Meet Dr. Aaron Filler

Dr. Aaron Filler is the world’s leading expert in treatment of nerve pain. He has revolutionized nerve-pain treatment by inventing several new technologies. One such technology, MR Neurography, enables doctors to use an MRI scanner to examine nerves — previously a difficult-to-impossible tissue to see through MR imaging. Dr. Filler's research in axonal transport is leading to a whole new generation of advanced pain medications. He has developed many new “minimal access” surgery methods that allow him to treat complex nerve problems with small outpatient surgeries. He has also pioneered the use of the Open MRI scanner to do surgeries and other therapies with the ultra-high precision and safety of the magnetic resonance imaging.

At Dr. Filler's Institute for Nerve Medicine in Santa Monica, California, the key to success remains a very traditional endeavor: listening to the patient and doing a thorough and expert neurological examination. Dr. Filler typically spends more than an hour with each new patient. The results of the initial examination are then strengthened and perfected with application of advanced technology available nowhere else in the world.

Dr. Aaron Filler combines three key components in his treatment of each patient:

• Compassionate personal attention,
• Expert medical skills, and
• The best technology in the world

He combines these components to turn insoluble pain problems into specific treatable diagnoses. Prior to coming to the Institute for Nerve Medicine, many of Dr. Filler’s patients have seen a dozen doctors (or more), experienced failed surgeries, and have even had their very pain questioned. Time and again, Dr. Filler demonstrates that in many of these cases the problem is the doctor and not the patient. A cure is in reach when the best available medical care is brought to bear.

Dr. Filler has an MD from the University of Chicago, a PhD from Harvard University, and is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in England. His medical training included four years of medical school, eight years of neurosurgical training at one of the leading neurosurgery programs in the US, an additional one-year fellowship in neuroimaging at the University of London, another year of training in complex spinal surgery at UCLA and a fellowship in peripheral nerve surgery with Dr. David Kline in New Orleans. He is the inventor on ten major patents, has published more than twenty prominent scientific publications, and has done more than a hundred presentations at scientific and medical meetings. He is also the author of Do You Really Need Back Surgery? from Oxford University Press, a well-received 300-page book for the general public. He enjoys medical staff privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

 

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View Dr. Filler's Publications    click here

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Sub-Specialties	Education	Positions
Peripheral Nerve Surgery Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Piriformis Syndrome Nerve Entrapment Syndromes Brachial Plexus Disorders Spinal Neurosurgery Repair of Failed Spinal Surgeries Cervical Artifical Disk Replacement Cervical and Lumbar Spine Fusions Herniated Disks Image Guided Surgery Cranial Surgery for Pain Disorders Microvascular Decompression Trigeminal Neuralgia Torticollis Sub-Occipital Decompression for Arnold-Chiari Malformations Foramen Magnum Syndrome	BA, University of Chicago MA, University of Chicago PhD, Harvard University MD, University of Chicago Residency, University of Washington, Seattle Spine Fellowship, UCLA Peripheral Nerve Surgery Fellowship, Louisiana State University	Faculty Positions University of London, UK University of Washington, Seattle UCLA, Los Angeles Adminstrative Positions Medical Staff, Cedars Sinai Medical Center Director, Peripheral Nerve Program, Century City Hospital 2001-2003 Chief of Clinical Services, Neurography Institute Co-Director Peripheral Nerve Surgery Program, UCLA 1996 - 2001 Director, UCLA Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Program 1999-2001 Associate Director, UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center 1996-2001 Visiting Professorships University of London: Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, October, 1997 Harvard University, Beth Israel/Deaconess Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, November 1999