Is there anyone with information and personal experience who has used the doctor at UCLA in California for their NA? If so, would you recommend him? I finally need it and would like to save time and money and not have to go to Paris or San Francisco to get this done. I work and can't take much time.

Thanks for the help..

i was wondering the same thing as I am close....Thanks for the info..I had gone to Dr. Eaton and have the highest regards for him but need to find someone closer...I was considering Kline in Idaho..but L.A. is closer.. No web site for ucla doc though..

While I have no personal experience with Dr. Benhaim I've read numerous posts about him on the old BioS Forum.

First, he is not Paris trained but has received instruction from Denkler. Last I heard he was actually putting some of his patients to sleep rather than using a local, which in my mind is not really NA. NA relies on the patient feedback to tell the doc if a nerve is in danger. He may have evolved since then, as that was a few years ago. Check with him. My impression is that Dr. Benhaim is *very* conservative and cautious. At UCLA he is somewhat under the watchful eye of a former NA detractor and past head of the ASSH who once referred to NA as "snake oil".

Denkler on the other hand is under no such constraints and is quite aggressive with NA. He helped Benhaim with NA for the PIP.

Bottom line, If you need MCP correction Benhaim would probably be as good as anyone. However, for a PIP I doubt he's in Denkler's league. Few are. That does not mean you would not get the *exact* same results, but for a PIP I'd fly up to S. F. for the superior expertise

I'm very happy that someone at UCLA is doing NA. I'd just be curious as to whether Dr. Benhaim has moved away from his locally influenced conservatism into doing NA in the traditional fashion with just a local like everyone else. Having him a strong NA advocate may help turn the tide in LA. Like at most teaching hospitals, the higher-ups at UCLA still don't "get it" regarding NA. Benhaim could be of great help if he has moved in Denkler's direction.

Edited at 05/10/08 00:27

I had my NA performed by Dr. Benhaim in March '07. I was very impressed, and the results are holding up very well.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone.

I'm unsure about Dr. Benheim.

I too live in L.A. and I had NA with Dr. Denkler in July 06 and just today 5-16-08 about 3 hours ago. I talked to Dr. Benheim each time before choosing Dr Denkler. I just felt much more secure with him. I couldn't get into Dr Benheim until August and then after sending a picture to him he was unsure. Keith Denkler on the other hand (no pun intended!) looked at the picture and said no problem. I attribute that to Keith having done about 1500 NAs so far while Benheim has only done a few hundred. I'm a guitar player so I'm very cautious about who I want messing with my hand! I was also able to get an appointment in just a few weeks.

As for the procedure today it went quickly and smoothly, though the initial numbing injections are not might favorite part it's a small price to pay for the great result. BTW Keith feels that in a couple of years the enzyme injection will be the way to go.

One other thing, I have no contratures but my hand cupped inward and it impacts my playing as well as some yoga poses. Anyone who has tried "down dog" will know what I mean.

And did I mention Keith is a great guy!

Hope this helps some folks.