Michael Y. Chang, D.O.

Michael Y. Chang, D.O., is the first osteopath to be a MOS associate. He is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, fellowship trained in pain management.

Dr. Chang specializes in physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation), sports medicine and pain management. Physiatry not only employs the usual tools of medicine, but also uses physical agents and therapeutic exercise in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that produce pain, impairment and disability.

Dr. Chang completed his undergraduate work at University of California, Berkeley, graduating with high honors. His hometown role models influenced his decision to choose osteopathy because of its holistic approach to treatment. Dr. Chang earned his degree as Doctor of Osteopathy at Western University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, California.

While completing his internship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino, he was named Intern of the Year. Following his tenure as Chief Resident in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Chang completed a fellowship in pain management at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

His decision to join Muir Orthopaedic Specialists was based on the group’s organized, professional and collegial environment. As a newer member of the MOS team, Dr. Chang contributes his more recent experience in technology and treatment options. His foundation in osteopathy and musculoskeletal medicine adds to MOS’s expertise with a myriad of tools to treat the whole patient both in mind and in body.

Dr. Chang’s primary focus is on both diagnostic and therapeutic treatments of the spine. His repertoire of treatments for low back pain includes minimally invasive approaches such as kyphoplasty and spinal cord stimulation, a newer and innovative technique. In elderly patients with chronic pain due to osteoporotic or compression fractures and other conditions, kyphoplasty, along with other therapies, is effective in eliminating the pain. The minimally invasive procedure involves the use of a balloon to restore the vertebral body height and shape, followed by bone cement to strengthen the spine.

Spinal cord stimulation, a procedure that uses an electrical current to treat chronic pain, may be an option for those patients who have tried and failed with other pain management treatments. With this treatment, a small pulse generator implanted in the spine transmits electrical pulses to the spinal cord.

Dr. Chang is dedicated to his continuing education and research. His article on occupational low back pain was published in Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, August 2006. He has presented at education conferences of the Association of Academic Physiatrists and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation on topics of chronic low back pain and lower extremity weakness.

Dr. Chang is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a member of several other professional associations, including the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation the International Spinal Interventional Society and American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

Approach to Treatment

Dr. Chang’s genuine concern for the patient’s comfort and well-being is based on his belief that treating the patient, not just the condition, produces the best results and that pain management is a partnership endeavor. Integrating holistic medicine, a “patient-first” approach and independent, innovative thinking, he works to improve quality of life, leading patients to their best physical, functional, emotional, and psychosocial well-being.

After being away from Northern California for several years, Dr. Chang and his family are pleased to return to the Bay Area. They look forward to enjoying the beautiful hiking and biking trails, as well as the close proximity to Tahoe in the winter.

Curriculum Vitae

GROUP AFFILIATION:
Muir Orthopaedic Specialists

OFFICE LOCATIONS:
2405 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

5201 Norris Canyon Road #300
San Ramon, CA 94583

350 John Muir Parkway, Suite 100
Brentwood, CA 94513

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Adjunct Professor; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Vallejo, California

EDUCATION:
7/2006- 7/2007
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Fellowship, Pain Management
Department of Anesthesia
Loma Linda, California

7/2003-7/2006
Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine
Residency
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
New York, New York

7/2002-7/2003
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Traditional Rotating Internship
San Bernardino, California

8/1998-5/2002
Western University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathy
Pomona, California

8/1993-5/1997
University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Molecular Cell Biology and Environmental Studies
Berkeley, California

HONORS & AWARDS:
3/2006 – Selected to AAP Resident Physician Council Fellows Chairman. Fellowship
6/2005 – Selected Chief Resident. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Training Program
2/2005 – Selected to AAP Resident Physician Council Membership Chairman. Residency
9/2004 – Selected Inpatient Chief Resident. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Training Program
8/2003 – Selected to Committee of Intern and Residents at Bellevue Hospital. Residency
6/2003 – Intern of the Year 2002. Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
5/1997 – Graduated with High Honors. University of California, Berkeley

BOARDS:
COMLEX Step 1: Passed 2000
COMLEX Step 2: Passed 2002
COMLEX Step 3: Passed 2003
Part 1 American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Exam: Passed 2006
Part 2 American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Exam: Passed 2007
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Pain Subspecialty Exam: Passed 2008

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:
11/2009
International Spinal Interventional Society Clinical Anatomy and Imaging Course, San Francisco, Ca

3/2008
International Spinal Interventional Society Cervical Spine Injection Course, Phoenix, Az

7/2007
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course, Rochester, Minnesota

11/2006
National implanting Physician Workshop, Denver, Colorado.
This hands-on course reviewed various diagnostic and treatment techniques involving implantable therapies including neurostimulation and intrathecal drug delivery

10/2006
Spinal Cord Stimular Workshop, Medical Education and Research Institute, Memphis, Tennessee.
This hands-on course reviewed various diagnostic and treatment techniques involving implantable therapies including neurostimulation.

9/2006
Spinal Cord Stimulator workshop, University of California, San Diego.
This hands-on course reviewed various diagnostic and treatment techniques involving implantable therapies including neurostimulation.

6/2006
Completed over 200 Electro-diagnostic Studies at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation.
Performed electro-diagnostic examination on a variety of diagnoses.

4/2005
An Interactive Physiatric Approach to the Management of Lumbar Spine Disorders, New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Non-pharmacologic management of lumbar spine disorders including physical therapy and acupuncture were discussed at this conference.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS:
Chang M, Minkoff E, Fish D, Pham Q, Pain location as a predictor of outcome in chronic low back pain patients undergoing spinal injections, poster presentation, 39th Association of Academic Physiatrist annual education conference, Fort Lauderdale, Fl, 2003

Chang M, Deporto R. Abstract: The therapeutic challenge of antiphospholipid syndrome resulting in right below elbow amputation and left sided flaccid hemiparesis: a case study, Poster presentation, 65th American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation annual meeting, Phoenix Az, 2004.

Chang M, Poulos P, Rehabilitation of unilateral lower extremity weakness due to lumbar epidural abscess caused by Pott’s disease: a case study, poster presentation, 41st Association of Academic Physiatrist annual education conference, Tucson, Az, 2005

Vad V, Antony A, Chang M, Outcome study: Facet cyst decompression after 2 year follow-up. Work-in-progress.

Feinberg J, Antony A, Chang, M, Calicific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle, submitted for publication, 2006

Nadler S, Stitik, T, Chang M, Occupational low back pain: History and physical examination. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. Aug 2006.

Chang M, Ahn J, The Therapeutic Challenge of Gastrocnemius Vein Thrombosis: An Unusual Case Study. Poster presentation 42nd Association of Academic Physiatrist annual education conference, Daytona Beach, Fl, 2006
Chang M, Non-Surgical Management of Low Back Pain, John Muir Health Orthopadic Update, Concord, California, June 2008.

Chang M, Be Healthy Challenge: Keeping your back in shape through exercise and nutrition, Bone and Health Fair, Concord, California, Sept 2008

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEDICAL LICENSES :
Association of Academic Physiatrist
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Society of Interventional Pain Physician
International Spinal Interventional Society
Current state licenses in California, and Florida