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Photo: Erica J. Bial, M.D., M.S.

Erica J. Bial, M.D., M.S.

Specialties:

Non-Surgical Spine Care & Pain Management

Fellowship:

Pain Medicine

About Dr. Bial

Dr. Erica J. Bial is a fellowship-trained, dual board-certified interventional pain specialist who specializes in non-surgical spine care and pain management. She provides interventional management of painful conditions of the body, particularly in the spine and joints, including a full range of peri-surgical and post-surgical care. 

She works with her patients to treat pain and restore function by providing personally tailored and specific care. Her patients can include those who don’t need surgery, those who experience persistent pain despite having surgery, and those who need diagnostic management prior to surgery.

Dr. Bial has a particular interest in treating nerve mediated pains that emanate from the spine.

She regularly treats adults who are experiencing pain in their neck, back, or joints with a broad range of procedures such as injections, nerve ablations, and neuromodulation techniques including spinal cord stimulation. 

Dr. Bial earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Tufts University. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Health from the Tufts University School of Engineering. She earned her medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, followed by internship and residency training through Harvard Medical School. Her fellowship training in Pain Management was in the department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

She frequently lectures through the Boston University School of Medicine where she is a member of the content development team for their “SCOPE of Pain” lecture series and author of the New England Journal of Medicine “Knowledge+” review series in Pain Medicine. She has been a featured speaker at the Lahey Annual Review course in Internal Medicine, and has served as visiting professor, lecturing on the subject of non-surgical approaches to back pain. Dr. Bial has been awarded the title of Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Tufts University School of Medicine, and Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School. She was honored to be the Harvard Medical School 2006 recipient of the Hatem Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Credentials

Postgraduate Training

  • Fellowship in Pain Medicine: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2008-2009 
  • Residency in Internal Medicine: Mount Auburn Hospital, 2004-2006
  • Residency in Anesthesiology: Beth Israel-Deaconess, 2003-2004
  • Internship in Internal Medicine: Mount Auburn Hospital, 2002-2003

Education

  • Post-Graduate Certificate in Pain Management: University of California, 2008
  • Doctorate of Medicine: Boston University School of Medicine, 2002
  • Master of Science: Occupational and Environmental Health, Tufts University, 1997
  • Bachelor of Science: Biology, Tufts University, 1997

Certifications

  • Board Certified, Pain Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2009, 2019
  • Board Certified, Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2006, 2016
  • Certificate in Medical Acupuncture, University of California, Los Angeles Helms Medical Institute, 2005

Professional Memberships

  • Member, American Society of Regional Anesthesia, 2013- present
  • Member, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, 2013 – present 
  • Spinal Interventions Society, 2009- present
  • Member, Admissions Committee, Tufts University School of Medicine, 2016-2022
  • Editorial Board of Pain Physician, 2016-2021
  • “Dr. Bial was very thorough and professional. She took the time to explain my condition and options. I feel very confident in her approach to my treatment.”

    – Bob H.