Napa Pain Institute

What We Do

The Napa Pain Institute offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to address various types of pain, providing personalized treatment plans to enhance patients' quality of life.

Conditions We Treat

Our physicians are national leaders in the field of pain management with decades of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of even the most complex and intractable pain. We know that the same treatments may not work for everyone, and are completely committed to finding the treatment that is right for you.  Whatever your situation, the cause of your pain, or the treatments you have tried before, come to see us — we are here to help.

Below are some of the conditions we see often, but chronic pain presents itself in many ways — in our decades of experience, we’ve seen it all, and are committed to finding the right diagnosis and the best treatment options for your unique needs.

Low Back Pain

Neck Pain

Cancer Pain

Osteoporosis Pain

Spinal Cord Injuries

Arthritis Pain

Spinal Stenosis

Spasticity & Muscle Spasms

Pelvic Pain

Incontinence

complex regional pain syndrome

Degenerative Joint Pain

Knee, Shoulder and Hip Pain

Chronic Abdominal Pain

Major Depression Disorder

Diabetic & Peripheral Neuropathy

Headache Pain

Alzheimer's Disease

Break free from chronic pain

At the Napa Pain Institute, we are proud to offer the best, safest, and most effective treatments we can, for our patients, and our community. Contact uss today to learn more. 

Treatments We offer

While pain medication is helpful for some of our patients, we offer many non-medicinal options for managing the pain, including, but not limited to, the treatments listed below. Our physicians are leaders in the field of neuromodulation, which involves the electrical stimulation of the central nervous system to help manage pain and other chronic conditions.

We are committed to “whole patient health care,” and in addition to the advanced pain therapies we offer, we work with many patients on nutrition, exercise, physical therapy, smoking cessation and other health and wellness programs.

Ablation of basivertibral nerves

Cancer Pain Care

Alzheimer's Infusion

Epidurals

Genicular nerve ablation for knee

pain pump implants and management

joint injections

Vertebroplasty

pain medication management

Radio Frequency Ablation

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Sympathetic Block

Occipital Block

Research Studies

TMS Therapy for Depression

Our Partners in Healing

Napa Surgery Center

We offer interventional treatments at the Napa Surgery Center, located just one block away from the Napa Pain Institute, where our physicians perform the treatments above in a quiet, calm space where you can focus on healing. 3444 Valle Verde Dr, Napa, CA 94558 (707) 252-9669

Neurovations Clinical Research

Our physicians partner with Neurovations Clinical Research to offer our patients access to cutting-edge treatments for different types of chronic pain. Different trials are available throughout the year – talk with your physician today to find out if one of them is right for you. Learn more about Neurovations Clinical Research.

TMS at Neurovations

TMS works by using short, magnetic pulses to stimulate the nerve cells in the parts of the brain believed to regulate mood and emotions. TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is a non-medication, non-invasive therapy cleared by the FDA for the treatment of depression in patients who were unsuccessful with other methods of treatment. This treatment has helped thousands of patients find relief and gain back control of their life.

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Danielle Pense, CBSPD

Facilities Manager

Danielle Pense serves as the Facilities Manager at the Napa Surgery Center, where she brings her expertise in facility management and operations to ensure the smooth functioning of the operating room and surgery center. Danielle is dedicated to maintaining a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors. She assists in surgery with a focus on instrument sterilization. Danielle is also the technical manager for ultrasound, EKG and X-ray.

Other responsibilities include overseeing maintenance, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance to uphold the highest standards of facility operations. Known for her proactive approach and attention to detail, Danielle plays a crucial role in optimizing the functionality, efficiency and appearance of the Napa Surgery Center. She remains committed to delivering excellence in facility management to support the center’s mission of providing exceptional surgical care to patients.

Darla Harrison, Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Darla Harrison serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Neurovations and Napa Pain Institute, bringing extensive expertise in healthcare management and operations to her role. With a proven track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence, Darla oversees the day-to-day operations of all business divisions, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment with strategic objectives.

Her commitment to optimizing patient care, fostering innovation, and driving organizational growth has been instrumental in advancing Neurovations and Napa Pain Institute’s mission to deliver cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care in the field of pain management. Darla has been with Neurovations for thirty years and is dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery and outcomes for patients across the continuum of care.

HIlary Cromwell, RN

Nursing Administrator

Hilary Cromwell, RN, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role as Nurse Manager at the Napa Surgery Center. With a background in nursing spanning over ten years, Hilary exemplifies a commitment to excellence in patient care and clinical leadership. Her role entails overseeing the nursing staff, ensuring adherence to best practices, and maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and satisfaction.

