Dr. Jonathan Carlson, MD

Dr. Carlson has successfully relieved my persistent lower back pain that occurred after discectomy surgery over four years ago. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) is the only treatment that has significantly reduced the pain from chronically inflamed medial branch nerves within the facet joints of my lower lumbar region. This relief has lasted for four months, allowing me to successfully improve the strength and mobility the muscles that support these joints. This physical therapy will provide long term improvements in my condition that could prevent future pain from recurring. My relief continues to this day, and RFA can be repeated if needed.

I sought him out for severe, debilitating back pain. Dr. Carlson was highly recommended by my PT, so after years of coping, I decided to give it a go. Now, I am almost pain free for the first time in YEARS! Dr. Carlson listened patiently to my concerns & addressed them promptly with a treatment plan of attack! His communication style is abrupt, a straight shooter, which I appreciate! His staff have always been courteous and professional, even tho they are super busy and abused by grumpy patients all day! When visiting the office there was a reasonable amount of wait time, usually about 20 - 30 mins (sometimes less), just like most health care providers on island; so I plan for it. Thank you Dr. Carlson and staff for your respectful service and effective treatment! Thank you Dr. Carlson for your compassion, patience, and especially your expertise! Your treatment was spot on and I can actually live life again! I cannot express how grateful I am!!!

I have my life back. After spinal fusion surgery I got CRPS. After 16 months of extreme pain and little to no relief from any treatments, I was referred to Dr Carlson at Hawaii Pain & Spine. Dr. Carlson was accepting, compassionate, concerned, thorough and determined to set a plan that ultimately led to a DRG implant. It's been 4 months since the implant and I no longer need a walker or a cane to go out and about and will soon be going International for my 30th anniversary. I have a nearly completely pain free life now thanks to Dr. Carlson and the staff at Hawaii Pain & Spine.Mahalo Nui LoaGina K

Not sure why the negative reviews. Dr. Carlson took me as a patient when none of the spinal neurosurgeons I contacted in Honolulu would even try to help my spinal stenosis. The neurosurgeon that my PCP referred me to told me that I was 80 years old and not worth fixing, offered no alternatives to surgery, and when we tried to get appointments with other spinal neurosurgeons, none would give me an appointment. During our first appointment with Dr. Carlson, we discussed the various treatments available, ranging from pain management to minimally invasive corrective measures such as the Boston Scientific procedure called Vertiflex. We have started with NSAIDs and an epidural injection, and that has greatly reduced the discomfort and made life much more livable. Thank you.

I did NOT see the provider because they would not give me an appointment, even just to meet him!!

Dr Carlson is the most unprofessional Dr I've ever dealt with. Saw this coming when last year I had to walk out after my first appointment after waiting for over an hour and a half in a room and not told of any delay. Subsequent appointments were usually at least 20 minutes if not 30 to 45 minutes late before seeing him . At least appointments with his practitioner nurse were mostly on time and she is terrific. Care quality by the staff is good but he is just very mechanical and arrogant-and that shows in his attitude. More an atmosphere of treatment factory than health care. Had a follow-up telemedicine visit scheduled for today at 8 o'clock --at 7:50. I got a call from his staff reminding me to be ready to go at 8 and they would call when he got in and was ready. At 8:30 I still have not heard from him or his staff. I happened to be in the building for another appointment at 9 o'clock so I asked the staff if I could just walk down there and do it in person to which they said yes. Walked down, waited ~10 minutes. He showed up acting very agitated, and started lecturing me about making an exception for seeing me in person when it was supposed to be a telemedicine visit. I offered that my telemedicine appointment was over 30 minutes ago and if it had been on time we would've been able to telemedicine but I have to go to 9 o'clock appointment across the way. He blew up and in a furious rage said "I'm not dealing with this. " You're no longer patient of mine --get out of here. As I picked up my stuff and started to leave, he was down the hall and yelled for me to leave or he was calling the police. As I was leaving he raged about it being his private practice and I was no longer a patient. If you have time to burn, and like arrogant, loud voice, yelling doctors, with average treatment this is the place for you It is a common staff joke there that you will never be seen on time and at best expect him to be 20 minutes late if not longer. There are plenty of other options here on island stay away from this one.

