.

So, physical pain is now a political issue. What's next? Will there suddenly be a ban on all cancer drugs or psychiatric meds because an insignificant percentage of scumbags have abused them?

As H.L. Mencken said, "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

It's happening right here, right now. There is something very wrong with this country.

Biggest bunch of hypocrites ever. Because I use marijuana for pain, they took away my pain medication, they don't give a damn. Should be called. pain inducing clinic.

Dr OQuinn shouldn t be practicing pain management or treating any patient. I was excused from their practice because I told her in my second appointment that gabapentin that she had prescribed me wasn t working for my pain and I ve been through the injections, do basically, at that point, there was nothing that they could do for me. No way for them to make money on me. She was not willing to help me relieve my lumbar and spine arthritis pain. Isn t that what your practice does? Still don t know why. I didn t miss any appointment. They must select people who want to pay thousands to get useless cortisone injections that kept me awake and sick for 3 days.

my mother has been going to this office for over 15 years. In January 2016 my 74 old alzheimer mother,with Fibromyalgia was given a new doctor oakland (with out our consent) she lowered her medication down a little. then on 4-20-16 we saw the doctor and she lower her medication down by half. when I tried to say something about what they were doing to my mother, they discharged my mother from office. I think lowering her medication over time would have been better then just doing what she did.its not right that a doctor can have this much power over the old and sick.

I have been a patient at this practice for about a year and a half now. I see Dr. Schaeffer and have seen Dr. Mendez once for an injection as well as a follow up. Everything about this practice has been amazing. Dr. Schaeffer although always running a little behind (hehehe) is most definitely worth the wait! He is caring, compassionate; he actually takes the time to listen to you, and has such a great sense of humor. He makes you feel very at ease and takes the time to really explain things to you in a way you can actually understand. When I was pregnant I had pubic symphisis meaning my bones were grinding and I could hardly walk. Dr. Schaeffer took the time to sit down with me and actually listen to me and with the help of him and of course my OB we set up an injection with Dr. Mendez. I had a pubic symphisis injection with ultra sound and not going to lie it was a little painful but within a few hours my pain went from a 10+ to about a 2. I had never been so happy! I was able to enjoy the remainder of my pregnancy and both Dr. Mendez and Dr. Schaeffer checked in with me and did follow ups to continue to make sure everything was going good. These Drs are by far the best in the pain management field and I highly recommend them to absolutely everyone!

He was called in to testify for my Workman's Comp case the next I know I was discharged for no reason. I didn't request him the comp board did. Therefor if you inconvenience him at all beware to get cut cold turkey to scramble to find a new doctor.

Friendly staff and the doctors are great. Always willing to listen and they don't just rush you out they really seem to care. They also have a doctor that does medical marijuana here for those looking.

If you can at all, please go somewhere else!
Worst place ever!
Would give 0 stars but forces you to at least give one.
I've never been so disappointed in a group of Drs in my entire life.

Excellent care!!! I honestly don't know what the other reviews are talking about because Dr. Schaeffer was phenomenal. He diagnosed my pain, and actually treated it. I have been to numerous doctors all wanting to do procedures on me that just didn't work. After three visits, I started receiving injections that actually stopped my pain. If you want a doctor that treats pain based on your symptoms and your problem I highly recommend this place.

I have found Dr. O'Quinn to listen well, and to be competent. She also made a good and necessary referral during the course of treatment. She is willing to push back when what I want is not good, and holds a tight line on staying to appropriate/allowed treatment. My one "complaint" :-) is sometimes needing to wait for an appointment, which is hard to do when in pain, but that speaks well in terms of patient satisfaction.

Always listens, always works to make me better. I am a 6 year patient, and recommend Dr Schaeffer to family and friends.

On 8-21-19 I was referred to Cny spine an pain for a nerve study after sending the referral over an not hearing from them I decided to call the office I was in formed that they never received it. I called my dr an he sent over another one on Friday I called to see if they got it. The rude lady that answers the phone said that she got it. I then asked if I could schedule the appointment in which I was laughed at an told that they have to create a folder an talk to the dr about it. I then asked to talk to a manager since I felt that I was a bother to there practice. She informed me that she would look into it an I would hear something by Monday I never heard anything so I called on Wednesday an when I asked if I could sheduale an appt I was told you have to do a new patient appt which I was never told about again the lady on the phone was very rude an unprofessional. DO NOT GO THERE FOR ANYTHING UNLESS YOU WANNA BE TREATED AS YOUR A BOTHER TO THERE PRACTICE AN BE LAUGHED AT AN YOU WANT UNPROFESSIONAL SERVICE