Known for her compassionate approach and meticulous attention to detail, Hilary plays a pivotal role in facilitating smooth operations and positive patient experiences at the Napa Surgery Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and remains dedicated to ongoing professional development to uphold the center’s reputation for exceptional care and outcomes.

Kristine Fields

Kristine Fields brings over a decade of experience in healthcare administration to her role as Clinic Manager at the Napa Pain Institute. With a passion for delivering exceptional patient care and optimizing operational efficiency, Kristine oversees all aspects of clinic operations, from scheduling and patient relations to staff management and regulatory compliance.

Known for her strong leadership skills and dedication to excellence, Kristine collaborates closely with the medical team to ensure that every patient receives personalized and compassionate care. She is committed to staying abreast of the latest developments in pain management to provide the highest level of service to patients at the Napa Pain Institute.

GORDON IWASAKI, PA

Gordon Iwasaki is a physician assistant with over twenty years of experience. He began his career in orthopaedics and industrial medicine. He has been working in pain management over the past seven years.

Mr. Iwasaki was raised in South San Jose and attended UC San Diego for his undergraduate degree. Later, he attended Charles Drew University in Los Angeles for his physician assistant studies and obtained his master’s from University of Nebraska. He has been residing throughout Southern California in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego counties. He returns to Northern California to be closer to his family.

He remains a diehard 49ers and SF Giants fan and enjoys exercising and spending time with his canine companions and listening to music.

HELEN CHEUNG, PA-C

We welcome Helen Cheung to the Napa Pain Institute as aPhysician’s Assistant. Helen is a graduate of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, and has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also certified in BLS and Adult ACLS. Her past education includes a Wisconsin State RN license, which she held until February 2021, and adult ventilator certification until 2020.

Helen has gained extensive experience as a returning student PA at the Jerold Phelps Community Hospital (SoHum Clinic) in Humboldt County, where she performed physical exams, delivered oral presentations, engaged in patient education, and fostered therapeutic relationships with patients under the direct supervision of an MD. She also performed specific procedures such as splinting and wound care, and performed PAP smears and biopsies. Additionally, Helen gained valuable experience at the UCDH Cypress Building – Bariatric Surgery, where she observed and participated in pre- and post-op visits, patient education, morning rounds, and performed surgical scrub and intra-operative assistance.

Helen has also gained experience in urgent care, the emergency department, endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism, Hansen Family Health Center, and pediatric clinics, as well as the CORE Medical Clinic. In all of these settings, she has performed patient assessments, delivered oral presentations, and assisted with medication prescriptions, imaging and lab orders, and documentation. She has also performed various procedures, including wound closure, suture removal, incision and drainage of skin abscesses, and pelvic exams. Through her experiences, Helen has developed a passion for providing quality patient care and expanding her clinical competency.

DR. MELANIE D. JOHANSSON, MD, FACEP

Dr. Johansson comes to us as a fellowship-trained and board-certified pain management specialist with nearly a decade of experience. She completed her fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD where she then became the associate program director of the pain medicine fellowship and an assistant professor of military and emergency medicine. She graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia, was Pre-medicine at San Diego State University, and received her BSN from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Her breadth of experience comes from a full career of serving in the United States Navy where she was the recipient of multiple academic and military service awards including a Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and numerous other individual, unit, and campaign awards. She has multiple published works and is the founding member of a military Pain Medicine Special Interest Group with the American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

In her free time, Dr. Johansson enjoys traveling, is newly married, loves dogs, and enjoys cooking and baking, as well as other creative pursuits. She has a particular interest in advanced procedural techniques for chronic pain relief and the effects of lifestyle on pain and healing. She looks forward to continuing our mission of providing our patients with the best care, every day.

Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA

CEO & Founder of Neurovations

Dr. Eric Grigsby enjoys a national reputation for excellence in the field of Pain Management. He has a background as a researcher, teacher and clinician and brings over 30 years of clinical experience to the Napa Pain Institute. Dr. Grigsby attended elementary and secondary school in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Economics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He formed an interest in Pain Management as a career while working at Boston Children’s Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

After graduating from Boston University Medical School in 1984, Dr. Grigsby trained in General Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Pain Management at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was invited to join the Medical Staff and teach at the Mayo Medical School until moving to California in 1989. The Dean of the University of California at Davis Medical Center then invited Dr. Grigsby to establish their first Pain Management Center, where he served as Medical Director until 1992. Following his post at UC Davis, Dr. Grigsby established his private Pain Management practice in Napa, California.

Today, he and his staff of over 50 professionals consult with patients throughout Northern California and the western United States.  More recently, Dr Grigsby completed his Masters in Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He speaks nationally on topics such as non-operative treatment of spinal disorders, the safe use of medications for the treatment of pain, and the legal and regulatory issues relating to the proper treatment of patients with chronic illness.