I agree with some of the other negative interviews. However, my experience with Dr. Carlson cost me 8 days flat on my back in the hospital with two chest tubes. This took place in January of 2017. During a procedure to diminish pain in my thoracic area for two herniated discs, he punctured my right lung. He left me at the out patient facility knowing that my blood pressure was extremely high and I mean HIGH. Sent me home and I was in extreme pain that day. When I tried to lay down I could not breathe. Was taken to ER and it was determined almost immediately that my lung was punctured. I had no recourse against him because I signed a Consent Form to have the procedure. This took place in Glendale, AZ.

Dr Carlson accomplished what two other treatments at other centers could not (in fact, one other Center damaged a nerve that was perfectly healthy). Dr Carlson had me walking, standing, sitting, doing everything pain free.

Met him for the first time today he's rude,arrogant and has no compassion. He's not interested in what I had to say or know as a patient and apparently enjoys belittling people behind their back after he walks out of the room and cracking a joke with his staff about the patient.

Getting a appointment was worse than having teeth pulled. I visited the office at t which time i was treated with disrespect. I cancelled the appointment and went to Nova Spine. Wow I was treated by Dr. Baker and Dr. Morales. I was treated with dignity and respect. I was seen the very next day as I was in pain. Oh yes the phone is answered promptly without a 20 minute hold time. I am glad I cancelled the appointment and found caring doctors.

If I could I'd give negative scores. I've never been treated so horrible by anyone let alone a supposed healthcare provider.. He is beyond rude. I never met Dr. Carlson until he stormed in right before my procedure, never introduced himself, became very irritated when I asked questions he wouldn't answer them. Then 'refused to do the procedure and dismissed me from his clinic'. I had to ask his nurse who he was afrer he belittled me and was so unprofession. Waste of time.

Dr. Carlson practices in a pain clinic and is cocky and rude. He did not introduce himself and I felt "sold" by him. I've never had a doc make me feel so uncomfortable. I would NOT recommend this man or Arizona Pain Specialists where he practices. Both garbage. Don't waste your time or energy.

Dr. Carlson has been instrumental in giving me my life back. He has taken care of me for many years. I have had two spinal surgeries and still have residual pain. Together we have explored many options for helping me reduce my pain such as epidurals, ablations, medication management & most recently spinal cord stimulation. He is a big believer in treating the whole patient and therefore keeps a close eye on my overall health, including my emotional well being. I highly recommend him.

Dr. Carlson may be a great pain doctor but you have to see him first. I never did. I filled all my forms out, came in on time, gave my insurance info, and then sat in a hard wooden chair for over an hour. As someone with chronic pain, sitting like this is almost impossible. After 45 minutes, I Told an MA I needed to leave in 30 minutes for another appointment. They were "waiting for a room", but a dozen patients came in and were seen as I sat. I finally left after 75 min without being seen.

I was in extreme pain when I went to my 1st appt. but did not ask for any pain meds. When I went to my second appt. I basically was told I was lying about my pain. They did not even take the time to check out what was wrong with me or give me the chance to tell them I had gone to a neurologist. Actually I had 2 crushed vertebrae, a fractured rib, I was bleeding internally and had severe neurological issues. I have never been treated so badly by a doctors office. There is so much more I could say

This was the first time in my life I ever saw a doctor who did not speak to me - at all. I was wheeled into the procedure room, Dr. Carlson was talking to someone about golf, and the only thing he said to me the entire time was, Little pinch when he injected the local. Otherwise, he didn't explain, greet, say good-bye, discuss or speak to me, period.