Frequently Asked Questions

New patients are typically seen within 1–2 weeks, with most appointments available within 3 days. We work hard to accommodate patients who are in significant pain as quickly as possible. Call (918) 369-5511 to schedule.

Your first visit typically takes 45–60 minutes and includes a thorough medical history review, physical examination, review of any imaging you bring, discussion of your pain goals, and a proposed treatment plan. See our new patients guide for full details on what to bring and how to prepare.

Absolutely. Many patients find it helpful to bring a spouse, family member, or trusted friend to appointments, whether for support, a second set of ears, or transportation after a procedure. If you're having a procedure with sedation, a driver is required.

A referral is not always required, but some insurance plans (particularly HMOs) may require one. We recommend checking with your insurance carrier. If your plan requires a referral, your primary care physician can fax one directly to our office at (918) 369-5512.

Our clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm. We are closed Saturday and Sunday. For urgent after-hours medical concerns, please contact your primary care physician or go to the nearest emergency room.

Our clinic is located at 8556 E 101st St, Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74133, near the intersection of 101st Street and Memorial Drive in South Tulsa. We serve patients from across the metro including Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, and Claremore.

We accept Medicare, BCBS of Oklahoma, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Community Care, and many additional plans. We do not currently accept Medicaid or SoonerCare. For a complete list and to verify your specific plan, see our insurance page or call our office.

The cost of a self-pay consultation depends on the complexity of your workup and clinical needs. Please call our office at (918) 369-5511 for specific pricing information, our team will give you a clear estimate based on your situation.

Yes. We handle workers' compensation cases for work-related injuries, including back injuries, neck injuries, and repetitive strain conditions. Our office will coordinate with your employer's insurance carrier to facilitate your care.

Yes. We treat patients injured in auto accidents and other personal injury cases, including whiplash, cervical sprains, and spinal injuries. We work with attorneys and insurance carriers to streamline your care.

Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary interventional pain procedures including epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and radiofrequency ablation. Some procedures (such as PRP therapy) may not be covered. Our office will verify coverage and obtain any required prior authorizations before your procedure.

Interventional pain management uses minimally invasive, image-guided procedures, such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and nerve stimulation - to target the specific source of pain. It is an alternative to long-term medication reliance or invasive surgery.

Yes, when clinically appropriate. However, Dr. Bhakta focuses on a well-rounded, multi-disciplinary approach that tackles the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms with medication. Pain medications are used as one tool within a broader interventional strategy, not as the default answer. Our goal is to reduce or eliminate your need for ongoing medication through targeted procedural care.

Most interventional procedures are well-tolerated with local anesthetic and, when appropriate, mild sedation. Patients typically describe the discomfort as brief and minor compared to the chronic pain they gain relief from. Dr. Bhakta uses fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance for precision and comfort.

Relief from an epidural steroid injection varies by patient and condition, most patients experience significant relief for 3 to 6 months, though some get longer-lasting benefit. For many patients with radicular pain, a series of injections combined with physical therapy provides lasting improvement.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) typically provides 6 to 18 months of relief, with many patients reporting significant reduction in chronic facet joint pain. The procedure can be repeated if nerves regenerate and pain returns.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy harnesses your body's own healing factors by concentrating your platelets and injecting them into damaged joints or tendons. It's particularly effective for chronic tendinitis, tennis/golfer's elbow, plantar fasciitis, and certain joint conditions. Dr. Bhakta will determine whether PRP is appropriate based on your specific diagnosis.

It varies by procedure. Trigger point injections and some nerve blocks may provide immediate relief. Steroid injections generally take 3–7 days to reach full effect as the anti-inflammatory medication works. PRP and regenerative therapies often take several weeks as the body's healing response builds.

No. Most interventional procedures are performed under local anesthetic, sometimes with mild conscious sedation for patient comfort. This means faster recovery, fewer side effects, and you can typically return home the same day.

Most interventional procedures involve minimal downtime, patients can typically return to light activity the same day and full activity within 24–48 hours. Specific recovery instructions depend on the procedure and will be reviewed with you in detail.

Dr. Bhakta treats a wide range of chronic pain conditions including back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, facet joint syndrome, degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, sacroiliac joint pain, and limb pain conditions such as shoulder, hip, and knee pain.

Sciatica is often treatable and does not have to be permanent. Many cases resolve with conservative care or interventional treatments such as epidural steroid injections that reduce nerve inflammation. Early evaluation helps prevent chronic nerve irritation.

No. Most herniated discs can be managed non-surgically. Interventional treatments like epidural injections are highly effective, and many discs heal on their own over time. Surgery is typically reserved for cases with progressive neurological deficits.

Yes. Dr. Bhakta offers Botox for chronic migraines (FDA-approved for this indication), as well as treatments for cervicogenic headaches caused by upper cervical facet joint issues.

Proper diagnosis requires clinical evaluation. Sciatica typically causes pain radiating from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg, often with tingling or numbness. Other conditions (like sacroiliac joint pain, hip pathology, or facet joint syndrome) can mimic sciatica. Dr. Bhakta uses physical examination, imaging review, and sometimes diagnostic injections to pinpoint the exact source.

Yes. Dr. Bhadresh L. Bhakta is board certified and has maintained that certification for decades. He is fellowship-trained in Pain Medicine at Vanderbilt University, and formerly served as Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine.

Dr. Bhakta has been practicing in Tulsa since 2000, over 25 years of interventional pain medicine experience. He played a pivotal role in helping establish the St. Francis Health System Pain Department and has treated tens of thousands of patients throughout his career.

PDTC is an independent, physician-owned practice, not a corporate chain or high-volume center. Dr. Bhakta personally sees and treats every patient, with total autonomy over your care plan. No cookie-cutter protocols, no corporate quotas. Every patient is heard, never rushed, and receives a treatment strategy tailored to their specific situation.

Yes. We value our referring physician partnerships. Healthcare providers can fax patient demographics, records, and recent imaging to (918) 369-5512. See our physician referral page for full details.

Interventional pain medicine requires hands-on physical examination and in-person procedures, so new patient consultations are conducted in our office. Call (918) 369-5511 to discuss your options.

While pain medication can be a component of treatment for certain clinical indications, our practice focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach aimed at reducing dependency through advanced interventional procedures. Dr. Bhakta follows strict clinical guidelines for medication management to ensure patient safety and long-term well-being. Our goal is to address the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms.

You can request a consultation by calling (918) 369-5511, emailing intake.pdtc@gmail.com, or completing our online intake form. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm.