Skip to Main Content

Conor O'Neill

MD

Anesthesiologist and pain management physician
Director, Nonoperative Spine Program
Skiing and mountain biking enthusiast

Dr. Conor O'Neill is an anesthesiologist and pain management physician who specializes in using nonsurgical techniques to care for adults with back or neck pain. Using physical medicine and rehabilitation, he works to restore and enhance function and quality of life for patients with physical impairments or disabilities.

O'Neill sees patients at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute's Spine Center. He is also a member of the Orthopaedic Institute Integrated Spine Service, a multidisciplinary team that includes physical therapists and other providers who specialize in nonsurgical treatments for the spine. He is the director of the UCSF Nonoperative Spine Program.

O'Neill's research focuses on improving diagnosis of back and neck pain as well as developing innovative ways to treat them. He also wants to create a model of care for back and neck pain that coordinates the care of providers from various specialties.

O'Neill completed his medical degree at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Washington University and a residency in anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He belongs to the San Francisco Marin Medical Society, North American Spine Society and International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine.

Outside of work, O'Neill enjoys spending time with family, skiing and mountain biking in Lake Tahoe.

  • Education

    Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 1985

  • Residencies

    Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Internal Medicine, 1988

    Massachusetts General Hospital, Anesthesiology, 1991

  • Board Certifications

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Pain Medicine, American Board of Anesthesiology

    Anesthesiology, American Board of Anesthesiology

  • Academic Title

    Professor

My goal is to help patients regain function and quality of life with the least amount of medications and interventions possible.

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.6

    Overall Experience
    131 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 01, 2023
    Dr. O'Neill is an excellent listener very knowledgeable and humane. Amazing memory and is very easy to talk to
    Jul 04, 2023
    I lost the ability to walk due to lower spine trauma almost a year ago. Doctor came in told me there was something wrong but not enough to warrant medical intervention physically examined me for 30 seconds prescribed antidepressants and PT told me my disability may be permanent and that I could leave if I did not like the treatment he prescribed and left the room. All in less than 15 minutes.
    Jun 06, 2023
    This is the second time going to Dr. O'Neill's office and the first visit was very abrupt. It felt like the doctor had something else to do and was very short with his answers. That was the first visit the second visit which was yesterday was even worse he was very dismissive and rude. I know because the first visit was so quick and not very informative. I felt like anything I asked was a wrong question and that I was taking up his valuable time as a patient I waited 2 1/2 months to see Dr. O'Neill because he's the only doctor at UCSF that is able to see Workmen's Comp. Patients and I feel that he may have a different view of the injured worker and with that being not very respectful.
    May 18, 2023
    Dr. O'Neill was so patient and ordered an ultrasound which I had requested but not received from the orthopedic doctor. So grateful he wanted to do this and wanted it at UCSF.
    Mar 23, 2023
    Truly exceptional doctor
    Feb 09, 2023
    My neck pain has been going on for 3 years Dr. O'Neill help me by giving me a Steroid shot In my left side of my neck in the muscle. This is the first time I felt pain relief in years. I am so grateful to him for his help.
    Feb 07, 2023
    Dr O'Neill is great! Caring and knowledgeable!
    Jan 10, 2023
    Excellent care from provider Dr. O'Neill.
    Nov 10, 2022
    Dr O'Neill was very thorough in his examination and invited any questions or concerns. He presented various options and shared his expertise as to what would be of beneficial. Professional and courteous throughout the visit.
    Oct 06, 2022
    This was one of the worst doctor experiences I have had at UCSF.Dr. Was unhelpful crankey and arrogant.
    Sep 01, 2022
    My recommendation will be dependent on the success of Dr. O'Neill's prescribed treatment.
    Sep 01, 2022
    Dr. Is direct and communicates with ease very thorough. Trust him implicitly.
    Aug 19, 2022
    Satisfied
    Aug 03, 2022
    I just read notes. I think it's poor that drs are clearly required to report how much time they spent with patients. He says 40 min and that may be try if you count my time out of the room getting X-rays and waiting for my Uber.
    Jul 13, 2022
    Excellent all round
    Jun 10, 2022
    Great experience. Both the PA and Doctor expressed interest in me as a person not just a patient.
    May 22, 2022
    Dr. O'Neill sees problems far worse than mine all the time so while I would have preferred a little more empathy I can understand why I did not.
    May 18, 2022
    He never went over my MRI and was more concerned about my neck. My visit was a waste of time.
    Mar 25, 2022
    Dr O'Neill was in and out within minutes. Did not empathize with my condition and was quick to deflect my concerns and questions. I was very disappointed in the brief and superficial appointment especially as I had waited two months to consult him as well as drove multiple hours to reach the clinic.Very disappointed
    Mar 10, 2022
    Overall excellent care by the provider. The only thing I would suggest is for him to have a better monitor/camera set up for evisits. His camera was apparently on a different screen than where my Image was displayed so the entire time of the visit he was looking away from me. Kind of distracting. That can be easily remedied.

    Share