Husted, John R, PHD Interventional Pain & Physical

I was treated very poorly by ""Dr.K"". My primary doctor sent me to him and on the first appointment he agreed to take over my medications to help adjust and to get my conditions under control at the same time. He made fun of another pain clinic in St.Cloud that also travels to Alexandria that I had seen and even went as far as to tell me to turn them in for recommendations that my primary doctor had suggested of them. Then he even went as far as to tell me my primary doctor had to follow him around for getting in trouble by the medical board. He had gotten in trouble for dispensing narcotics. He then said he no longer gets referrals from the facility and took it personally. On my second visit I saw the PA and again tried to explain the majority of my pain is my shoulders, neck and arms. They had done an MRI of my spine show severe issues in my neck but started working on my lower back first. Even after asking me to split it out of 100 I stated 80 neck shoulders and arms and 20 lower back. They would not fill meds saying I would be back prior to needing them. Of coarse this didn't happen. My primary was very hesitant because they thought he took them over so I got enough for two days until I could see him. When he walked in the room he had an attitude. He was rude from the beginning. When I asked about who is supposed to fill meds he told me it wasn't his job to follow me around. I told him I had made an appointment with a surgeon that I know and trust and he again degraded him and suggested I shop around after all you don't buy the first car you buy. This man was nothing but pompous. If you want to do everything his exact way he may be your man. But, if for any reason you may question something he will treat you like a second class citizen. I have had multiple reactions to shots in my neck, and at the dentist every single time. I'm not keen on putting one In my spinal canal of my neck. He said that general practitioners are not the same as he is. Might be true, but it happens at the dentist too and I ended up with 6 mg Ativan IV, a locked jaw and breathing at 60 times a minute. Also high blood pressure and pulse. I ask you would you want to risk that? Does he have a set up to save my life if it happened? I doubt it. I'd be dead before I made it to the hospital. No thank you. This man thinks he's god. There is only one of those! He comes no where close to that! If you are looking for a pain clinic to help you out go to a different one. Since I have been to this guy, I've had many physicians, and surgeons tell me they will not refer to him. Now I know exactly why. Save your time and money and find someone that cares more about you then his own ego! more

I am very thankful to Dr. K and IPPMC for their excellent care. I have been reating with them for years now. I am very happy with IPPMC. more

Since I started coming to IPPMC I have gotten my life back! My mom has said that I am back to the “old” me, which has been about five years. I have received physical therapy with Allen, injections from Dr. Kowalkowski, as well as being placed on a Suboxone program. I am currently feeling 100% improved and the new facility is fantastic! more

My husband has had back pain for over the last 10 years to the point that he was so miserable. He was unable to get from the house to the car. He was using a walker occasionally. It also affected his mood. We were seen at IPPMC and comprehensive program was created, in which he was treated by the behavioral health specialist who helped us with medication that changed our mood. Dr. Kowalkowski created a rehabilitation plan, in which after a few visits, he has had about 80% relief. It has been a miracle for him.\r more

I have had back pain for over five years. I had a T11 compression fracture that was thought to be congenital, as well as a spinal syrinx. I had enough pain that I underwent a T10-11 posterior fusion. After my surgery I underwent 8 weeks of physical therapy, 3 times a week. I still had no relief. Previous to my surgery, I underwent five years of therapy and multiple doctor visits. After one visit at IPPMC with Dr. Kowalkowski I have never had so much pain relief. The staff is so helpful, understanding, and truly cares. more

I've seen a few ""Pain Doctors"" in my time and Dr. K & IPPMC ranks far above them all. more

I have been in 23 major motorcycle accidents. I have had four major spine surgeries with hardware and screws placed. Eventually all of my hardware was removed. I have had pain since I was 18 years old. I was to the point that I could barely walk, yet alone work. But I had to work. Despite the pain. I have been treated at the University of Massachusetts, Merrimack, New Hampshire Pain Clinic, MAPS Pain Clinic and different family practitioners. I am now currently being treated at Interventional Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic. Of all the places I have been, seeking pain management, this is the only place that has given me any relief. I have received 60% improvement in my pain to date. This has allowed me to improve my ability to walk and work. I currently work three jobs. My wife states that I am walking much better! more

Dear Dr. Kowalkowski, I wanted to sincerely thank you for helping to manage my pain the last year. I couldn more

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for working me into your schedule. On that day I could not get out of bed without rolling onto my knees and working my way up. What you did for me was a miracle and I am back on my feet! I also appreciate your humble, straight-forward, human attitude. It makes for much easier communication. Thank you! more

