ALPENA — MyMichigan Health recently expanded its spine and pain program to the Alpena community. The program, located in the former Pain Clinic at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, is designed to provide patients with safe, evidence-based, minimally-invasive pain relief solutions. The program is staffed by specially-trained, board-certified providers who incorporate a variety of modalities, including physical therapy, minimally-invasive interventional procedures and medication management when appropriate.

Earlier this month, after more than 22 years of practicing medicine, Pain Medicine Specialist Teresa Griffith, M.D., made the decision to take a sabbatical to spend more time with her family and work on a research study. Jaclyn Martinez, P.A.-C., will remain with the office and join the new pain medicine specialists who include Pankaj Guglani, M.D., and Spencer Bertram, M.D., D.C.

Drs. Guglani and Bertram offer the most current procedures guided by advanced imaging techniques (ultrasound and fluoroscopy) and work to minimize the use of opioids within a patient’s treatment plan. Among the most common conditions treated include neuropathy, headaches, pinched nerves and nerve damage, pelvic pain, shingles pain, muscle spasm pain, spinal stenosis, traumatic injuries, arthritis, degenerative disc disease and persistent pain after back or neck surgery.

Dr. Guglani earned his medical degree from the University of St. Eustatius School of Medicine in Syosset, N.Y. He completed his residency in anesthesiology from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital in Little Rock and went on to complete a fellowship in interventional pain medicine from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He is board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology.

Dr. Bertram earned his chiropractic degree from Logan University in Chesterfield, Mo., and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Bridgetown, Barbados. He completed his residency in anesthesiology and internal medicine from the University of Chicago and went on to complete a fellowship in pain medicine from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He is board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology.