Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH
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Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
4.6
161 ratings
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Spine Center |
1131 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100 Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-319-3475
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About

Allen S. Chen, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAPMR, is a double-board-certified physiatrist specializing in non-operative and minimally invasive treatments of the spine. He is an Associate Professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery and specializes in the treatment of spine and musculoskeletal conditions, with an emphasis on evidence-based care and without the use of opioids. He also serves as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Co-Director of the UCLA/West Los Angeles VA Pain Medicine Fellowship. He has treated collegiate and professional athletes, including UCLA Athletics, the Los Angeles Chargers, the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as high-profile individuals in the music and entertainment industries, business leaders, and physicians.

Dr. Chen completed his undergraduate education at Harvard University, earned his MPH from UCLA, his MD from NYU, and his MBA from Boston University. He completed his residency at the University of Washington and an ACGME Pain Medicine fellowship at UCLA/West LA VA. Prior to his position at UCLA, Dr. Chen served as the Chief of Non-Operative Spine at the Och Spine Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, where he played a central role in the development of a large multidisciplinary spine program.Dr. Chen has delivered more than 100 scientific and educational presentations across the U.S., Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America and has served as faculty or course director for more than 25 advanced spine intervention courses. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) and as Chair of its Education Division. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Section of the North American Spine Society (NASS) and has twice served as Co-Chair of the NASS Annual Meeting. He has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, chapters and abstracts, including in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Spine Journal. Dr. Chen has been interviewed or featured by numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Reuters, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Refinery29, Reader's Digest, and WNYC Public Radio.

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certification

Pain Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2010

Fellowship

Pain Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 2010

Residency

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Washington School of Medicine, 2009

Internship

Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, 2006

Degrees

MBA, Boston University, 2024
MD, New York University School of Medicine, 2005
MPH, UCLA School of Public Health, 2000

Recognitions

Locations

UCLA Health Spine Center
Santa Monica

Spine Center

Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine| Spinal Cord Injury Medicine| Spine Surgery
+2 more specialties
Location Details

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Medical Services

Spine Care

Research

Interests

Interventional Spine

Regenerative Medicine

Publications

Publications

  1. McCormick Z, Hurley R,  Anitescu M, Bhaskar A, Bhatia A,  Cassidy R, Chen A, et. al. Consensus practice guidelines on sacroiliac joint complex pain from a multispecialty, international working group. Pain Medicine, Volume 26, Issue 12, December 2025, Pages 817–917
  2. Christolias G, Luo H, Schneider B, Thomas J, Whittier S, Singh J, Chen A, Solberg J, Ehsanian R.  Assessing the Efficacy of Alcohol Swabbing in Preventing Bacterial Colonization of Single-Use Vials: A Pilot Study. Cureus 17(8): e90512. Aug 2025. Doi:10.7759/cureus.90512
  3. Chen A, Droessler J, Leet J, Schneider B, Teramoto M, Abdullah N, Fogarty A, McCormick Z. Physician compensation rates and gender disparities in interventional spine and pain practices: Insights from a Spine Intervention society survey study. Interv Pain Med. April 2025 16;4(2):100583. doi: 10.1016/j.inpm.2025.100583. PMID: 40292179; PMCID: PMC12032310.
  4. Chen A. Nanda U, Solberg J, Rand E, Christolias G, Singh JR. Comparison of curved and straight tip radiofrequency cannula deflection in a ballistic model. Interv Pain Med. 2024 Jul 31;3(3):100429. doi: 10.1016/j.inpm.2024.100429. PMID: 39502899; PMCID: PMC11536291.
  5. Chen A, Leet J, Schneider B, Teramoto M, Abdullah N, McCormick Z. Physician Turnover Rates and Job Stability in Interventional Spine and Pain Practices: Results of an IPSIS Survey Study.  Interv Pain Med. 2024 Mar 2;3(1):100392. doi: 10.1016/j.inpm.2024.100392. PMID: 39239490; PMCID: PMC11373060.
  6. Moheimani R, Arastoo S, Lowder R, Reddy R, Kim H, Chen A, Pangarkar S. A survey of pain physicians: Needlesticks injuries. Pain Pract. 2023 Jul;23(6):626-630. doi: 10.1111/papr.13230. PMID: 37067198
  7. Chen A, Brown M, Buser Z, Arekelyan A, Shamie N, Holly L, Liu J, Wang J. A Tale of Two Institutions: COVID-19 Positive Rates in Asymptomatic Patients Pre-Screened for Spine Procedures and Surgeries in Los Angeles, California. Global Spine Journal 12/2021.  doi: 10.1177/21925682211057489. PMID: 34870486.
  8. Chen A, Solberg J, Smith C, Chi M, Lowder R, Christolias G, Singh JR. Intraarticular Platelet Rich Plasma vs Corticosteroid Injections for Sacroiliac Joint Pain – A Double Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Medicine Nov 2021, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnab332.
  9. Xu E, Lee C, Pritzl S, Chen A, Lohmueller T, Cohen B, Chan E, Schuck PJ. Infrared-to-ultraviolet upconverting nanaoparticles for COVID-19-related disinfection applications. Optical Materials: X. 12 (2021) 100099.
  10. Chen A, Miccio VF, Smith CC, Christolias GC, Blanchard, AR. Procedural Pain During Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks With and Without Skin Wheal Anesthesia: A Prospective Comparative Observational Study. Pain Medicine. 2019 Apr 1;20(4):779-783

Invited Lectures

National

  • Chen, A, “Thoracic Anatomy and Clinical Evaluation.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Winter Seminar, San Juan, PR. 2/26
  • Chen, A, “Post-Injection Complication Management.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Winter Seminar, San Juan, PR. 2/26
  • Chen, A, “Pathophysiology and Patient Selection for Basivertebral Nerve Ablation.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Winter Seminar, San Juan, PR. 2/26
  • Chen A, “Facet and Sacroiliac Joint PRP Intraarticular Injections.” North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Spine Summit. Lake Tahoe, CA. 2/25
  • Chen A, “Start, disappearance, and resurgence of MILD/PILD.” North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Spine Summit. Lake Tahoe, CA. 2/25
  • Chen A, “Percutaneous Interventions for Headache and Neck Pain.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting. Boston, MA 9/24
  • Chen A, “Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Have a Role for Chronic Mechanical Axial Back Pain?” North American Spine Society Annual Meeting. Chicago, Il 9/24
  • Chen A, “Introduction to Radiofrequency Ablation.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Radiofrequency Course, Phoenix, Arizona 1/24
  • Chen A, “Upper Cervical Headache.”  North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA 10/23
  • Chen A, Lowder R, “PRP vs Steroid in the Sacroiliac Joint.”  North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA 10/23
  • Chen A, “Breakfast Case Discussions.” International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada. 9/23
  • Chen A, “Lumbar Facet Joint and Medial Branch Blocks.”   North American Spine Society Lumbar Injections Course, Phoenix, Arizona 1/23
  • Chen A, “Lumbar Facet Joint and Medial Branch Blocks.”   North American Spine Society Lumbar Injections Course, Phoenix, Arizona 1/23
  • Chen A, “Safety of Biologics in Interventional Spine Care.”  North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL 10/22
  • Chen A, “Lumbar Facet Joint and Medial Branch Blocks.”   North American Spine Society Lumbar Injections Course, Chicago, IL 6/22
  • Chen A, “Sacroiliac Joint Platelet Rich Plasma vs Intraarticular Steroids,” North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Spine Summit, Park City, Utah 2/22
  • Chen A, “COVID-19 Variants and Epidemiology, The Los Angeles Experience,” North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Spine Summit, Park City, Utah 2/22
  • Chen A, “Are Video Visits Here to Stay?” North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Spine Summit, Park City, Utah 2/22
  • Chen A, “Lumbar Facet Joint and Medial Branch Blocks.”   North American Spine Society Lumbar Injections Course, Phoenix, Arizona 1/22
  • Chen A, “Billing and Coding.” Spine Intervention Society Lumbar Course, Denver, Colorado, 9/21

International

  • Chen A, “Bone Density, Fractures, and Implications for Steroid Injections.” NASS International Annual Meeting: Taipei. 7/25
  • Chen A, “Using EMG and NCS to Improve Diagnosis of Symptomatic Radiculopathy and Improve Outcomes.” NASS International Annual Meeting: Taipei. 7/25
  • Chen A, “Stem Cells and PRP: Is there a Role in Treating LBP?” NASS International Annual Meeting: Taipei. 7/25
  • Chen A, “Fundamentals of Radiofrequency Ablation.” NASS International Lumbar Cadaver Course. Taipei. 7/25
  • Chen A, “Medial Branch Blocks and Radiofrequency Ablation.” Taipei, Taiwan Pre-course Webinar 4/25
  • Chen A, “Cervical Interventional Complications.” International Pain and Spine Interventional Society, Sydney, Australia 2/24
  • Chen A, “Biological repair of degenerative disc disease for lumbar spondylosis: Stem cell, PRP, and growth factors.” NASS International Annual Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand 7/23.
  • Chen A, “Facet Radiofrequency Denervation.” NASS International Annual Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand 7/23.
  • Chen A, “Efficacy and Long Term Outcomes of spinal modulation for lumbar spondylosis and axial back pain.” NASS International Annual Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand 7/23.
  • Chen A, “Bracing and Medical Treatments of thoracolumbar burst fractures.” NASS International Annual Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand 7/23.
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Lumbar Disc Herniation.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Facet Mediated Pain.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Cervical Epidural Injections for Treatment of Radiculopathy.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Discogenic Low Back Pain.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Sacroiliac Joint Pain – Diagnosis and Medical Management.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Sacroiliac Joint Pain – Diagnosis and Medical Management.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Sacroiliac Joint – Interventional Treatments.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “ Role of Facet Joints in Low Back Pain.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/22
  • Chen A, “C0-1 and C1-2 Facet Joint Injections; Anatomy, Presentation, and Technique.” IPSIS Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada 9/22
  • Chen A, “Failed Back Surgery – The Quest for a Pain Generator.” NASS/Ukraine Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Facet Mediated Pain.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ SIJ Pain, Diagnosis, and Medical Management.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Lumbar Disc Herniation.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21

National Societies

  • Board of Directors, Spine Intervention Society
  • Senior Instructor, Spine Intervention Society 
  • Instructor, North American Spine Society
  • Education Division Chair, Spine Intervention Society
  • Vice-Chair, Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Section, North American Spine Society

 

 

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of healthcare plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California, 2021-2026
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021
  • Southern California Rising Stars, Super Doctors®, 2019
  • Southern California Rising Stars, Super Doctors®, 2018