Benjamin Dirkx, DO

Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Board Certified in Pain Medicine
Board Certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Specializing in Sports Medicine, Musculoskeletal Injuries, EMGs, and Interventional Spine Procedures

Ben Dirkx, D.O. specializes in treating all musculoskeletal conditions ranging from common knee issues to chronic back pain. He completed his undergrad degree from Michigan State University with honors where he spent most of his free time organizing and supervising intramural sports programs. From there he went on to attend the prestigious College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University with a focus on muscle and joint pathology. Dr. Dirkx completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at William Beaumont Hospital under the tutelage of national recognized physicians of Dr. Myron Laban, Dr. Ronald Taylor, and Dr. Justin Riutta. He obtained intensive specialized training in interventional procedures while completing his residency and has attended numerous training courses utilizing ultrasound, EMGs, and interventional procedures.

Dr. Dirkx joined The Spine and Orthopedic Center in 2014 and as a physiatrist has focused training on the realm of physical illnesses of joint, muscle, and nerve pain. He utilizes nerve conduction studies, ultrasound, interventional procedures, and a multitude of physical therapy modalities to treat his patients.

Dr. Dirkx is a member of several professional societies including: California Medical Association, Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Academy of Pain Physicians, Wilderness Medical Society, and International Spine Intervention Society.

In his free time he enjoys a plethora of outdoor activities and competes in numerous competitive sports and races. Dr. Dirkx is an avid traveler including wilderness expeditions.

Education

2013-2014	Interventional Pain Medicine Training	Traverse City, MI
2010-2014	William Beaumont Hospital, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Chief Resident	Royal Oak, MI
2006-2010	Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine	East Lansing, MI
2001-2006	Michigan State University Graduated with Honors Bachelor of Science in Zoology	East Lansing, MI

Board Certification and Licensure

July 2019	Board Eligible in Regenerative Medicine
May 2019	Board Certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine
May 2016	Board Certified in Pain Medicine
July 2015	Board Certified and Fellowship-Trained in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2015-Present	Qualified Medical Examiner for State of California Osteopathic Medical Board of California: License #20A13373

Professional Training

2013-Present	Interventional Experience: Over 15,000 documented procedures and 1,000 Spinal Cord Stimulators/DRG stimulators implanted	Traverse City,MI/ Santa Barbara, CA
2023	Pacific Spine and Pain Society Annual Conference	O’Ahu,HI
2022	North America Neuromodulation Society Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2021	Pacific Spine and Pain Society Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2020	Pacific Spine and Pain Society Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2019	California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Annual Conference	Lake Tahoe, NV
2019	The Orthobiological Institutes Annual Conference	Chicago, IL
2019	Advanced Regenerative Training in Preparation & Injection Techniques of Lipoaspirate, PRP, Stem Cells Workshop	Chicago, IL
2019	Interventional Orthopedics Foundation Annual Conference	Broomfield, CO
2019	Advanced Techniques for Stem Cell implantation, Carpal Tunnel Release, Tenex procedures Workshop	Broomfield, CO
2018	Justin Sportsmedicine Team Rodeo Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2018	California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Annual Conference	Santa Barbara, CA
2018	Advanced Interventional Pain Procedures Workshop	Santa Barbara, CA
2018	Interventional Orthopedics Foundation Annual Conference	Broomfield, CO
2017	North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2017	Interventional Stimulators Intensive Workshop	San Jose, CA
2017	Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Workshop training	Dallas, TX
2016	Pain Week Annual Conference	Las Vegas, NV
2015	Stryker Course for Venom Rhizotomy and Advanced Interventional Procedures	Los Angeles, CA
2015	International Spine Intervention Society Advanced Lumbar Interventional techniques	Phoenix, AZ
2015	Spine Intervention Society Cervical Interventional techniques and protocols workshop	New Orleans, LA
2014	Mayo Clinic Advanced Ultrasound guided procedures for the Spine and Extremities	Tampa, FL
2014	Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation National Conference With focus on Ultrasound and MSK treatment tract	Washington D.C
2014	St. Jude’s and Dr. Michael Lynch Advanced Techniques for Spinal Procedures and Spinal Cord Stimulators	Ontario, CA
2013	University of Utah Ultrasound Guidance for Interventional Procedures Training Course	Park City, UT
2013	Michigan State University Botox Utilization and Chronic Migraine Course	Novi, MI
2012	Northwestern University Prosthetics- Orthotics Conference	Chicago, IL
2011	Mayo Clinic Advanced EMG techniques Conference	Ameilia Island, FL

Professional Experience

2014-Present	The Spine and Orthopedic Center Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician	Santa Barbara,CA
2021-Present	Central California Pain Management	Bakersfield, CA
2016- Present	Official Physician for Annual Santa Maria Rodeo	Santa Maria, CA
2020-Present	Spanish Hills Interventional Pain Specialists	Camarillo, CA
2018-Present	Saint Charles Spine Institute	Thousand Oaks, CA
2014-2018	Santa Barbara Annual Marathon Head Physician	Santa Barbara, CA
2014-Present	Santa Barbara City College Physicals for Athletes	Santa Barbara, CA
2014-2019	Physician for Santa Barbara City College Rugby Team	Santa Barbara, CA

Professional Memberships

• American Academy of Regenerative Medicine
• Interventional Orthopedics Foundation
• Wilderness Medical Society
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• American Osteopathic Association
• California Osteopathic Association
• American Academy of Pain Management
• Spine Intervention Society
• North American Spine Society
• American Board of Pain Medicine

Attending Staff

2014-Present	Carrillo Surgery Center	Santa Barbara, CA
2014-Present	Central Valley Surgical Center	Bakersfield, CA
2021-Present	Synergy Surgical Center Pain Management Director	Westlake,CA

Publications

• Case Report: Anterior Cord Syndrome After Femoral Cardiac Catheterization.
  AAPMR National Conference. 2014. Ben Dirkx, D.O. Nancy DeSantis, D.O.
• Chronic Problems With Sedentary Work. Bakersfield Magazine. Vol. 33 No.2

Lectures, Presentations and Exhibits

6/2019	Role of Opioids in Chronic Pain
12/2018	Platelet Rich Plasma Current Literature and Future Direction
6/2018	Sacroiliac Joint Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
5/2017	Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulators Use and Limitations
6/2016	The Role of Neuromodulation in Today’s Treatment of the Modern Patient
12/2015	Literature Review of Lumbar Interventional Procedures: Best Evidence guidelines
4/2014	Pain medications: The How, When, What, and Why of Use
2/2014	Common and Uncommon Shoulder Problems
2/2014	Pearls and Pitfalls of Diagnosing and Treating Lower Extremity Pain
6/2013	The Many Problems with Backs
2/2013	Burn Rehabilitation and Management
1/2013	Hand Anatomy and Common Problems
12/2012	Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Modern Treatments
10/2012	Shoulder Anatomy and Common Problems
8/2012	Pain Pathophysiology