About
Nonsurgical Spine Expert Dr. Catherine Choi
I’m a fellowship-trained nonoperative spine interventionalist, and I have been providing spine care since 2010. Before joining Summit, I focused on chronic pain management. Since coming to Summit in 2017, I have focused my practice on interventional spine care, meeting patients early on in their condition and helping them get the treatment they need, so they don’t need to resort to long-term pain medication. It’s very rewarding to be on the other end of the pain management spectrum, being able to intervene early on and prevent long-term problems.
Each day in clinic I assess patients, try to treat them conservatively, get advanced imaging when appropriate, and then offer them injections designed to treat the source of their pain. If injection therapy and physical therapy are not effective, or if they stop working, we have great surgeons here at Summit, so we can transfer care seamlessly and see the patients on an as-needed basis.
What’s Most Important to Dr. Choi
I enjoy being able to help people with pain that has been having a moderate to severe impact their everyday lives. When patients hear that there is a solution, that there is something that can be done, they’re generally so pleased.
One thing that is very important to me is that my patients understand the treatment plan. I don’t want patients to say, “She’s going to do some sort of an injection, but I don’t really know what it is.” To me, that would be the worst outcome of a clinic visit. That’s why during every visit, I’m reviewing images with patients, showing them what I’m seeing, what we’re treating, why the pain is happening, and how we’re fixing it.
I don’t think you can adequately treat someone if that person doesn’t fully understand what is happening and what the long-term outlook is. Pain can be complex, and sometimes you have to think outside the box, especially if a patient has already seen other physicians. Maybe they’ve had surgery and were told that nothing else could be done. I love challenges, and I love to look for solutions. Even with the most challenging pain problems, I’m going to say, “I’ll bet there’s something we can offer.”
Dr. Choi’s Personal Interests
I have two sons who keep me very busy outside of work, especially from October to March, since they both play hockey. We also have a dog named Bear, who — thank goodness — is quite laid back. When I have time, I like to run, practice yoga, and knit. But those activities tend to take a back seat to the day-to-day craziness of being a working parent. I’m sure some of my patients can relate.
I like to cook, and my husband and I love to entertain. I’m also an avid traveler, and my boys and I have a tradition of taking a one-on-one trip with each of them once a year. It’s fun to plan together, and it’s a wonderful source of quality time.
Specialties
Conditions We Treat
Common Treatments
Other
- Interventional Spine Injections
- Epidural Injections
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulators
- Joint Injections
Locations
My Team
My Team
At Summit, each physician works alongside a team of professionals to care for you, our patient.
Additional Information About Dr. Catherine Y Choi
Education & Memberships
Education
Fellowship
Interventional Pain Management
University of Chicago| Dept. of Anesthesia & Critical Care — Chicago, IL
Training
- West Suburban Hospital | Internal Medicine Internship — Chicago, IL
- Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation — Chicago, IL
Medical School
University of Illinois — Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Studies
University of Illinois — Champaign-Urbana, IL
Professional Memberships
Publications
Lectures
- 3/14/19: Spinal Injections. Spine PT lecture for Spine therapists of Summit Orthopedics
- 2/28/19: Back Pain. Woodbury YMCA Lunch and Learn talk. Open to the public.
- 7/25/18: Spinal Injections. Spine PT lecture for Spine therapists of Summit Orthopedics
- 5/24/17: Cervical Radiculopathy overview and treatment. Midwest Chiropractic Association. Lecture for chiropractors serving the Midwest.
- 11/4/16: The Management of Opioids. Updates in Medicine for the PCP. Lecture for NorthShore Primary Care Physicians at the Renaissance Chicago NorthShore.
- 5/16/16: Non-Surgical Treatment for Lower Back Pain. Community Lecture for “Women’s Health Immersion Day: Total Care for Women’s Health” at Chicago Botanic Garden, NorthShore University HealthSystem.
- 11/4/16: The Management of Opioids. Updates in Medicine for the PCP. Lecture for NorthShore Primary Care Physicians at the Renaissance Chicago NorthShore.
- 2/3/16: Chronic Pain. Family Medicine Resident Lecture, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 1/22/16: Barriers to Effective Pain Management of Patients on Opioids. NorthShore University HealthySystem Nurse Lecture Series
- 9/2/15: Chronic Pain Management. NorthShore University HelathSystem Women’s Issue Lecture Series
- 9/2/15: Opiate Conversions & PCA Pumps. NorthShore University HealthSystem Nurse Practitioner Bootcamp
- 3/18/15: Opiate Conversions & Management. PMR Resident Lecture, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
- 1/26/15: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Chronic Pain Meeting, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 8/13/14: Chronic Pain Management. Family Medicine Resident Lecture, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 7/9/14: Dealing with Chronic Pain. Glenview Community Lecture, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 4/15/14: Spine Injections. Chronic Pain Meeting, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 12/4/13: Chronic Opiate Management. Family Medicine, Internal Medicine joint Grand Rounds, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 9/9/13: Managing Chronic Pain Patients. Chronic Pain Meeting, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 7/11/13: Treating Chronic Pain. Oncology Grand Rounds, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 6/7/13: Chronic Low Back Pain. Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Spine Conference, NorthShore University HealthSystem
- 4/3/13: Opiate Conversions. Family Medicine Resident Lecture, NorthShore University HealthSystem
Publications
- Choi, C. (September 2016) Chronic Pain & Opiate Management. Disease- a –Month, 62(9), 334-345.
Resources
Patient Education
Spine Animated Conditions and Treatments Library
Spine Injections Animated Library
Reviews
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Reviews
