Arizona Pain Treatment Clinic
The AZ Pain Centers team of physicians is medically advanced in their knowledge and use of anti-inflammatory medications for the treatment of chronic pain. Our team is dedicated to helping those who suffer from pain; which is why we designed procedures that work with our body's own healing agents, not against them. The Low-Dose Steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications we use are administered by Medical Doctors, some are botanical based and all are listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) with no contraindications (side-effects). The procedures are not only safe, but they are highly effective for treating a larger scope of disorders. Our medications attack the pain by reducing swelling and resetting nerve activity of the inflamed tissue. What makes the AZ Pain Centers' procedures so unique is our treatment methods allow Doctors to treat the entire source of inflamed and damaged tissue, providing a larger pain blockage. The medications used also work synergistically with the body's chemistry to promote healing. This unique attribute can allow for better and longer results.
Our procedures are fast and do not require sedation, this allows for a more diagnostic approach to treating the pain immediately.
While no individual treatment works for every patient, our procedures have been successful in treating the following:
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine Headache
- Tension Headache
- Cluster Headache
- Low Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Hand and Wrist Pain
- Joint and Muscle Pain
- Arm and Shoulder Pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Sciatic Pain
- Herniated and Bulging Discs
- Knee Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Thoracalgia
- Stomach and Abdominal Pain
Co-founders, Cindy Gollihar, CEO and
Russ Erhardt, Director of Research & Development
Our History
The goal of pain management is to improve function, enabling individuals to work, attend school and participate in life’s daily activities that many of us take for granted. Patients and their physicians have a number of options for the treatment of pain; some treat the perception of pain at the brain level with opiates and narcotics and others treat the source by reducing inflammation and resetting nerve activity. Opiates and narcotics provide only short term relief with many side effects including addiction and gastrointestinal issues. Corticosteroid injections are used to treat the source of pain but are limited in their scope and dosage due to a host of side effects including bone and tissue degeneration, mood changes, weight gain and suppression of natural healing agents. The Doctors at AZ Pain Centers set out to find a new procedure that was not only effective, but safe, giving patients an option to typical pain management techniques. Recently their medical team developed a procedure that safely treats the “source” of pain without the typical side effects of corticosteroids or oral Low-Dose Steroidal anti-inflammatories. This amazing shift in medical pain management strategy is helping thousands return to the life they deserve.
Our Doctors
Our doctors believe in the creed which says, “A physician shall do no harm…”. We approach every procedure with the patient’s safety as our number one priority.
"Our doctors truly understand your pain"
Letter from Dr. Graham
Dr. Graham believes in AZ Pain Centers
"Welcome to AZ Pain Centers. As a pain specialist for 25 years, I have performed thousands of interventional procedures from spinal cord stimulators to narcotic infusion pumps. Through the years I have functioned from a unique perspective of not only being a pain specialist but as a fellow sufferer. I have a four level lumbar spinal fusion. My current position at AZ Pain Centers began as a patient. My personal results led me to join the team and devote the rest of my career to the techniques developed by AZ Pain Centers. It is heartwarming to see the life changing results our patients, once crippled with debilitating pain, experience every day from their treatment at AZ Pain Centers."
Dr. Cecil Graham
Cecil Graham, M.D. – Medical Director
Dr. Graham is a native of West Virginia. He graduated with his undergraduate as well as his medical degree from West Virginia University. Dr. Graham completed his residency in Anesthesiology and fellowship in Pain Management at Loma Linda Medical Center in Loma Linda, California. Since moving to Arizona, he has practiced anesthesia at several area hospitals, most recently serving as the Regional Medical Director for Clinical Partners, P.A., supervising anesthesia services for four Iasik facilities in Arizona. Dr. Graham has served as the President and founder of several medical corporations and has practiced the treatment of chronic pain for over twenty years. He is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Medical Association, the American Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Management.
Reiner Kremer, NMD, MPH
Dr. Reiner Kremer received his premedical training at Rutgers University and the National University of Health Sciences. He graduated from naturopathic medical school in 2001 from the American University of Integrative Medicine. While there, he was initially trained in interventional pain management at the Arizona Surgical Hospital by Drew Collins, ND. He has received additional training in Low-Dose Steroidal interventional procedures from Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, Harry Philibert, MD and Jeff Harris, ND. He earned a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007. With over 33 years of clinical, research and teaching experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management, Dr. Kremer believes that the physician’s role is first and foremost, “Do No Harm”. Professional memberships include the Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injection and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.
Tricia Croake-Uleman, M.D.
Dr.Tricia K. Croake -Uleman graduated in 1998 from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio and later received her BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University. Dr. Croake-Uleman completed her residency in Family Medicine at Bethesda Family Practice. She is ABMS board certified in Family Medicine and has a passion for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Dr. Croake-Uleman is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Academy of Family Medicine. She has been certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the Ohio State Medical Board since 1998, and the Arizona State Medical Board since 2006. In 2009, she became a Fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture and is trained in Reiki.
Jannessa Hussey, D.O.
Dr. Jennessa Hussey graduated medical school in 2006 from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. In 2005 she also received her Masters in Biomedical Science from Midwestern University. She completed her internship at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan in 2007. Dr. Hussey went on to complete her residency in Family Practice in 2010 at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach in California. She believes in a whole body and life approach to medicine and pain management. Dr. Hussey is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Family Practice, American Women's Medical Association, Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery and the American Academy of Pain Management.
Grant Phillips, M.D.
Dr. Grant Phillips graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska in 1999. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in 2002. Upon graduation, he became an active duty officer in the United States Air Force. While serving as an active duty physician, he studied acupuncture through the Helms Medical Institute. During his time in the Air Force, Dr Phillips performed large numbers of acupuncture treatments. In 2006, he joined a private practice in Scottsdale, AZ, where he has treated a multitude of chronic and acute conditions. He has derived a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from treating pain conditions using his procedural skills. Dr Phillips is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine.
James Miller, D.O. In Loving Memory
Dr. James Miller received both undergraduate and medical degrees in Missouri, graduating medical school in 1974. From there he moved to the Detroit area to begin his general surgery residency, completing in 1979. He practiced in southern Michigan and northern Ohio until moving to Arizona in 1988. Dr. Miller took an additional fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery here in Phoenix. Board certified in general surgery; Dr. Miller performed thousands of major surgeries and when he became a part of the team at AZ Pain Centers, found it to be an incredibly rewarding way of practicing medicine. Dr. Miller often expressed how fulfilling it was to be a part of a team that helped relieve people of chronic pain and lessen their dependence, or in many cases, completely eliminate their need for pain medication. In 2007, Dr. Miller passed away after battling brain cancer. We miss him greatly and are so thankful of the time he spent with us.
