Melissa Alvarez Perez, MD

When meeting with patients, Dr. Melissa Alvarez Perez aims to form a therapeutic alliance working together toward common goals including improving health and pain management. “The need to be able to focus on improving quality of life using a multi disciplinary approach” first drew Dr. Alvarez Perez to the field of pain management. She earned a bachelor’s degree and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico. She completed an internal medicine internship and residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at VA Caribbean Healthcare System in San Juan, PR. She also concluded two fellowships: one in pain management at Florida Pain and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. and another in spinal cord injury at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania.Certified in multiple fields such as physical medicine and rehabilitation and spinal cord injury, Dr. Alvarez Perez brings a vast knowledge to her work at the National Spine and Pain Centers. “The ability to help …patients improve their quality of life and give them hope” is the aspect she most enjoys about her work. Currently, there are many exciting treatments and developments in the field of pain management. Dr. Alvarez Perez is delighted by the developments of spinal cord stimulator as a way to help her patients. When approaching medication management as part of developing a treatment plan, Dr. Alvarez Perez believes in a conservative use of medication to assist in the reduction of pain. Away from the office, Dr. Alvarez Perez can most likely be found outdoors either cycling, running or camping.