I have been dealing with chronic TMJ for over ten years. I have seen multiple doctors and have received multiple treatments. My pain had progressed to a point of wanting to seek help at Mayo Clinic since I was unable to function normally. I had also begun developing back pain. Because of my pain I could not take walks like I used to and I had head symptoms that were affecting my daily function because of my jaw pain. Dr. Kowalkowski at IPPMC was my last stop before heading to Mayo Clinic. After just one month at IPPMC I have 80-90% improvement in my pain symptoms. I have worked with IPPMC physical therapy and their lumbar MedX program, as well as having Dr. Kowalkowski performed interventional treatments to my jaw and back. IPPMC has been a very positive experience. more

I presented to IPPMC after undergoing extensive workups for right-side pain, in which I developed after a breast reconstruction in 2007. I underwent 28 sessions of radiation therapy. After the surgery I developed intense pain that affected my life on every level. My life consisted of basically coming home from work and going to bed because of the pain. I was referred to IPPMC by my primary care provider and I can now say that after receiving cryotherapy that my pain is 100% improved. I am back to my normal activity level. I feel like human being again! more

I have known my wife for 20 years. I am 12 years younger. I thought she needed somebody younger to keep up with her. Through the course of dealing over the last year with her dad's health and us taking care of him, her back went out. She had not at all been herself or able to do things. After or initial evaluation with Dr. Kowalkowski and treatment, she has returned to her normal activities from four years ago. I thank you. more

I have had back pain for 28 years. For years I have sought help for my chronic lower back pain. I had seen a number of different doctors, as well as therapies, in which I received minimal relief. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, told me about IPPMC. I am very happy that I came because I have had a tremendous amount of relief. I am currently walking 2 miles per day in which I have not done that for three years. I will continue coming to IPPMC when I need help. more

I have had back pain for over five years. I had a T11 compression fracture that was thought to be congenital, as well as a spinal syrinx. I had enough pain that I underwent a T10-11 posterior fusion. After my surgery I underwent 8 weeks of physical therapy, 3 times a week. I still had no relief. Previous to my surgery, I underwent five years of therapy and multiple doctor visits. After one visit at IPPMC with Dr. Kowalkowski I have never had so much pain relief. The staff is so helpful, understanding, and truly cares. more

I have been dealing with back and leg pain for 2-3 years. It affected my ability to walk, climb stairs and activities of daily living. After trying every route, I came to Dr. K. I give Dr. K credit for finding out that I had an aortic stenosis that needed surgery. If this had been over looked I may have had deadly consequences. Since having treatment for my back and abdominal stenosis my quality of life has increased immensely. Every time I have a pain I know Dr. K is going to find out what is the basis of the problem more

Borton Volvo had some really nice models but not in the color I needed. I appreciated the effort they made trying to find the right car. more

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for working me into your schedule last Friday the 14th. I could not even get out of bed that morning without rolling out onto my knee and working my way up. What you did for me was a miracle and I am back on my feet. I also appreaciate your humble, straight forward and humane attitude. It makes for a much easier communication. Thank you again and God Bless. more

I had been dealing with complications from osteomyelitis since 1932.I came to see Dr. Kowalkowski for my stump pain, which I had for four years after my amputation. I was complaining of stump pain and phantom limb pain, which was affecting my ability to function. I was unable to work in my shop or walk on my stump because of the pain. Dr. Kowalkowski evaluated me and found out that I had a tunnel, which was fixed, as well as receiving modification of my prosthesis, and he performed interventional therapies. after a few visits, I can say that I am 95% improved. He also was able to help me with my lower back pain. more

I wanted to write a quick note to thank you for all you have done for me during the past two months. I have been so satisfied with your work and the results that I have achieved after becoming your patient. This has been a long and painful journey since my car accident in 1988. We had almost given up hope of having any enjoyment of pain free days. I am sincerely thankful that you have the knowledge and expertise to treat my chronic pain, and want to wish you and yours a safe and Happy season from my entire family. Thanks again. more

I have had back and leg pain for 11-1/2 years. I have had a total of three spine surgeries, and there was no relief from the surgeries. I was seen at another pain clinic in the Twin Cities who instantly wanted to put a pain pump in me for my pain. They kept on increasing my medication dosing, to a point I felt drugged. It did not seem to work after a while. My family physician referred me to IPPMC. Dr. Kowalkoski was very thorough and spent quality time understanding my pain. Dr. Kowalkowski created a rehabilitation plan for me. Finnaly, after 11-1/2 years, I have relief and I am happy again. The future looks bright because of this place. At this time, I want to get rid of my pain pump, which really never worked, and it was not the answer. I have been to many therapies, and this is the first therapy that worked on me and I look forward to coming. more