Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine
Workers' Compensation Pain Management in Burbank, CA
A work-related injury can affect much more than your ability to get through a shift. Pain may interfere with sleep, mobility, rehabilitation, and the basic activities you need to perform both at work and at home.
I’m Dr. John Villanueva, and at the Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine, I provide thorough pain management evaluations for appropriate workers’ compensation referrals. As a physician double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Medicine, I look closely at the injury itself and how pain affects strength, movement, function, and recovery.
I will review available records and imaging, perform a physical and neurological examination, and develop treatment recommendations based on the individual patient’s diagnosis and functional needs.
For questions about a workers’ compensation referral, we invite you to call our Burbank office at (818) 669-8895 or contact us online today. A member of our patient care team will get back to you in a timely manner.
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Workers' Compensation Pain Management
Pain following a workplace injury can be straightforward, but it can also become more complicated over time.
For example:
- A back injury may cause pain that travels into the leg.
- A neck injury may produce numbness or weakness in an arm.
- Persistent symptoms can also make it harder to participate fully in physical therapy or progress toward previous levels of activity.
That is where a pain management evaluation may be useful.
At VIPS, I evaluate the available medical history, examination findings, and imaging together rather than focusing on one finding in isolation. When possible, I personally review the actual MRI, CT, or X-ray images in addition to the written radiology report. If nerve or muscle involvement needs further evaluation, EMG and nerve conduction studies may also be appropriate.
Conditions We Evaluate for Workers' Comp Claims
Workers’ compensation referrals may involve a range of musculoskeletal, spine, and nerve-related problems, including:
- Chronic back pain
- Neck pain
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica and radicular pain
- Nerve pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle and myofascial pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS
- Persistent pain following spine surgery
Treatment recommendations depend on the diagnosis, previous care, imaging findings, and the patient’s response to conservative treatment.
When appropriate, options may include physical rehabilitation, medication management, image-guided injections and interventional pain procedures, or other treatments. If I believe another specialist or surgical evaluation is more appropriate, I will say so.
A Focus on Function and Recovery
For an injured worker, improvement is not only about reducing a pain score.
I also want to understand what the patient is currently unable to do. Can they sit, stand, walk, lift, drive, or participate in therapy comfortably enough to make progress? Which movements or activities remain limited?
My background in PM&R makes functional recovery an important part of that evaluation. Pain relief can be valuable on its own, but it becomes especially meaningful when it helps someone move better, tolerate rehabilitation, regain independence, or work toward returning to previous activities.
What to Expect From a Workers' Compensation Referral
A complete referral helps us understand what has already happened and what questions remain.
When available, please provide relevant medical records, prior treatment history, imaging reports, and the actual imaging files. Include referral and authorization information when required for the patient’s claim.
During the consultation, I review the history, perform an appropriate physical and neurological examination, evaluate relevant imaging, and develop recommendations based on the clinical findings.
For referring offices, claims representatives, or patients unsure what documentation is needed, our team can help determine next steps before an appointment is scheduled.
Why Refer to Dr. John Villanueva?
As a double board-certified physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, my combined specialties have given me a broad perspective on spine, musculoskeletal, neurological, and functional problems.
In addition to being double-board certified, I am a Certified Life Care Planner, with advanced specialized training in assessing the long-term medical, rehabilitation, and future care needs of individuals with complex injuries and disabilities. This additional expertise further strengthens my work as a medical-legal consultant and expert medical witness.
At VIPS, workers’ compensation referrals receive the same approach we bring to every patient: careful listening, personal review of available imaging, thoughtful diagnosis, and recommendations based on what I believe is clinically appropriate.
I also use fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance for appropriate image-guided procedures and can perform EMG and nerve conduction studies when further evaluation of nerve or muscle function is needed.
Communication and Care Coordination
I also make communication with the rest of your care team a priority. When you are referred to VIPS, I review the available records and make sure my evaluation and treatment recommendations are clearly documented for the physicians and other professionals involved in your care.
For workers’ compensation cases, that may include coordinating with the referring office, primary treating physician, specialists, and other authorized members of the care team so everyone clearly understands the diagnosis, treatment plan, and next steps.
My aim is to keep care organized and reduce gaps in communication that can slow recovery or leave patients unsure about what happens next.
Workers' Compensation at VIPS
VIPS welcomes appropriate workers’ compensation referrals for pain management evaluation in Burbank.
If you are a referring physician, claims professional, or injured worker with questions about a referral, call (818) 669-8895 or contact our Burbank office. Our team can help review the referral information and determine the appropriate next step.
Workers' Compensation FAQs
Here are answers to common questions about workers’ compensation pain management at VIPS. If you have questions about a referral, call (818) 669-8895 or contact us online.
Do I need authorization before scheduling a workers' compensation appointment?
Requirements can vary depending on the claim and referral. Contact VIPS at (818) 669-8895, so our team can review the available referral information and let you know what may be needed before scheduling.
What records should be sent with a workers' compensation referral?
Relevant treatment records, imaging reports, prior procedure information, and referral or authorization documents are helpful. If possible, patients should also provide the actual MRI, CT, or X-ray images rather than only the written reports.
Does a workers' compensation referral automatically mean I will need an injection or procedure?
No. The purpose of the consultation is to determine what treatment is appropriate. Depending on the findings, I may recommend continued conservative care, further diagnostic testing, an interventional procedure, or evaluation by another specialist.
Can VIPS evaluate persistent pain after treatment for a workplace injury?
Yes, when the referral is appropriate for our practice. Persistent symptoms may warrant another look at the original diagnosis, current imaging, neurological findings, previous treatments, and whether another source of pain may be contributing.
Does workers' compensation cover pain management treatment?
Workers’ compensation may cover pain management evaluation and treatment when it is medically necessary and authorized as part of an accepted claim. Coverage can vary depending on the injury, treatment being requested, and the requirements of the claim. Our office can review the referral and authorization information we receive before scheduling treatment.
Can I see a pain management doctor while I am still in physical therapy?
Yes. Pain management and physical therapy often work together rather than replacing one another. In some cases, reducing pain or inflammation can make it easier to participate meaningfully in rehabilitation. I look at what you have already tried and whether additional treatment may help support your overall recovery.
What happens if physical therapy and medications have not helped my work injury?
If conservative treatment has not provided enough improvement, a pain management evaluation may help determine whether another source of pain has been overlooked or whether a more targeted treatment is appropriate. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include additional testing, image-guided injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or another form of interventional care.
How long does workers' compensation approval for pain treatment take?
Authorization timelines vary from case to case. They can depend on the treatment being requested, the documentation available, and the workers’ compensation process involved in your claim. Our office works with the appropriate parties to provide the clinical information needed for requested treatment, but we cannot guarantee how quickly an authorization will be issued.
Can I receive pain management treatment and still return to work?
In many cases, pain management is part of helping an injured worker improve function and move toward greater activity. Whether you can return to work, and whether any restrictions are appropriate, depends on the nature of your injury, your symptoms, your job requirements, and the recommendations of the physicians managing your claim.
What if my work injury caused pain in more than one area?
That is not unusual, especially after an accident, repetitive strain injury, or injury involving the spine. Pain in different areas can sometimes be related. For example, a lumbar spine problem may cause both back and leg symptoms. I evaluate the symptoms together so we can determine whether there is one primary source of pain or several conditions that need to be addressed.