William Welches, DO, PhD
Additional Locations
Treatment & Services
- Acupuncture
- Alternative Medicine
- Comprehensive Pain Management
- Management of Back and Neck Pain
- Nutrition Sciences
- Osteopathic Manipulation
- Pain Control
- Pain Management
- Pain Medicine
- Pain Rehabilitation
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Back Pain in Athletes
- Chronic Back Pain
- Chronic Neuropathic Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee Injuries
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Pain
- Radiculopathy
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: How to Treat
- Spine Pain
- Whiplash
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout William Welches, DO, PhD
My area of specialty is pain management. I use osteopathic manipulation, along with several programs including diet therapy and counseling, to help patients with their pain. My techniques and programs are integrated with those of my colleagues in the Pain Management Department to provide patients with comprehensive treatment.
-- William Welches, DO, PhD
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2002
Education & Fellowships
Medical Education - University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine
Acupuncture
Los Angeles,
CA USA
2009
Residency - South Pointe Hospital
Family Practice
Warrensville Heights,
OH USA
2002
Internship - South Pointe Hospital
Family Practice
Warrensville Heights,
OH USA
2000
Medical Education - Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Athens,
OH USA
1999
Medical Education - University of Illinois Hospital at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana,
IL USA
1980
Undergraduate - Saint Louis University
St. Louis,
MO USA
1973
Additional Training
- PhD, biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Certifications
- Family Medicine
Specialty Interests
acupuncture, alternative medicine, back, Back Pain, back/neck pain, diet and nutrition, evaluation of back and neck pain, interventional pain management, interventional pain management for back and neck pain, Low Back Pain, management of chronic pain, neuropathic, neuropathic pain, osteopathic manipulation therapy, pain, pain management, pain management including spine, rehabilitation, spine, spine pain
Research & Publications
See publications for William Welches, DO, PhD.
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 1/29/2020, Dr. Welches has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
174 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.7 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.8 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.8 |
51 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Feb 27, 2020
A very caring and competent doctor.
Reviewed on Feb 27, 2020
Doctor and staff work hard to make sure I can see the doctor when I need to.
Reviewed on Feb 19, 2020
Dr. Welches is a master. I have referred many people to him over the years.
Reviewed on Feb 18, 2020
I will recommend Dr. Welches without hesitation.
Reviewed on Feb 7, 2020
I only wish more DOs did mechanical manipulation instead of prescriptions and tests. Dr. Welches is a gem, who cares.
Reviewed on Feb 5, 2020
Dr. Welches is great. I already have recommended him to others because of the results that I have experienced.
Reviewed on Jan 29, 2020
very good doctor knows what he's doing and does the best and is very nice
Reviewed on Jan 29, 2020
very good care provider and attentive and knows what he's doing
Reviewed on Jan 23, 2020
Dr Welches is absolutely the best !
Reviewed on Jan 23, 2020
Dr. Whelches is a kind and caring doctor. He always listens to my cares and concerns and addresses them. He takes very good care of me.
Reviewed on Dec 31, 2019
dr Welches gave me back my life. I'm almost pain free
Reviewed on Dec 31, 2019
I have recommended Dr Welches to several friends
Reviewed on Dec 12, 2019
Dr Welches is kind, attentive and knowledgeable. He is patient and listens. He has helped me with my condition more than and of my doctors.
Reviewed on Dec 4, 2019
dr. welchas has a tremendous range of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. i feel lucky to have found his practice
Reviewed on Nov 19, 2019
excellent care from a very capable physician
Reviewed on Nov 8, 2019
doc welches is thee BEST doc I've Ever had. caring, knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, and respectful! need more of his ilk.
Reviewed on Nov 8, 2019
Dr. Welches is the quintessential physician. He recently impressed me with his insight to a new approach to care for me based on information I provided several weeks ago; he obviously had given thought about me as his patient between appointments and suggested a new treatment that is working! He listens well and retains the information as he remembers me and my circumstances; describes in full detail what problems present and what steps he is taking to provide care; looks at the full person, not one problem at a time; shows great care in touch, word, and eye contact. A very gifted practitioner in all ways. I have referred friends to him.
Reviewed on Nov 8, 2019
Have already referred several friends to Dr. Welches.
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2019
Dr. Welches is obviously very much in demand. He came highly recommended from one of his patients, but it took about two months to see him. When one is dealing with pain, that is a long time. De. Welches wanted to see me for 4 weeks straight. I saw him 10/23, but could not see him again till the beginning of January. I find lengthy waits to see competent doctors the norm, not the exception. The slogan you used to advertise about same day appointments...definitely FAKE NEWS!
