MEET

DR ANDREW HOU

Interventional Spine

Dr Andrew Hou

LOCATIONS

  • Dublin

  • Walnut Creek

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE

“I use the latest minimally invasive techniques to return patients to an active lifestyle.”

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About Dr Hou

Dr. Hou is a fellowship-trained, board-certified interventional spine physician who specializes in the nonsurgical treatment of neck and back disorders. He utilizes percutaneous, x-ray guided procedures to evaluate and treat painful spinal disorders.

Prior to joining Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, Dr. Hou founded and developed multiple Interventional Spine Care Centers in Virginia and had the honor of receiving the “Best Bedside Manner” award, voted on by patients.

Dr. Hou grew up in the Bay Area. He enjoys an active lifestyle including Goruck and Tough Mudder obstacle endurance events, training in martial arts, playing paintball with his children, and running Disney races with his wife.

Pain Medicine Fellowship
Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R July 2006 – June 2007
Richmond, VA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency
Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University July 2003 – June 2006
Richmond, VA

Internal Medicine Internship
Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University July 2002 – June 2003
Richmond, VA

Doctor of Medicine
Medical College of Virginia August 1998 – May 2002
Richmond, VA

Bachelor of Arts in Molecular and Cell Biology
University of California at Berkeley August 1991 – December 1995
Berkeley, CA

“Top 5 Causes of Low Back Pain” Orthopedics 101 Symposium, LifestylesRx. September 25, 2014.

“Interventional Spine Procedures” Physical Therapy Staff Education Series, Advanced Orthopaedics Hand and Physical Therapy Center. April 30, 2013.

“Avoiding Complications from Interventional Spine Techniques and Patient Safety” Nursing Staff Education Series, Advanced Orthopaedics Surgical Suite. April 2, 2013.

“Spine Anatomy and Injection Procedures” Nursing Staff Education Series, Advanced Orthopaedics Surgical Suite. March 8, 2011.

“The Myth of Radiocontrast, Iodine and Shellfish Allergies” In-Service, Advanced Orthopaedics Surgical Suite. November 14, 2008.

“Electrodiagnostic Evaluation of Radiculopathy” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. May 11, 2007

“Neurostimulation System Implantation Technique” Pain Management Grand Rounds, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center. October 26, 2006

“Local Anesthetics and Regional Anesthesia” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. October 6, 2006.

“Fundamentals of Spinal Cord Stimulation” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Grand Rounds. September 29, 2006.

“Spine Provocative Testing and Relevance” Introduction to PM&R Lecture Series, Medical College of Virginia Department of School of Medicine. February 7, 2006.

“Sports Chronobiology: Sleep and Peak Performance” Medical College of Virginia Department of Department of PM&R Grand Rounds. January 20, 2006.

“Medical Complications in Inpatient Rehabilitation” In-Service, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center. November 17, 2005.

“Botulinum Toxin Type A for Non-surgical Lateral Release in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Case Study.” AAPM&R Annual Assembly Poster Presentation. October 28, 2005.

Hou A, Drake DF, Pidcoe P, Ericksen J. “Botulinum Toxin Type A for Non-surgical Lateral Release in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Case Study.” Archives of PM&R 2005;86(9):e26.

“Medical Complications After Traumatic Brain Injury” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. October 24, 2005, 2005.

“Spine Anatomy and Functional Examination” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Anatomy Review Series. August 5, 2005.

“Rehabilitation of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis” In-Service, HCR-Manor Care Health Services. June 16, 2005.

“Diving Medicine” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Grand Rounds. May 20, 2005.

“When the Hurting Foot Drops; Rheumatoid Vasculitis” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. February 21, 2005.

“Rehabilitation of Open Versus Closed Head Injury” Medical College of Virginia Hospital Rehabilitation and Research Center. September 9, 2004.

“Lumbosacral Plexus and Lower Limb Innervation” PM&R Anatomy Review Series. June 9, 2004.

“Strategies for Rehabilitation After Internal Versus External Hemipelvectomy” Medical College of Virginia Hospital Rehabilitation and Research Center. March 31, 2004.

“Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. February 2, 2004.

“Spinal Cord Injury Medicine” Medical College of Virginia Department of PM&R Resident Didactic Series. September 22, 2003.

“Rehabilitation Management and Treatment of Conversion Disorder” Medical College of Virginia Hospital Rehabilitation and Research Center. August 21, 2003.

Kulikauskas R., Hou A., Muschietti J., McCormick S. “Comparison of Diverse Plant Species Reveal That Only Grasses Show Drastically Reduced Levels of Ubiquitin Monomer in Mature Pollen.” Sex Plant Reproduction, 1995;8:326-332.

2005-2006 MCV Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinical Excellence Awards

2002 MCV Department of Internal Medicine Outstanding Intern Award

1998 Bayer Quality Excellence Award

Reviews

About Dr Hou

Jenny Lin
Mar 04, 2023
Google

Dr. Hou is professional and friendly. He explained my condition to me clearly in detail, and answered all my questions patiently. l felt that he is the doctor l can trust. l highly recommend him.

Tracy Kass
Jan 19, 2023
Google

This is Jeff Kass, not Tracy Kass. Dr Hou changed my life. For years I struggled with severe neck and shoulder pain. I tried physical therapy, pain relief patches, triple point shots etc all to little or no avail. Then a friend referred me to Dr Hou. He diagnosed the problem exactly and explained it to me clearly. He has given me a few precisely located epidurals widely spaced in time that have kept me pain free for 5 years.

