Our Doctors

"Our Fellowship trained Pain Management Physicians will guide you through the treatment of your back pain. Our goal is to help you reduce your pain so you can enjoy life to the fullest." Dr. Dennis Karasek founded the Spine and Pain Center of San Antonio in 2005. His goal was to provide patients struggling and living with back pain comprehensive pain management treatment plans. Since 2005, Dr. Karasek has been joined by Dr. Stephen Dinger, Dr. Sergio Alvarado, Dr. Narciso Gonzalez, Dr. Ellen Duncan and Dr. Donald Bacon. Now, as a team of six Board Certified and Fellowship-trained pain management physicians, the Spine and Pain Center of San Antonio provides superior care to patients in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. All of the Center’s physicians are active in local, regional and national Pain Societies including: the Texas Pain Society (TPS), International Spinal Injection Society (ISIS), American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). Please visit the Services or Medical Library sections to learn more about how we can help you or Contact Us today to schedule a consultation with one of our Board Certified Physicians.

Physician Team Bios

Dennis E. Karasek, MD

Dennis E. Karasek, MD is Fellowship Trained and Board Certified in Pain Medicine. His 26 years of medical experience and 13 years of the exclusive practice of pain medicine make him one of the most impressively credentialed physicians in the state of Texas.

Stephen W. Dinger, DO

Stephen W. Dinger, DO is a Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Pain Management physician. He is also Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (EMG/NCS). After spending several years as medical director of a pain management group in California, Dr. Dinger returned to the San Antonio area where he completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of Texas – Health Science Center.

Ellen B. Duncan, MD

Ellen B. Duncan, MD is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subspecialty certification in Pain Management. She completed her post-doctorate Fellowship in Pain Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1996 and served as an assistant professor at the University Health Science Center before entering private practice.

Sergio J. Alvarado, MD

Sergio J. Alvarado, MD is Fellowship Trained and Board Certified in Pain Medicine. He spent several years as a faculty member of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, training other physicians to correctly perform invasive procedures to alleviate pain. Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Alvarado worked as a licensed pharmacist for 5 years and possesses an extensive store of knowledge regarding medications used to treat pain disorders.

Narciso Gonzalez, MD

Narciso Gonzalez, MD is Board Certified and Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. He is a Pain Management Board Candidate who earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Donald D. Bacon, MD

Donald D. Bacon, MD is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subspecialty certification in Pain Management and a diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.