1. What are your hours?
    We are open Monday thru Friday - 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our telephone hours are 9 a.m. to Noon and 1:30 to 4:30p.m.

  2. Where do I park?
    Our building contains a parking garage which accepts cash only. The cost is $1.00 for 20 minutes. The entrance is on the K Street side. There is also metered street parking.

  3. What forms of payment do you accept?
    Co-pays and deductibles are due at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, Visa and Mastercard and will bill your insurance  whenever possible, however, please remember that the primary responsibility for payment is yours, not your insurance company’s.

  4. What insurance plans do you accept?
    We are contracted with most major carriers. Please check with your insurance to verify that we are a preferred provider. Not all physicians at NCSRA Medical Corporation are on all plans or the same plans.

  5. Do you refill prescriptions?
    Medication refills must be done at the time of your scheduled visit or by calling your pharmacy. We do not refill medications on Fridays, weekends or by telephone.

  6. How do I get a copy of my medical records?
    To begin the process of medical records release, please call our Medical Records Department at (916) 389-7100, option 4.

  7. What hospitals do you use?
    Sutter General Hospital and Mercy General.

  8. How do I get my prescription refilled?
    Log into the patient portal and make your request for refill. Please enter the name of the medication and which pharmacy you would like it refilled at.

  9. How do I get a work excuse note?
    Log into the patient portal and make your request. Please list the dates you need excused.
  1. What Insurance Plans do you accept?
    We accept most major plans including Medicare. HMOs: Hill Physicians, Sutter. For PPO plans, please contact our office to determine if your PPO is covered.

  2. Do you accept credit cards?
    Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard.
  1. My rehabilitation therapy has me working on stomach muscles. Why?
    Strengthening the abdominal and "core" muscles is one of the first steps towards improving posture and alleviating lower back pain. If you have a sedentary lifestyle (desk job with little exercise) then you're placing a tremendous strain on the lower back and discs. By strengthening the abdominal muscles we encouraging upright posture; back pain can be reduced to a significant degree. Always consult your physician before beginning an exercise program.

  2. Why would spinal surgery be necessary?
    Back pain in the most common reason that adults will seek medical care. The causes of back pain are many and may include herniated discs, patterns of instability such as spondylolisthesis -- where one vertebrae slips forward on another, degeneration of the facet joints, enlargement of these joints producing pressure on the nerve roots that exit the spinal column, or stenosis of the spinal canal. Preoperative studies including electrodiagnostic studies, EMGs, x-rays, CT scans, and MRI's are commonly used to determine which of these factors are contributing to the symptoms. Although most back pain can be managed with non-surgical therapy and exercises, if a clear causative factor can be found, and if it matches the symptoms you're having, then the you may benefit from surgical treatment of the spinal problem.

  3. How would I know if surgery is right for me?
    At NCSRA, the patient is at the center of the decision making process. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide, with a lot of help from your doctor, whether or not spine surgery is right for you. Trying to make a decision about whether or not to have spine surgery can be an overwhelming process. How do you start to make this decision? Our recommendation is that you begin by learning as much as you can about why you need surgery, what kind of surgery you are going to have, and what this will mean to you and your family. Having a complete understanding about the surgical process and what to expect will help to ease some of the anxiety that you will naturally have about this decision. We will help you take a step-by-step process, beginning with education about yourself, your condition and the options available to you. We'll help you make a confident decision, made jointly by you and your doctor, about whether or not to have surgery.

  4. How many people actually experience back pain?
    It's estimated that 4 out of 5 Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their life. Nearly all of these incidents will resolve on their own, given time (usually within six weeks, given rest, medication and exercise). More than 60% of those who have experienced back pain, will have more than one episode. Back pain is actually the most common reason people visit their doctor.

    The following factors increase the likelihood of back pain: lack of exercise, poor posture, continuous lifting, bending or sitting, emotional or mental stress, obesity, and smoking. By eliminating these factors, you reduce the risk of back pain.

  6. What is an MRI?
    MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. This is a noninvasive diagnostic scanning technique that provides information on the body without the use of x-ray or the injection of radioactive substances.

  7. What are Physiatrists?
    Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you live. Rehabilitation physicians are medical doctors who have completed training in the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).

    Specifically, rehabilitation physicians:
    - Diagnose and treat pain
    - Restore maximum function lost through injury, illness and disabling conditions - Treat the whole person, not just the problem area
    - Provide non-surgical treatments
    - Explain your medical problems and treatment/prevention plan

    The job of a rehabilitation physician at NCSRA is to treat any disability resulting from disease or injury affecting your spine, shoulders, knees, hips and so on. The focus is on the development of a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person’s life back together after injury or disease – without surgery.


  8. Why Visit a Rehabilitation Physician?
    Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. By taking the whole body into account, they are able to accurately pinpoint problems and enhance performance – without surgery.

    Consider seeing a rehabilitation physician if:
    - You had an accident or you have an injury or chronic condition that has left you with pain or limited function - You’re contemplating or recovering from surgery
    - You have an illness or treatment for an illness that has diminished your energy or ability to move easily
    - You have chronic pain from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or back/neck problems.

    At NCSRA we will thoroughly assess your condition, needs and expectations. In the process we will take a complete medical history to assess for serious medical illnesses that may be a barrier to achieving your goals. Then we will develop a proper rehabilitation program that may include a combination of medicines, procedural interventions, and exercise. As an example a patient may be suffering from chronic neck pain.


    Do you want to strengthen an injured muscle, find relief from chronic pain, or work up the stairs without being winded? A rehabilitation physician can work with you to determine realistic short- and long-term goals. Along the way, he or she will help you to find relief from pain, achieve successes in rehabilitation or exercise programs, overcome your setbacks, and reassess your goals if necessary.