John Mak, MD

About

John Mak, M.D. employs a multi-disciplinary approach to pain management by utilizing a full complement of tools including physical therapy, medications, ultra-sounded guided injections and advanced interventional procedures to treat pain.

“My specialties of pain management and anesthesiology demand superior interpersonal skills, but also require great diagnostic skills, an in-depth understanding of human physiology and the ability to perform intricate procedures,” Dr. Mak said. “I am excited to be at the forefront of innovative technology of utilizing nerve stimulation to treat pain at the spinal cord level or at the specific nerve that is causing pain.”

Prior to joining National Spine & Pain Centers, Dr. Mak practiced and served as the co-director of Premier Pain Centers LLC of Shrewsbury, NJ. He continues to serve as the regional medical director of Specialty Anesthesia Associates and as the director of anesthesia for Lakewood Surgery Center in Lakewood, NJ. He also continues to deliver anesthesia for New Jersey Ambulatory Anesthesia Consultants and is an attending pain management physician for Centrastate Medical Center in Freehold.

Dr. Mak earned his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY and performed an internship in Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY. He then completed his residency in anesthesia and critical care at Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School in Boston before completing a fellowship in pain management at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center-Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

“The first step in trying to treat a patient, is to listen to the patient,” Dr. Mak said. “Allowing the patient to give a full narration of their pain allows me to better accurately diagnose their cause of pain and tailor a treatment plan to them. Being able to make the proper diagnosis and come up with the appropriate treatment to relieve the patient's suffering is very gratifying.”

In his free time, Dr. Mak enjoys hiking, playing golf and keeping up with his active boys.