The Gracer Medical Group (GMG) is an integrative medical practice using the best of conventional and alternative treatment modalities to facilitate the body's innate healing response. We specialize in the treatment and management of pain, as well as other complex medical problems such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.Richard Gracer, MD, the GMG founder and director, is a well known specialist in prolotherapy (Regenerative Injection Therapy or RIT). He is also the first physician in the United States to treat intervertebral disc problems with ozone injections into the disc.
Services
I have been helping individuals and families struggling with the disease of chemical dependency for more than 20 years as a clinician, educator, and program director. In 1986, it was clear to me that I needed to make a fundamental change in my life. I completed a chemical dependency counseling certificate program at Sonoma State University in 1988, then went on to obtain a Mater's Degree in Counseling and to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist.I have worked as a therapist in a wide variety of settings, both inpatient and outpatient, including Kaiser Permanente, Ross Hospital, and Mt.
We now know that addiction is a brain disease-chronically, and sometimes permanently, damaging neuroreceptors. This is what causes the hardest part of recovery, dealing with the long lasting, and occasionally permanent, post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAW). PAW causes fatigue, joint and muscle aches, and depression, as well as drug cravings.
Gracer Medical Group (GMG) has been treating patients with complex health issues since 1979. Because we are dedicated to treating the whole person, GMG Behavioral Health Services was created in 2005 to help our patients with the mental health and addiction problems that can co-exist with chronic pain.
Gracer Behavioral Health Services, part of Gracer Medical Group (GMG) now has license rights to use the PROMETA treatment protocols-a treatment plan for alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine dependence that is overseen by a doctor. PROMETA is part of GMG's comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment program.
Reviews (3)
Hiking In Socks With Sandals
Feb 21, 2019
Ummm be very very careful. This business is a legal "trap house" (drug dealing home). Be careful Dr. Gracer has written papers saying suboxone should be used as an antidepressant. He wants you addicted to something he prescribes. $$.He is a moron he is retired but still making that trap house cash. Be careful these drugs are not very successful and will become a trap and major expense for you. These drs want a life long patient addicted.
Aaron Grogan-Jackson
Nov 05, 2018
I have been going to the San Ramon office for many years. My original doctor was Dr. Gracer, who retired in January 2018. The doctor I currently see is Dr. Ganga. I had a very special relationship with Dr. Gracer, and my relationship with Dr. Ganga is also very good. She is an excellent and thorough doctor. In addition, the office manager Dorrie is excellent.
My issues are not with the office in San Ramon. The office in San Ramon has been owned by Integrated Pain Management, which is based in Walnut Creek for approximately 2 years. IPM owns a number of pain management offices throughout the area. Since the purchase by IPM the way in which the patients are treated has gone completely downhill. The staffing levels have been reduced dramatically.
While the remaining doctors and employees at the San Ramon office try their best to provide the highest level of care, I do believe that patient care is not the top priority of IPM. Prior to Dr. Gracer's retirement the most my appointment was delayed was by 5 to 15 minutes. Now the wait time averages 45 minutes to an hour. The single most aggravating issue is that you can no longer call the San Ramon office, and speak to anyone there directly.
When you call the San Ramon office an IPM employee based in Walnut Creek answers the phone. These people know nothing about you, or any specific needs you might have that only the personnel in San Ramon would be aware of. Because of this arrangement, I recently had a situation that could have been resolved in 5 minutes or less. Instead it took over 4.5 hours to resolve the problem.
I had to drive from Walnut Creek back to San Ramon, and then return to Walnut Creek in commute traffic to correct the error. In most cases a patient is seeing a pain specialist because they are in severe pain. When a pain patient has to sit for an hour to see a doctor, or spend hours calling and driving to resolve an issue, some additional consideration needs to be taken to accommodate the patients unique needs.
From my experience in dealing with IPM it appears that their priorities are to maximize profits over the needs of the patient, and the staff made available for patient care. I know that other patients are having the same issues based on the comments made in the waiting room. I want to be very clear, the office in San Ramon is doing it's best based on the guidelines imposed by IPM.
I believe that if IPM cared about patients care, more emphasis should be placed on needs and adequate staffing levels to serve the current and future patients in a humanizing manner.
My issues are not with the office in San Ramon. The office in San Ramon has been owned by Integrated Pain Management, which is based in Walnut Creek for approximately 2 years. IPM owns a number of pain management offices throughout the area. Since the purchase by IPM the way in which the patients are treated has gone completely downhill. The staffing levels have been reduced dramatically.
While the remaining doctors and employees at the San Ramon office try their best to provide the highest level of care, I do believe that patient care is not the top priority of IPM. Prior to Dr. Gracer's retirement the most my appointment was delayed was by 5 to 15 minutes. Now the wait time averages 45 minutes to an hour. The single most aggravating issue is that you can no longer call the San Ramon office, and speak to anyone there directly.
When you call the San Ramon office an IPM employee based in Walnut Creek answers the phone. These people know nothing about you, or any specific needs you might have that only the personnel in San Ramon would be aware of. Because of this arrangement, I recently had a situation that could have been resolved in 5 minutes or less. Instead it took over 4.5 hours to resolve the problem.
I had to drive from Walnut Creek back to San Ramon, and then return to Walnut Creek in commute traffic to correct the error. In most cases a patient is seeing a pain specialist because they are in severe pain. When a pain patient has to sit for an hour to see a doctor, or spend hours calling and driving to resolve an issue, some additional consideration needs to be taken to accommodate the patients unique needs.
From my experience in dealing with IPM it appears that their priorities are to maximize profits over the needs of the patient, and the staff made available for patient care. I know that other patients are having the same issues based on the comments made in the waiting room. I want to be very clear, the office in San Ramon is doing it's best based on the guidelines imposed by IPM.
I believe that if IPM cared about patients care, more emphasis should be placed on needs and adequate staffing levels to serve the current and future patients in a humanizing manner.
David Dann
Mar 04, 2015
