David_Essaf_DO

David Essaff, DO

Specialties:

Interventional Spine Care
Patient Rating
4.7 / 5 (Based on 55 Ratings)
Read Comments
  • Valley Health Provider

Accepting new patients.

Accepted Insurance & Health Plans

About

Dr. Essaff began his work as an Interventional Spine specialist after developing an interest and passion for the life-changing benefits of spinal procedures during his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center. During his education and fellowship, Dr. Essaff was drawn to the multidisciplinary and collaborative approach that is needed to treat patients with neck and back pain as well as other painful spine conditions. Dr. Essaff has worked with thousands of patients across the region, using minimally-invasive, image guided procedures, often for patients whose pain is a barrier to doing every day, basic life activities.

Dr. Essaff particularly enjoys the one-to-one time with Valley Health Interventional Pain Specialists patients and is committed to helping reduce pain in an effort to improve overall quality of life.

Common Image-Guided Procedures

  • Selective nerve root blocks/transforaminal epidural steroid injections
  • Medial branch blocks
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Intra-articular SI and hip joint injection

Medical Areas of Interest

  • Back and Neck Pain
  • Back and Neck Problems
  • Spine Pain
  • Spine Problems
  • Painful discs in the neck and back
  • Painful joints in the neck and back
  • Hip Joint pain
  • Radicular Pain/Sciatica
  • Genicular Nerve Blocks

Research Interests

Sub Investigator. 2016 – 2017.

Mesoblast Cascade study (MSB DR003). Virginia iSpine Physicians. Richmond, VA.

  • A prospective, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single injection of rexlemestrocel-L alone or combined with hyaluronic acid in subjects with chronic low back pain.

Sub Investigator. 2016 – 2017.

Vertiflex STEPS Trial (14-TDDS-01). Virginia iSpine Physicians. Richmond, VA.

  • A prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled double-blind trial evaluating the VertiFlex® Totalis™ direct decompression system versus a sham surgical procedure in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Sub Investigator. 2016 – 2017.

Coolief™ Cooled Radiofrequency study (Halyard 105-14-0001). Virginia iSpine Physicians. Richmond, VA.

  • Cooled radiofrequency probe to create lesions of the genicular nerves and comparing corticosteroid injection in the management of chronic knee pain.

Clinical Research Coordinator. 2006 – 2008.

Boston University School of Medicine. Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program. Boston, MA.

Post Graduate Researcher. 2002 – 2005.

  • University of California, Davis. Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology. Davis, CA.

Media

Affiliations

  • Valley Health Interventional Pain Specialists

Common Conditions Treated

  • Radicular pain/radiculopathy
  • Painful discs and facet joints in the neck and back
  • Sacroiliac (SI joint) & hip joint pain

Locations

Education

Fellowship

Virginia iSpine Physicians Interventional Spine Care

Residency

University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Medical School

Western University of the Health Sciences Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Graduate School

Boston University School of Medicine Master of Medical Sciences

College

University of California Bachelor of Science

Publications

2017

  • Atypical and Accelerated Formation of a Heterotopic Ossification of the Elbow in a Patient with Acute Stroke: a Case Report

    2017

    Author: Essaff, D., Strong, N.

    Publication: Association of Academic Physiatrist 2017 Annual Meeting

    Case Report Poster Presentation

2016

  • Dizziness

    Author: Poduri, KR., Essaff, D.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PM&R Knowledge Now.

    Online Resource: Chapter  View Publication

  • Cervical and Thoracic Facet Arthropathy

    Author: Everett, C., Rosenzweig, M., Essaff, D.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PM&R Knowledge Now.

    Online Resource: Chapter  View Publication

2015

  • Integrating cognitive rehabilitation: A preliminary program description and theoretical review of an interdisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation program.

    2015

    Author: Auerbach, S., Straußky, C., Carson, S., Dudkiewicz, N., Meier, S., Rice, J., Coles, H., Wagner, J., Rice, J., Essaff, D., Sheehan, M.

    Publisher: NeuroRehabilitation

    Peer Reviewed Journal Article

  • The Effect of Prenorbid Anxiety and Depression on Functional Outcomes in Acute Stroke Patients Admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation.

    2015

    Author: Essaff, D., Ackroyd, S., Rie, H., Iwan, K., Fleeman, J., Poduri, KR.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

    Research Abstract Poster Presentation

  • The Effect of Functional Outcomes on Discharge Disposition in Acute Stroke Patients with Sustained a Fall.

    2015

    Author: Essaff, D., Iwan, K., Poduri, KR.

    Publisher: American Association of Academic Physiatrist

    Research Abstract Poster Presentation

  • Concussion in an Athlete with Incidental Arnold Chiari Type-1 Malformation: A Consideration in Return to Play?

    2015

    Author: Essaff, D., Iwan, K., Bazarian, J.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 2015 Annual Assembly

    Case Report Poster Presentation

  • Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block: A Novel Treatment Approach for Phantom Limb Pain

    2015

    Author: Essaff, D., Singh, S., Thakur, R.

    Publisher: American Academy of Pain Medicine 31st Annual Meeting

    Case Report Poster Presentation

  • Placebo Effect of a Spinal Cord Stimulator in the Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

    2015

    Author: Iwan, K., Essaff, D., Singh, S., Kent, J.

    Publisher: American Academy of Pain Medicine 31st Annual Meeting

    Case Report Poster Presentation

  • Thoracic Myelopathy Presenting as Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

    Author: Essaff, D., Ransom, D., Everett, C.

    Publisher: Association of Academic Physiatrist 2015 Annual Meeting

    Case Report Poster Presentation

  • Unilateral Knee Swelling in a Young Male ?? AIS & Heterotopic Ossification vs Gout?

    Author: Iwan, K., Essaff, D., Odon, N.

    Publisher: Association of Academic Physiatrist 2015 Annual Meeting

    Case Report Poster Presentation

  • Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as Seizure in Two Young Males in an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

    Author: Essaff, D., Nickles, J., Poduri, KR.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 2014 Annual Assembly

    Case Report Poster Presentation

2014

  • Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

    Author: Poduri, KR., Norton, D., Paul, J., Essaff, D.

    Publisher: American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PM&R Knowledge Now.

    Online Resource: Chapter

2004

  • Development of Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Newborn Monkeys Inhaling Allergens and or Ozone During the First Year of Life.

    Author: Schelegle, E., Plopper, C., Dung, L., Essaff, D., Walby, W., Gershwin, L., Joad, J., Pinkerton, K.

    Publisher: Research Abstract Poster Presentation. Project SHARE and the US Environmental Protection Agency Asthma Task Force.

Reviews

5.0
September 26, 2025
I have recommended
5.0
September 13, 2025
Dr Essaff is wonderful! He's very patient and carefully listened to what I had to say. He's very patient, answered my questions, and was very compassionate. He's a terrific doctor!
5.0
August 13, 2025
Dr.Essaff is fantastic.like a "pain reduction magician."
5.0
July 31, 2025
Dr. Essaff listened to what I told him my issues were & how I felt leading up to the visit. He had me make a follow up appt after referring me for testing
5.0
May 22, 2025
Left feeling like I had a plan in place was open to my concerns of taking oral meds
5.0
May 16, 2025
One of the best experiences I have had with a health care provider