Finding a doctor in Brooklyn who actually understands chronic pain can feel like a part-time job you didn't ask for. You’ve likely seen the name Dr. Isaac Kreizman pop up if you’ve been searching for a specialist in Sunset Park or Borough Park. He’s a big deal in the local physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) world. But if you’re trying to figure out if he’s the right fit for your specific back issue or that nagging nerve pain, the online snippets don't always give you the full picture.
Honestly, PM&R—or physiatry—is a bit of a mystery to most people. It's not just "rehab" and it's not just "pain management." It’s that sweet spot in between where a doctor tries to get your body moving again without necessarily jumping straight to a surgeon’s knife. Dr. Isaac Kreizman has been in this game for over 30 years. That’s a long time to be looking at spines and joints in New York.
Who Exactly Is Dr. Isaac Kreizman?
Let’s get the credentials out of the way because they actually matter for your safety. Dr. Kreizman is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He didn't just stumble into this; he’s got a heavy academic pedigree from some of New York’s most respected institutions.
He earned his medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai back in 1995. From there, he did the rounds: an internship in General Surgery at Lenox Hill, a residency at SUNY Downstate, and a fellowship at NYU. He’s affiliated with Maimonides Medical Center and New York Community Hospital.
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Basically, he’s a local through and through.
You’ll usually find him at P.A.R.S. Medical PC, located at 5223 9th Avenue in Brooklyn. If you’ve ever walked that stretch near the 9th Avenue D-train stop, you know it’s a busy, lived-in part of the borough. The office reflects that energy. It’s a practice that sees a lot of patients, which brings us to the "real talk" part of this guide.
The Patient Experience: The Good and the Frustrating
If you look at reviews for Dr. Isaac Kreizman Brooklyn, you’ll see a massive divide. This is typical for high-volume New York specialists, but it’s worth paying attention to.
Patients often rave about his bedside manner. He’s known for being compassionate and actually listening—a rarity when you're used to being shuffled through a waiting room like cattle. He speaks several languages, including Hebrew, Russian, and Spanish, which is a lifeline for the diverse community in Brooklyn.
But—and there is always a "but" in Brooklyn healthcare—the wait times can be brutal.
- The Wait: Some patients report being in the waiting room for quite a while.
- The Staff: There are mixed feelings about the front-desk experience.
- The Treatment: Most agree that once you actually get into the room with Dr. Kreizman, the care is top-tier.
One weird quirk some patients have mentioned? The office has historically been known to favor cash or specific payment methods for certain services, so you’ve definitely got to call ahead and clarify your insurance and payment situation before you show up.
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What Does He Actually Treat?
Dr. Kreizman isn't a general practitioner. He’s the guy you see when your body feels "stuck." He specializes in interventional pain management, which means he uses specific procedures to target the source of pain.
If you’re dealing with Radiculopathy (that sharp, radiating pain usually from a pinched nerve), he’s considered a high-volume specialist in that area. He also handles:
- Chronic low back and neck pain.
- Herniated discs that make sitting or standing a nightmare.
- Arthritis of the spine and joints.
- Fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndromes.
The toolkit he uses is pretty varied. He does Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI), nerve blocks, and trigger point injections. He’s also known for using viscosupplementation (basically "gel shots") for knee pain. The goal is simple: avoid surgery if possible. He wants to restore function, not just mask the feeling with a pill.
Why the "Physiatrist" Label Matters
A lot of people confuse what Dr. Kreizman does with what a physical therapist does. They are partners, but not the same.
As a physiatrist, Dr. Kreizman is the architect of the recovery plan. He diagnoses the structural issue using tools like EMGs (Electromyography) to see how your nerves are firing. Once he knows exactly where the "short circuit" is, he might perform an injection to calm the inflammation and then send you to physical therapy. It’s a layered approach.
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Making the Most of an Appointment
If you decide to book an appointment at the 9th Avenue office, go in prepared. Because he is a specialist who spends time with his patients, the schedule can get backed up.
- Bring your imaging: If you have an MRI or X-ray on a CD or a portal, don't assume the office can just "find it." Bring the physical disc or the report.
- Ask about the "why": Dr. Kreizman is known for explaining conditions well. If he suggests a nerve block, ask how it will change your daily mobility, not just your pain levels.
- Confirm the location: He also has a presence in Staten Island (Clove Road), so double-check which office your appointment is actually in.
Is He Right For You?
Choosing a doctor is personal. If you want a sterile, "in-and-out in 10 minutes" corporate medical experience, this might not be it. But if you want a doctor who has seen every version of a "bad back" over three decades and speaks your language, Dr. Kreizman is a solid choice.
He’s a member of the American Academy of Pain Management and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. That’s a lot of acronyms that basically mean he stays current on how to treat pain without over-relying on heavy narcotics.
In a city like New York, where everyone is rushing, finding someone who focuses on "functional restoration"—getting you back to walking the Brooklyn Bridge or just picking up your groceries without wincing—is worth the potential wait in a crowded Sunset Park office.
Practical Next Steps
- Verify Insurance: Call 718-431-2959 to ensure they accept your specific plan (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare are usually on the list, but plans change).
- Request an EMG: If you have numbness or tingling, ask if an Electromyography study is appropriate for your first or second visit.
- Prepare a Pain Diary: Note when your pain is worse (morning vs. night) to help him pinpoint the mechanical cause during your consultation.