Dr. Walavan Sivakumar

My husband was suffering with undiagnosed NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus) for 5 long years. His walking was impaired, as was his cognitive function. After a brain CT was performed, it was revealed that his brain ventricle was enlarged & retaining fluid that was not draining properly. Dr. Sivakumar performed a 90 minute brain shunt surgery & literally restored my husband’s quality of life! He no longer shuffles or drags his leg & his thinking is much clearer now. I highly recommend Dr. Sivakumar! He is the very best neurosurgeon!!

Dr. Wally Sivakumar is so compassionate & a dedicated neurosurgeon! He & his PNI team did an excellent job in treating my son!

I was referred to Dr. Sivakumar at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Torrance for a second opinion prior to surgery by a trusted family friend. Prior to my consultation with Dr Sivakumar, I was interviewed by his physician assistant, a member of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute care team, who developed a deeper understanding of my cervical history than anyone before. During the second opinion consultation with Dr Sivakumar, I learned substantially more about my cervical condition. Dr. Sivakumar is the “poster-child” for bed-side manner, compassion and reality. Near the end of the consultation, Dr Sivakumar offered to assist my surgeon with the procedure that included installation of a disc prosthesis and the neurosurgical hardware at the C5-6 level. Not only did Dr. Sivakumar assist in the surgery, he called my wife immediately afterwards to update her of its success and was the first person to see me the morning after surgery. I’m an active senior, a life-long… want-a-be athlete and now a cyclist and a practicing CPA. I don’t make referrals without trusting the likelihood of success. I recommend Dr. Sivakumar and his care team for anyone with spine and neurological issues.

Dr. Walavan Sivakumar saved my life. Thank God the ER selected him for my surgery. He performed life saving neurosurgery on the left side of my brain where metastatic prostate cancer had burrowed through. The lesion was about the size of two golf balls according to one of my sons. At the time of surgery I could not read, write or talk intelligently and had trouble with my balance. Today, 11 days later I am almost back to full function with my balance almost back to normal. I cannot speak highly enough about him. He is preise and calming such that I went into the surgery with complete trust in him. He must walk with the angels of the Lord because God gave this man tremendous gifts. He runs a top notch neurosurgical facility with state of the art equipment and has a very competant staff. There are no if and or buts.....this is the man to see if something is not functioning wright in your head.

After months of constant pain in my arms I researched drs and visited Dr Sivakumar. I was impressed by his knowledge and ability to explain things without being in a hurry. He gave me non surgical options first and then I decided to have surgery in my neck when the results were not working. My recovery was quick and my pain was relieved which I was not expecting entirely. He is an incredible doctor with an equally incredible staff.

This year I endured several compression fractures on my C1, C2, T5 & T7. It is so refreshing to know that there is a doctor like Dr. Sivakumar. He has a very friendly, calm, caring demeanor about him, is very attentive to your condition and concerns, is patient (doesn't rush you through the appointment), set me at ease, listened and addressed all my concerns. Explained very clearly, so that I understood, all the medical terms that pertained to me from what was shown in my CT Scans, MRI's, and x-rays. I loved that he didn't push for surgery, and considered alternative approaches, which turned out to be applicable in my case. Dr. Sivakumar is a visionary in that he is working at setting up an institution for his patients to come to, to receive all the treatments needed in the facility he set up. He recommends and is also setting up/including in his practice, at Providence, Alternative Medicine Treatments. I just Love this doctor, I don't normally feel this way about doctors, but he truly… is one of a kind.

I had to have emergency surgery due to what ended up being a pituitary chordoma. Dr. Sivakumar is thorough, knows his 'stuff' and with the team from the Pacific Neuroscience Insitute, removed my tumor, with just a two-day hospital stay. Post-op visits are always informative, thorough, and answers all my questions, which have been many. He makes sure I know everything and will stop me if I look confused or concerned so he can explain away any fears. If anyone, anywhere in the US needed any types of neuro/brain care, from tumors or strokes and such this is the physician to see as well as PNI team!

Dr walavan sivakumar performed a lumbar decompression on my 89 year-old father. Our family was apprehensive but Dr Sivakumar explained the procedure as well as the risks and benefits. He is exceptionally patient in answering questions, many questions! The surgery is a success and my dad is recovering at home. We are very grateful.

I came in for a consult with Dr. Sivakumar after a lot of research on providers and neurosurgeons, and I really could not be more grateful that I found him. As expected, he is extremely qualified, meticulous, comprehensive in his delivery, but also is a great guy - a consummate professional who really took the time to answer all of our questions, providing easy to digest detail and an open dialog around my condition and treatment plan. His office team is just as professional, detail-oriented, and helpful. My surgery and recovery went as well as we could have hoped, and my incision has healed well also. I highly, highly recommend Dr. Sivakumar and the entire team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.

Dr. Sivakumar saved my aunt's life. Other doctors had diagnosed her with only AFIB, but Dr. Sivakumar and his team dug deeper into the MRIs to find other areas that needed immediate attention and he operated on her carotid artery to stop further strokes. He sat with us and was patient and thorough with all of our questions and concerns. He continues to treat my aunt with kindness and pays close attention to any potential stroke symptoms. He encourages her and makes her feel important. We were all very impressed with his brilliance and bedside manner.