Emel Özcan

Prof. Emel Özcan is a dedicated physician specializing in algology (pain medicine) with board certification in algology since 2011. She brings clinical expertise and a patient-centered approach to pain management. In 2025 she joined Acibadem Health Group, where she continues to deliver comprehensive care, combining evidence-based treatments and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes. Prof. Özcan is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Osteoporosis Association, the Association of Physicians Specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Association, and the Algology Association. Her memberships reflect a commitment to ongoing professional development and to integrating musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation principles into pain management. Known for her clinical leadership and collaborative practice, Prof. Özcan focuses on personalized treatment plans that address both acute and chronic pain, aiming to restore function and quality of life for her patients.

Education

• 2011 Medical Specialization Board Algology
• 1990 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Prof. Dr.
• 1984 Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Associate Professor
• 1980 Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 1975 Ankara University Faculty of Medicine
• Acupuncture Practice Certified Training Program
• Prolotherapy Practice Certified Training Program

Experience

• 2025 Acibadem Health Group
• 2021 – 2024 Private Medical Center
• 1986 – 2019 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Algology
• 2018 Head of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
• 2016 Prolotherapy Workshop, Prolotherapy Course organized by Hacket Hemwall Paterson Foundation and University of Wisconsin in Wisconsin
• 2014 Prolotherapy Workshop, Participation in the Prolotherapy Course organized by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM) in Mexico
• 2014 Observation at the Hemwall Center for Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine and Marc Darrow Wellness Institute in Los Angeles
• 2007 Boston, USA, Harvard Public Health School, Human Factors- Ergonomics Courses, Strategic Solutions and Ergonomics in the Workplace
• 2004 Ann Arbor and Minneapolis, USA, Humantech Seminars, Participation in ergonomics courses on Industrial Applied Ergonomics, Applied Office Ergonomics and Creating Ergonomics Programs
• 2002 Rotterdam, Holland, Spine and Joint Center, Prevention of low back pain and participation in special exercise techniques
• 2000 Coordinator of the establishment of Rehabilitation Hospital at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine
• 1995 Owner and medical director of Functional Rehabilitation Center in Istanbul
• 1993 Working at the National Institute of Health in Washington D.C. USA on neuromuscular diseases and postpolio syndrome and participating in the following two studies.
• 1992 Washington D.C. USA, National Rehabilitation Hospital, working on prevention and rehabilitation of low back pain, repetitive motion disorders, industrial rehabilitation, return to work programs
• 1991 Study on chronic pain treatment and acupuncture and stroke rehabilitation at National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington D.C. USA. Participation in research on “Clinical and electrodiagnostic findings in Postpolio Syndrome” and Clinical Management of Enigmatic Pain, Post Doctorate Certificate program.
• 1989 Oxford Back School at the University of Manchester and Oxford, UK, University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Center, studying rheumatic diseases and low back pain.
• 1986 Spinal manipulations, epidural injections and local injections at Hopital Hotel Dieu Service de Rééducation Functionnelle, Paris, France
• 1983 Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 1983 Study on rheumatic diseases and rehabilitation and local injections at the Clinique de Rhumatologie, Hopital Cochin, Paris, France. Participation in research on Dosage de Lacide Lactique dans Les liquides synoviaux: une aide au diagnostic des arthrites septique.
• 1982 Brussels, Belgium: Paraplegia rehabilitation, hemiplegia rehabilitation occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, electrodiagnostics at Universite Catholique de Lauvain, Service de Medicine Physique et Readaptation.

Memberships

• Osteoporosis Association
• Association of Physicians Specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Association
• Algology Association

Publications

• The Effects of Dextrose Prolotherapy in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study.
  Journal of altemative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), vol.26, sa.5, pp.409-417, 2020 Sert A. T., Sen E. I., Esmaeilzadeh S., Ozcan E
• Evidence-based use of prolotherapy in treating musculoskeletal pain
  TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, vol.62, sa.2, pp.192-198, 2016 Ozcan E., Sert A. T.
• Poster 404 The Impact of Ankylosing Spondylitis on Work Productivity in Patients with Paid Work.
  thejoumal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, vol8, 2016 SMAEILZADEH S., SEN E., Ozcan E., REZVANI A., KARAN A. PM & R
• Effects of ergonomic intervention on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among Computer workers: a randomized controlled trial.
  International archives of occupational and environmental health, vol.87, s.l, pp.73-83, 2014 Esmaeilzadeh S., Ozcan E., Çapan N.
• Development and validation of a functional disability index for chronic low back pain
  JOURNAL OF BACK AND MUSCULOSCELETAL REHABILITATION, vol.26, s.l, pp.45-54, 2013 Duruoz M. T., Ozcan E., Ketenci A., Karan A.
• Clinimetric properties of the Turkish translation of a modified neck disability index
  BMC MUSCULOSCELETAL DISORDERS, vol. 3, 2012 Kesiktas N., Ozcan E., Vemon H.
• Health and Labour Questionnaire: Turkish Adaptation for Ankylosing Spondylitis
  TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, vol.58, sa.3, pp.204-211, 2012 ÇAKAR E., Ozcan E., Sen E. İ., DURMUŞ O., Karan A., KIRALP M. Z.
• Upper Extremity Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Computer Users and Effectiveness of Ergonomic Interventions
  TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, vol.57, sa.4, pp.236-241, 2011 Ozcan E., Esmaeilzadeh S., BAŞAT H.
• Isokinetic evaluation of ankle muscle strength and fatigue in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
  EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE, vol.47, sa.3, pp.399-405, 2011 Şahin N., Özcan E., Başkent A., KARAN A., EKMECI O., Kasikcioglu E.
• MUSCULAR KINETICS AND FATIGUE EVALUATION OF KNEE USING BY ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
  AÇTA REUMATOLOGICA PORTUGUESA, vol.36, sa.3, pp.252-259, 2011 .l, pp.251-254,1983 Sahin N., Ozcan E., Baskent A., Karan A., Kasikcioglu E