David Bengtson
Dec 19, 2022
Google

Dr. Hou is currently treating a pinched nerve in my neck with the utmost care and comprehensive professionalism. He is very easy to talk to, listens to your concerns, and explains the issues in an easily understood manner. I highly recommend Dr. Hou!

Vivian Sotelo
Aug 02, 2022
Google

Thanks to Dr. Peatman I have been Dr. Hou's patient approximately 4+ years and have received the best of care from him and his staff...he listens to my issues and gives me his analysis and recommendations...so happy to have him as my provider

35lhasley@gmail.com Hasley
Jul 07, 2022
Google

Dr. Hou, is a very good doctor he very patient with you. Meaning that he goes over everything that’s going on with you and what he’s going to do. When he’s done you fully understand everything. During my procedure he made sure I was comfortable. GREAT Doctor and his nurse Selena is excellent and very professional.

Sami A.
Oct 11, 2021
Yelp

I am currently being treated by Dr. Hou. First, he truly does have the best bedside manners I have ever seen. Second, he takes all the time in the world to explain the issue, your options, and answer all your questions. Lastly, this doc knows his stuff. He's super competent and will try to do whatever is necessary to get you healed without surgery. He's easily one of the best doctors I have been treated by.  Thank you Dr. Hou!

Mara Molina
Oct 31, 2019
Google

I am writing this review on behalf of my 80 year old mother who is a patient of Dr. Hou. She is so excited to leave this review for him. “I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Hou. He is an expert in his field. He explains everything and truly cares about finding a solution to pain. He cares about the whole person, physically and emotionally; it’s apparent in his patient bed-side manner.. He is also personable; it's really easy to talk to him. I had been experiencing excruciating lower back pain that was shooting down both legs causing weakness in my legs. He very quickly diagnosed me with inflammation and set me up for a noninvasive outpatient procedure at a surgery center. The pain subsided almost immediately. By my follow-up appointment, I was 75% pain free. Now, just 3 months after my procedure, I am completely pain free!! My pain is GONE. Dr. Hou and his staff are efficient and nice. I highly recommend Dr. Hou!”

M M.
Oct 30, 2019
Yelp

I am writing this review on behalf of my 80 year old mother who is a patient of Dr. Hou. She is so excited to leave this review for him. "I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Hou. He is an expert in his field. He explains everything and truly cares about finding a solution to pain. He cares about the whole person, physically and emotionally; it's apparent in his patient bed-side manner.. He is also personable; it's really easy to talk to him. I had been experiencing excruciating lower back pain that was shooting down both legs causing weakness in my legs. He very quickly diagnosed me with inflammation and set me up for a noninvasive outpatient procedure at a surgery center. The pain subsided almost immediately. By my follow-up appointment, I was 75% pain free. Now, just 3 months after my procedure, I am completely pain free!! My pain is GONE. Dr. Hou and his staff are  efficient and nice. I highly recommend Dr. Hou!"

Steve R.
Nov 16, 2018
Yelp

I have never written a Yelp review for a physician before but felt compelled to based on my recent visits with Dr. Hou.  He is a wonderful doctor, extremely knowledgable and patient as he responded to all of my inquiries.  More often than not, doctors overbook and seemed rushed when they finally enter the exam room.  This is not the case with Dr. Hou. I have seen him a few times for a variety of ailments and he always takes his time.  I had an epidural with Dr. Hou several weeks ago and my neck is significantly better after that injection.  He does not push for procedures that aren't necessary if he feels rest or physical therapy will help remedy the situation. Steven R

Keith Videtto
Jul 27, 2018
Google

I have been with Dr. Hou for 2 years with bulged disks L 3/4 L 4/5 with severe nerve pain down my leg. Went with cortisone injection worked for about 60 days went again worked for 90 days went again worked for 6 months went again has lasted 9 months and I feel great. between the first few injections I felt there was no hope it was never going to get better. He told me to be patient it would and it has. I am a low hdcp golfer and this has made it that I can golf as much as I want and picked up club head speed. His assistant is AMAZING! He always listened to me and gave me options and I can't be more happy and thankful. Sent him 2 referrals of friends with same situation and he helped them in the same manner and they are both feeling great. Thanks Dr. Hou!

Assisting the Doctor:

Golden State Ortho Doctor showing caring hands

Golden State Ortho Doctors are assisted by our clinical support teams which include Medical Assistants, X-Ray Technicians and more.

Reviews Mean So Much!

Reviews mean so much to both the doctor providing care as well as to prospective patients. We appreciate your reviews!

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Hou.  Now, just 3 months after my procedure, I am completely pain free!! My pain is GONE. Dr. Hou and his staff are efficient and nice. I highly recommend Dr. Hou!
- Mara M

I have been a patient of Dr. Hou’s for three years. He’s one of the most kind and caring doctors I’ve ever met. His assistant was also very kind and helpful.
- David W

I have been with Dr. Hou for 2 years.  I can’t be more happy and thankful. Sent him 2 referrals of friends with same situation and he helped them in the same manner and they are both feeling great. Thanks Dr. Hou!
- Keith V