Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan
✓ Medically verified profileProf. Dr. Emel Özcan
✓ Medically verified profile
Quick answer
Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist at Acibadem Atakent Hospital in İstanbul with 44+ years of experience.
She treats chronic low back pain, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, ankylosing spondylitis, work-related and repetitive motion upper extremity disorders, post-polio syndrome, and provides rehabilitation for stroke, paraplegia, and hemiplegia, as well as dextrose prolotherapy, acupuncture, epidural injections, and spinal manipulation. She consults in Turkish and English and offers online…
About Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan
Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist with 44 years of experience. Her listed areas of expertise include ankylosing spondylitis, post-polio syndrome, chronic low back pain and musculoskeletal pain. She also treats symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, and performs dextrose prolotherapy, acupuncture and epidural injections.
Dr. Özcan graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1975 and completed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine in 1980. She became Associate Professor at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in 1984, and was awarded the rank of Prof. Dr. by Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in 1990. The Medical Specialization Board listed Algology in 2011.
Her international periods include paraplegia rehabilitation, hemiplegia rehabilitation, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy and electrodiagnostics at Universite Catholique de Lauvain, Service de Medicine Physique et Readaptation, Brussels, Belgium, in 1982. In 1986, she undertook spinal manipulations, epidural injections and local injections at Hopital Hotel Dieu Service de Rééducation Functionnelle, Paris, France. She also studied rheumatic diseases and low back pain at the University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Center, University of Manchester and Oxford, UK, in 1989. Dr. Özcan joined Acibadem Health Group in 2025.
The profile lists 4 professional bodies, among them the Algology Association, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Association and the Association of Physicians Specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The profile lists 10 publications dated between 1983 and 2020. Their subjects include dextrose prolotherapy and musculoskeletal pain, ankylosing spondylitis, and ergonomic intervention and work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Özcan speaks Turkish and English. Online consultation is available, allowing patients abroad to speak with her before travelling.
Areas of Expertise
Conditions treated and procedures performed by this specialist.
Education
- 2011Medical Specialization Board Algology
- 1990Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Prof. Dr.
- 1984Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Associate Professor
- 1980Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- 1975Ankara University Faculty of Medicine
- Acupuncture Practice Certified Training Program
- Prolotherapy Practice Certified Training Program
Professional Experience
- 2025Acibadem Health Group
- 2021–2024Private Medical Center
- 2018Head of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
- 2016Prolotherapy Workshop, Prolotherapy Course organized by Hacket Hemwall Paterson Foundation and University of Wisconsin in Wisconsin
- 2014Prolotherapy Workshop, Participation in the Prolotherapy Course organized by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM) in Mexico
- 2014Observation at the Hemwall Center for Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine and Marc Darrow Wellness Institute in Los Angeles
- 2007Boston, USA, Harvard Public Health School, Human Factors- Ergonomics Courses, Strategic Solutions and Ergonomics in the Workplace
- 2004Ann Arbor and Minneapolis, USA, Humantech Seminars, Participation in ergonomics courses on Industrial Applied Ergonomics, Applied Office Ergonomics and Creating Ergonomics Programs
- 2002Rotterdam, Holland, Spine and Joint Center, Prevention of low back pain and participation in special exercise techniques
- 2000Coordinator of the establishment of Rehabilitation Hospital at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine
- 1995Owner and medical director of Functional Rehabilitation Center in Istanbul
- 1993Working at the National Institute of Health in Washington D.C. USA on neuromuscular diseases and postpolio syndrome and participating in the following two studies.
- 1992Washington D.C. USA, National Rehabilitation Hospital, working on prevention and rehabilitation of low back pain, repetitive motion disorders, industrial rehabilitation, return to work programs
- 1991Study 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.
- 1989Oxford Back School at the University of Manchester and Oxford, UK, University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Center, studying rheumatic diseases and low back pain.
- 1986–2019Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Algology
- 1986Spinal manipulations, epidural injections and local injections at Hopital Hotel Dieu Service de Rééducation Functionnelle, Paris, France
- 1983Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- 1983Study 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.
- 1982Brussels, Belgium: Paraplegia rehabilitation, hemiplegia rehabilitation occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, electrodiagnostics at Universite Catholique de Lauvain, Service de Medicine Physique et Readaptation.
Professional Memberships
- Osteoporosis Association
- Association of Physicians Specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Association
- Algology Association
Selected 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dr. Emel Özcan's specialty?
Which hospital does Dr. Emel Özcan practise at?
What languages can I use when consulting Dr. Emel Özcan?
How can I book an appointment with Dr. Emel Özcan?
Is an online video consultation available with Dr. Emel Özcan?
How many years of experience does Dr. Emel Özcan have?
Can international patients arrange treatment with Dr. Emel Özcan?
How do I get a second opinion involving Dr. Emel Özcan?
A dedicated team, from first message to follow-up
Our international patient office coordinates your appointment, travel and treatment at JCI-accredited Acıbadem hospitals — and stays with you in your own language, every step of the way.
Schedule your appointment with Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan
Choose a date and time that suits you. Our international patient team will check availability and confirm your appointment — usually within 24 hours.
- 1Choose your date & timePick a preferred day and time slot for your visit.
- 2Share your detailsTell us how to reach you and anything we should know.
- 3We confirm with youOur team confirms the appointment by phone or email.
Request your appointment
This request goes directly to this doctor’s schedule.
Your information stays strictly confidential and is used only to arrange your care.
Medical Units
Treatments Performed
What patients say about Prof. Dr. Emel Özcan
★★★★★From 2,400+ verified patient reviews“My tinnitus assessment exceeded every expectation I had. Dr. Özcan was thorough, professional and genuinely caring. The follow-up care was just as good as the treatment itself.”
“As worried parents, we could not have asked for better care for our child's fever assessment. Dr. Özcan answered all our worried questions without making us feel silly. The nursing staff were attentive and kind throughout.”
“Years of worry ended once I came here for my myomectomy. Dr. Özcan is clearly an expert and it showed at every stage. The facilities were spotless and modern.”
“From the first consultation to discharge, my pregnancy follow-up went smoothly. Dr. Özcan explained every step clearly and never rushed me. The whole experience was organised and reassuring.”