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2019
Dr. Welches handled me well, in a very professional manner. He is not one for chit-chat but does what needs doing efficiently, methodically, and expertly. He informed me of a few things and then worked. My experience and results were good, and I look forward to future visits (which aren't coming soon enough. He is entitled, of course, to vacation, and again, of course, he see other patients.)Tiffany, who was in the room, did not provide any service but < I guess, in this day and age, a male doctor with a female patient needs another person/woman in the room---sad commentary on our society.
Reviewed on Oct 14, 2019
I recommend Dr. Welches to many people.
Reviewed on Oct 14, 2019
Dr Welches is Extremely Professional , informative and answers all questions.
Reviewed on Oct 11, 2019
Dr. whelches is a wonderful doctor. he listens closley to you and explains why he is doing what he is doing. he gives me hope.
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2019
Always recommend Dr. Welches!
Reviewed on Oct 8, 2019
Dr. Welches is great, but waiting 6-8 weeks for an appointment is ridiculous!
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2019
Dr Welches is very gentle and the treatment really helps my back pain. He answers my questions and I never feel rushed
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2019
Dr was recommended to me by my 86 year old mother who he has helped with her back problems
Reviewed on Sep 20, 2019
Dr. Welches did not say one word to me during the whole 40 min. visit, except "Hi, how are you?" while walking in, and "Alright, that's it, bye." as he grabbed the door handle to leave. He did not ask me anything about my issues, conditions, or pains. This makes you feel very uncomfortable. During a first initial visit, I asked him what he thinks can be causing my issues; he got mad, snapped at me and said he didn't know, and that he already told me that...it was my first appointment. I am not comfortable asking him anything anymore. It is clear that he knows he is the only D.O. at the Clinic that does this type of treatment, and treats people like they are disposable, because he can.
Reviewed on Sep 20, 2019
I understand that we don't choose a specific doctor to make friends, and that some doctors are more of an introvert; but there is an expectation of at least being acknowledged as a human being, let alone a patient seeking out a doctor for information and treatment. This is by far a big void and an issue with Dr. Welches.
Reviewed on Aug 20, 2019
Dr. Welches does not have the greatest personality and definitely a man of a few words. However, he knows what he is doing and I always get results which is the most important to me.
Reviewed on Aug 7, 2019
I have recommended and referred Dr Welch's to anyone I encounter who has problems with pain management
Reviewed on Aug 5, 2019
Dr. Welches seems very intelligent and to-the-point. He is not a particularly warm, compassionate man, from what I can tell, and that was off-putting.
Reviewed on Aug 2, 2019
The doctor was very nice and very thorough in regards to obtaining information about me. I was very comfortable and encouraged.
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2019
diagnostically most skilled Dr i've ever met, with therapy skills to match. He's helping long standing conditions unwind gently yet quickly.
Reviewed on Jul 16, 2019
Dr. Welches is very professional and very skilled. I have already recommended him to others.
Reviewed on Jul 11, 2019
The treatment the physician provides helps me; however, he doesn't give any conclusions about my condition nor present a treatment plan.
Reviewed on Jul 10, 2019
Support staff, nurses & Dr. Welches were all courteous, professional, pleasant & helpful.
Reviewed on Jul 5, 2019
Dr Welches saves me from having to take pain relievers for serious pain caused by injuries. without him I would be in chronic pain and my life would be miserable. you need more like him. he is direct and efficient and thorough
Reviewed on Jul 5, 2019
You need more Dr Welches to combat pain and overuse of pain medication.
Reviewed on Jul 2, 2019
Dr Welches is a 110 out of 100
Reviewed on Jun 20, 2019
Dr Welches provides excellent care, and clear, advanced strategies for hands-on treatment of pain. He demonstrates appropriate empathy, patience, listening, validation of a patient's concerns, offers coping strategies, and all done with great respect. He is one of a kind!
Reviewed on Jun 10, 2019
doctor was very thorough good job
Reviewed on Jun 10, 2019
provider was very good
Reviewed on Apr 30, 2019
awesome diagnostian, effective treatment on the first visit. thrilled to find this dr.
Reviewed on Apr 18, 2019
Dr Welches is true asset to the clinic. so pleased I found him.
Reviewed on Apr 2, 2019
Dr Welches is one of the best doctors I have & have ever interacted with as a care provider.
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2019
Dr. Welches has the ability to put a patient at ease, discussing my health issues and treatment. I have never left his office after a treatment that I didn't feel relieved of pain. You can tell he is methodical and precise.
Reviewed on Mar 6, 2019
Dr Welches provides the highest caliber of care! He is empathic, patient, efficient, compassionate, gifted and is clearly highly educated and skilled in joint manipulation, pain management, etc.
Reviewed on Mar 4, 2019
Recommend Dr. Welches to everyone!!
Reviewed on Feb 22, 2019
without dr Welches I would be living in debilitating pain. he is amazing
Reviewed on Feb 12, 2019
Dr. Welches is an accomplished professional and I trust him completely with my care. He's an outstanding communicator and highly skilled in the therapies he provides. I have referred several people to him.