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Dr. David Chow, MD

Dr. David Chow, MD

Pain Medicine*
25+ years of experience

Dr. David Chow, MD is a pain medicine physician in Walnut Creek, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1996. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Stanford Hospital and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Alta Bates Campus. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

2.3 Star Rating
Based on 47 reviews 2.3 Star Rating (47 reviews)

Practice

2123 Ygnacio Valley Rd Ste K200 Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Telehealth available

Make an Appointment

(925) 926-0195

At a Glance

  • Areas of Expertise
    Dr. Chow specializes in the areas of Pain Medicine & Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. • See board certifications
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ • See hospitals
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. • See hospitals
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Dr. Chow's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Chow

2.3
47 ratings, 12 with a written review
5 star
26%
26%
4 star
6%
6%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
4%
4%
1 star
64%
64%

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He was great but ive got hurt really bad and they wont see me for almost 2 months. Cant even leave a message for him
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Appointment was rushed
Helpful
Anonymous – Sep 10, 2024
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Best Doctor! Poor Staff Treatment.
I am in Virginia now and really need Dr. Chow to treat my pain. I went to him and had injection twice in 2012. It has been lasting to 2020. He is the best doctor; despite of high turnover in his staff because he hops too many hospitals. He needs just a Walnut Creek and patients will travel to him. That is money that he is making and torturing his staffs have to drive to different locations.
What went well
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
Helpful
Somjai Deginda – Aug 27, 2024
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He may seem a bit serious and all business. However he is a very competent doctor. His surgical skills are top notch. I’ve been to other doctors who doesn’t seem to know their procedures.
What went well
  • Explained conditions well
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Guy Hayashi – Feb 05, 2021
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I agree with the poor reviews. Impersonal, and seems to only care about the money. He is skilled with the injections, but thats it. His staff is some of the worst I have ever seen. He wont write a report required by OWCP even though they said they will pay for the time. My latest problem...wont write a script for the meds I have been on for years unless I take a day off work to go see him. He wants 3 month visits in case something changed...like my level of pain, which is why I need the script. I also tend to have to wait over an hour from my appointment time.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Aug 14, 2020
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Absolutely a waste of time and money! Most impersonal, unhelpful staff, office in disarray. Not very involved with your care. He is easy to get medication from but not helping the issues at hand! Has no clue about spinal implants nor their settings!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Brentwood – Jan 23, 2019
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Dr. Chow has is normally late to his office and to the surgery center. My last appointment was two hours late. I sat in pain on an old waiting room chair making it hard to stand up to walk into the exam room where I continued to wait. Dr. Chow never apologies or shows empathy as he looks like he is sleep walking. He gets huffy if you ask a question. Most of Dr. Chow's employees do not stay with him more than 6 months.
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Brentwood, CA – Sep 26, 2018
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This doctor? Is a real piece of work. Watch out for him. He disrespected my disabled wife. We are in the process of filing a formal complaint.. What he said to her is unbelievable.. He should be ashamed but he is to oblivious to people.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
12 others found this helpful
Helpful
walnut creek – Nov 16, 2017
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Dr. Chow seems to be mostly interested in getting paid. I have had good results with the injections I have received but he will not see me unless it is preapproved by the insurance carrier even though it is covered without preapproval. His bedside manner could be better. Although my injury involves my entire back and is covered by the insurance carrier, he won't treat my mid-back "unless I have another insurance" he said as he chuckled. Time for a new doctor
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
8 others found this helpful
Helpful
Janet in CA – Apr 25, 2017
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They were confused about who referred me, the forms were numerous, disorganized and were essentially photocopies of photocopies. When I showed up for my follow up, they somehow "didn't have me on the schedule". They wasted my entire day by somehow forgetting I had an appointment. As patients paying through the nose for health care, we deserve better.
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
8 others found this helpful
Helpful
Walnut Creek, CA – Apr 18, 2017
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I've been seeing Dr. David W. Chow since before 2013 for different back and neck problems. I admire his knowledge and skill and his humility. He referred me to a spine surgeon after I shattered a vertebrae in an accident because it was too complicated. I recommend everyone to him with the understanding that he's not a counselor or baby sitter. He can help you if you're honest and sincere. If you want to complain and waste his time, you're not going to get any sympathy.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Anne L in Orinda, CA – Feb 15, 2017
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Finally after years of pain and fighting the workmens comp. people, doctor Chow was able to convince them that I needed a nerve ablation. Now I am off pain medication completly and feeling a lot better. Thank you doctor Chow.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
9 others found this helpful
Helpful
N. Jones in Vacaville, CA – Aug 17, 2016
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Dr. Chow displays an arrogant demeanor and additionally made me feel like I was wasting his time.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
28 others found this helpful
Helpful
Martinez, California – Mar 01, 2016
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Know Before You Go

About Me

biography

Dr. David Chow, MD is a pain medicine physician in Walnut Creek, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1996. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Stanford...read more

  • Pain Medicine

  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania

    Fellowship Hospital, 2001

  • Oh St University Hosps

    Internship Hospital, 2000

  • Northeast Ohio Medical University

    Medical School, 1996
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation®
- 
Pain Medicine
- 
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.

Learn more about medical license public record check

  • English

  • Cantonese

  • Chief Resident, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Ohio State Univercity Medical Center, 1999-2000

  • magna cum laude with Honors, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, 1992

Healthgrades Tips for Getting Orthopedic Care

Locations

Practice

Office2123 Ygnacio Valley Rd Ste K200 Walnut Creek, CA 94598
1
Office100 Cortona Way Ste 160 Brentwood, CA 94513
2

Practice

Office2800 N California St Ste 15A Stockton, CA 95204
3
Office6600 Lone Tree Way Ste B Brentwood, CA 94513
4

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Stanislaus Surgical Hospital

    1421 Oakdale Rd
    Modesto, CA 95355
    Recipient of 5
    hospital awards

    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2023, 2022)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    91%
    Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well

    9% higher than the national average

    91%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    3% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • Stanford Hospital

    300 Pasteur Dr
    Stanford, CA 94305
    Recipient of 34
    hospital awards

    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    84%
    Patients would recommend the hospital to friends and family

    19% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • John Muir Medical Center Concord

    2540 East St
    Concord, CA 94520
    Recipient of 10
    hospital awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    87%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    3% higher than the national average

    77%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    1% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality