At Coastal Pain & Spinal Diagnostics, our doctors use a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of various pain disorders. We specialize in difficult cases where patients may have given up in their search for answers to persistent pain. We value maintaining a strong relationship with our referring physicians and other healthcare providers in order to be able to provide unique treatment options tailored specifically to each patient.

We perform complete diagnostic workups, including history and physical exams, as well as medication management (if necessary). We will also arrange for physical therapy, imaging studies, and psychological and surgical consultations as needed. We include you in each step of the decision process, because an informed patient achieves the best results.

Coastal Pain physicians are fellowship-trained MDs, double-board certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology, or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our physicians are trained in all aspects of pain management, with a specialized expertise in advanced interventional pain medicine, including intrathecal therapy and neuromodulation.

Coastal Pain & Spinal Diagnostics Team of Providers

Click to watch short video bios or read about each of our providers below. 

 

Dr. Nathan Miller

Nathan A. Miller, M.D. is a pioneer in the field of pain medicine with over a decade of experience treating patients in the North County San Diego area. Dr. Nathan Miller is a well-respected, compassionate physician who strives to help his patients regain their lives. He is Chief of Pain Medicine at Scripps Memorial Hospital, Encinitas and is double-board certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine.

Dr. Miller completed his pain fellowship at the prestigious University Of Virginia pain program. He is a diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners and a Qualified Medical Examiner in the State of California.

Dr. Miller is at the forefront in the treatment and management of a wide variety of acute and chronic pain disorders. He is a strong proponent of a multi-disciplinary approach in pain management to improve outcome and increase quality of life. With his knowledge and the use of advanced medicine, he has been able to help many patients who had little hope of a functional life. Dr. Miller specializes in difficult cases where other pain doctors have given up. He continues to stay current in the field of pain management and studies peer-review medical journals and literature. He is noted by his colleagues for his strong commitment to ethical patient care and compassion. He practices evidenced-based pain management.

Dr. Nathan Miller is a native of southern California and dedicated to increase awareness in pain management. In his free time, he enjoys bicycling and spending time with his family.


Dr. Yogesh Patel

Yogesh V. Patel, M.D. (“Dr. Yogi Patel”) has dedicated his life to the eradication of pain. Dr. Yogesh Patel practices evidence based medicine and the multi-disciplinary approach to pain management, giving his patients the most options and the best care possible. He has helped many patients with difficult and advanced debilitating pain conditions.

Dr. Patel is double board certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine from the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Patel is admired by his colleagues and adored by his patients. Dr. Patel trained at UCSD, one of the highest rated interventional pain fellowship programs in the country. There he trained with pioneers in the field of Pain Medicine, and developed a strong interest in patient education and prevention. At UCSD, he received outstanding acknowledgement in excellent patient care.

Dr. Patel is the founder of MyPainTools, a chronic pain education and prevention program. He feels that knowledge is empowerment, and that educated patients have the best chance for a pain-free lifestyle. Along with MyPainTools, he is actively developing programs to bring support groups and community education opportunities to North County. Dr. Patel has also worked extensively with other physicians and has placed strong emphasis on developing a strong working relationship with referring physicians with the end result of providing excellent and timely patient care.

Dr. Yogesh Patel is at the forefront in the advances in pain management. He has a strong interest in research as well as the development of new and innovated treatments and techniques in pain medicine. He is dedicated to Coastal Pain’s mission to bring the highest quality, and compassionate pain services to North County. In his free time Dr. Patel devotes his time to his family, his many animals, and outdoor activities.


Dr. Ankush Bansal

Dr. Ankush Bansal is a double board-certified Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Physician (through the American Board of Anesthesiology) that has devoted his career to understanding complex and difficult-to-treat painful conditions. He has helped numerous patients with incapacitating pain improve their quality of life and regain function. He is actively involved in ongoing clinical research and multiple national medical societies including American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Society of Regional Anesthesia, and North American Neuromodulation Society. He has published articles in peer-reviewed medical journals including the Pain Medicine Journal. He is continually striving to find new and effective ways to treat chronic pain.

Dr. Bansal completed his undergraduate training at the University of Michigan where he studied the impact of exercise, nutrition, and movement on the human body. He completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Michigan Medical School. After enduring a chronic painful neck injury, he moved to Los Angeles to specialize in Anesthesiology and Chronic Interventional Pain Management through the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) where he was mentored by some of the most renown figures in the field of Pain Medicine.

In the summer of 2018, he joined Coastal Pain Medical Group. He is dedicated to their mission of bringing the highest quality and compassionate pain services to their patients. He currently has medical and surgical privileges at Scripps Memorial Encinitas Hospital and Tri-City Medical Center. He has a particular interest in treating neck, back, trunk, pelvis, shoulder, hip, and knee pain through various medical, interventional, and regenerative techniques. In his free time, he loves spending time with family, traveling, running, and enjoying San Diego.


Dr. Evan Goodman

  Dr. Evan Goodman joined Coastal Pain & Spinal Diagnostics in the Summer of 2020 following his residency in anesthesiology (2019) and fellowship in pain medicine (2020) at the University of Chicago. He has published numerous articles, and contributed to peer-reviewed medical journals including the Annals of Emergency Medicine. He completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (2015).

Dr. Goodman has made it his career-focus to understanding and treating patients who suffer from chronic pain and continues to move forward in the ever-changing world of healthcare by staying up to date on the latest, breakthrough and innovative treatment options. He brings a refreshing and calming demeanor to his practice and will develop a customized treatment plan to each of his patients.  In his off-time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, in the beautiful, coastal town of La Jolla.


Dr. Erin Lawson

Dr. Erin Lawson is double board certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, having completed residency and fellowship training at Emory University School of Medicine.  She has edited several textbooks of chronic pain conditions and is a question author for the American Board of Anesthesiology’s pain medicine program.  Dr. Lawson brings both a comprehensive knowledge base and compassionate approach to the treatment of chronic pain.  She uses an interventional approach to treat many chronic pain conditions including sciatica, spinal pain, joint pain, and migraines.  Dr. Lawson believes in tailoring the approach to each individual patient, and uses a gentle technique with procedures.  When not at work, you’ll find her with her kids cheering at the soccer fields, building rock towers at the beach, or bribing them with skittles to hike the beautiful San Diego outdoors.