Dr. Lisa R. Witkin, MD

Very Efficient likable doctor

My mother and I have been seeing Dr. Witkin for over 12 years. I had atrocious back pain and thanks to Dr. Witkin, I am now able to function. My mother has bad knees and she is 86 years old, so surgery is out of the question. Through procedures and when needed, medication, my mother is also much better. We are grateful to Dr. Witkin and unconditionally recommend this wonderful doctor.

Dr Witkin and the entire staff were very professional and curtious. I would highly recommend this practice

I can't praise Dr. Witkin enough., I have been to quite a few pain management doctors/clinics and none can compare to Dr. Witkin. I can use my arms without paralyzing pain from my shoulders to my neck for the first time in almost 30 years.

Dr Witkins and didn't start off on a good place, however has a continued my visits I feel a pleasant and educational repor. I have MS and severe arthritis in many places in my body. The treatment I am receiving has allowed me to continue part work and I am walking better along with physical therapy. I will recommend my family and friends to Dr. Witkins.

I saw Dr Witkin with a Referal from a Weill Cornell neurosurgeon, who operated on my cervical spine. Dr Witkin performed two ablations on my lumbar spine. She diagnosed me with lumbar facet arthropathy, spondylosis of lumbar region without myelopathy or radiculopathy, Radiculopathy, lumbar region, degenerate disc disease lumbar, myofascial pain, bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip and sacroiliac inflammation, leaving me in tremendous pain. Dr Witkin refused to address all my areas of pain, Affecting my mobility and quality of life. After the ablations were done she prescribed tizanidine and physical therapy. I went to physical therapy and was told nothing they could do would alleviate pain, further I was told tizanidine a muscle relaxer was not for osteoarthritis or a pain reliever, it wouldn’t alleviate pain from my issues. I did go however as it was all she offered me and told me I’ll see you after the 6 weeks of therapy. I believed a Pain specialist would of been compassionate… who is connected with Weill Cornell brain and spine. I now use another Physiatrist from Weill Cornell. Dr Witkin wanted to give me epidural injections but as I’m a diabetic I cannot get steroid injections as they spike my BG levels and we literally argued about this. Even with the nerve ablations the first of two I spiked as a little steroid is injected into the site. Before the second lumbar nerve ablation I told her no steroid as I’ll endure the momentary additional pain as a diabetic cannot spike on BG levels for weeks. My endocrinologist told me it damages your eyes, heart etc. I tried to reason with Dr Witkin asking her to contact all my other treating physicians to collaborate, she refused. I’m without pain management at present due to Dr Witkin refusing to remove herself from my treating doctor chart, Dr Witkin refused to refer me to another pain specialist at Weill Cornell also. I’m not going to refer her to anyone due to my horrible and experience that left me a year later, with more pain issues due to the progressive nature of her my issues in her diagnoses. Her diagnosis of my issues were incomplete as I have only treated with Weill Cornell Drs after a spinal surgery. My list of diagnoses are more than she listed. I have major spinal issues that operations cannot help at present. I am presently seeing a physiatrist who has added numerous other diagnoses due to testing that I’m still going through, to figure out the best course of action. I’m disappointed and disillusioned as Weill Cornell Brain and Spine is absolutely the best place in the world to go to for spinal issues. I travel 3 hours one way to go to the best. I lived in the Bronx most of my life and know what superior medicine is, Weill Cornell!! My experience with one Doctor didn’t stop me from continuing to treat here and absolutely should not dissuade anyone else from Weill Cornell brain and spine. One doctor does not reflect on all the rest and this was my experience only.

I saw Dr Witkin with a Referal from a Weill Cornell neurosurgeon, who operated on my cervical spine. Dr Witkin performed two ablations on my lumbar spine. She diagnosed me with lumbar facet arthropathy, spondylosis of lumbar region without myelopathy or radiculopathy, Radiculopathy, lumbar region, degenerate disc disease lumbar, myofascial pain, bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip and sacroiliac inflammation, leaving me in tremendous pain. Dr Witkin refused to address all my areas of pain, Affecting my mobility and quality of life. After the ablations were done she prescribed tizanidine and physical therapy. I went to physical therapy and was told nothing they could do would alleviate pain, further I was told tizanidine a muscle relaxer was not for osteoarthritis or a pain reliever, it wouldn’t alleviate pain from my issues. I did go however as it was all she offered me and told me I’ll see you after the 6 weeks of therapy. I believed a Pain specialist would of been compassionate… who is connected with Weill Cornell brain and spine. I now use another Physiatrist from Weill Cornell. Dr Witkin wanted to give me epidural injections but as I’m a diabetic I cannot get steroid injections as they spike my BG levels and we literally argued about this. Even with the nerve ablations the first of two I spiked as a little steroid is injected into the site. Before the second lumbar nerve ablation I told her no steroid as I’ll endure the momentary additional pain as a diabetic cannot spike on BG levels for weeks. My endocrinologist told me it damages your eyes, heart etc. I tried to reason with Dr Witkin asking her to contact all my other treating physicians to collaborate, she refused. I’m without pain management at present due to Dr Witkin refusing to remove herself from my treating doctor chart, Dr Witkin refused to refer me to another pain specialist at Weill Cornell also. I’m not going to refer her to anyone due to my horrible and experience that left me a year later, with more pain issues due to the progressive nature of her my issues in her diagnoses. Her diagnosis of my issues were incomplete as I have only treated with Weill Cornell Drs after a spinal surgery. My list of diagnoses are more than she listed. I have major spinal issues that operations cannot help at present. I am presently seeing a physiatrist who has added numerous other diagnoses due to testing that I’m still going through, to figure out the best course of action. I’m disappointed and disillusioned as Weill Cornell Brain and Spine is absolutely the best place in the world to go to for spinal issues. I travel 3 hours one way to go to the best. I lived in the Bronx most of my life and know what superior medicine is, Weill Cornell!! My experience with one Doctor didn’t stop me from continuing to treat here and absolutely should not dissuade anyone else from Weill Cornell brain and spine. One doctor does not reflect on all the rest and this was my experience only.

I was a patient of hers with my suggestions from my physiatrist for my chronic pain in late 2013 to early 2014. I’ve told her my last pain management has made me a morphine addict some 5 years ago for a entire year before I had emergency surgery to have it fix! She BLATANTLY IGNORED me & gave me 60 VICODIN ES + 90 TYLONOL 50mg for 30 DAYS SUPPLY!! I showed my bottles of NARCOTIC PILLS I got from this PILL PUSHING quack to my physiatrist, to her HORROR, she is a practicing doctor at the renounce NY Presbyterian Hosp.!! I threw out the tylonol, & the 60 VICODIN ES, they lasted me for 7 MONTHS, because I rather clench my teeth, eat my pain & get my trigger point injections every 3 weeks from my trusty physiatrist & she NEVER give me 30 VICODINS IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS!!

Dr Witkin is a kind, knowledgeable doctor. From the first moment I met Dr. Witkin I was immediately put at ease. She is an excellent listener with a very pleasant demeanor. Dr. Witkin was aware of my problem and immediately offered a few helpful interventions. I will be transferring my case to her in the near future. I'm very grateful that I was able to meet her and become her patient. I feel I'm in good hands.

Dr. Witkin is outstanding in her knowledge and her manner. I feel that she sincerely listens and cares about me as a patient. She never rushes through an appointment.