Interventional Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Varun Patibanda
Dual board-certified interventional pain physician serving the Monterey Peninsula and Central Coast.
I'm Varun Patibanda, M.D., D.A.B.P.M., Q.M.E.— board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPMR) and the American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM/CCPM), and a California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for workers' compensation cases.
I've been in practice since 2020. I do my procedures at a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, so you get a seamless experience from consultation through procedure and follow-up.
But credentials only tell part of the story.
A Doctor Who Truly Understands Pain
In July 2023, my life changed in an instant. A drunk driver jumped a curb and pinned me against the door of a convenience store. I was left completely unable to move.
What followed was a long, grueling road back. Eight reconstructive surgeries on my right forearm — blood vessel transfers, muscle transfers, nerve grafting. During recovery, I developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in my right hand — one of the most severe and difficult-to-treat chronic pain conditions that exists. I had a peripheral nerve stimulator implanted to manage it. The very same technology I now place in my own patients.
I know what it's like to depend on opioid medications to get through the day. I've been through ketamine therapy. I've sat in waiting rooms, worn the hospital gown, and stared at ceilings wondering if things would ever feel normal again.
And then I came back. I returned to the operating room and resumed doing the procedures that help my patients find relief — because that's what I was meant to do.
Why It Matters for You
When you describe your pain — the way it steals your sleep, strains your relationships, makes simple tasks feel impossible — I don't just understand the science. I understand the experience.
I listen first.
Your story matters. I won't rush you through a 5-minute appointment.
I explain clearly.
You deserve to understand your condition and your options — in plain language, not medical jargon.
I treat the whole person.
Pain isn't just a signal from a nerve. It affects your mood, your work, your family, your identity. I get that.
I'm honest about what works.
Not every patient needs a procedure. Not every procedure is the right one. I'll tell you the truth, even when it's hard.
My philosophy
Effective pain care starts with trust. When you feel heard and respected, you make better decisions about your health — and get better outcomes. That's what I've seen, and it's what I've lived.
My approach combines the latest evidence-based interventional techniques with genuine compassion. I do a full range of minimally invasive procedures at a state-of-the-art surgery center — from epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks to advanced neuromodulation — and I work with each patient to build a plan that fits their life, not just their diagnosis.
“The goal isn't always zero pain. The goal is giving you back the things pain has taken — the ability to work, play with your kids, sleep through the night, feel like yourself again.”
Beyond the clinic
When I'm not seeing patients, I'm a devoted father to two young sons. My family is the reason I fought so hard to recover — and the reason I show up every day determined to help others do the same.
If you're living with chronic pain and looking for a physician who combines real expertise with real empathy — I'm here for you.