Skip to content
David P. Speach, M.D.

David P. Speach, M.D.

4.9 out of 5 stars
Accountable Health Partner Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the region. AHP offers a full range of care.

About Me

Dr. Speach is a physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, who specializes in the non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions. His primary focus is evaluation and treatment of neck disorders, back disorders, and neck and lower back sources of radiating pain. Treatment opt...
Dr. Speach is a physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, who specializes in the non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions. His primary focus is evaluation and treatment of neck disorders, back disorders, and neck and lower back sources of radiating pain. Treatment options include therapy, medications, and spinal injections. Dr. Speach has additional certification in Neuromuscular Medicine and the use of electrodiagnostic studies to evaluate disorders of muscle and nerves.

He earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical Center and completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at URMC. Dr. Speach has written or reviewed several medical papers and books on rehabilitation topics. He is a board-certified physician and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at URMC.

Certified Specialties

Neuromuscular Medicine - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Faculty Appointments

Clinical Associate Professor (Voluntary) - Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry 1993 - 1996

Transitional Year, St Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse, NY 1988 - 1989

Education

MD | SUNY Upstate Medical Center. Medicine. 1988

BS | University of Notre Dame. Pre-Medical. 1984

Awards

Faculty Teaching Award. 2012

Faculty Teaching Award. 2004

Alpha Omega Alpha. 1987

Publications

Journal Articles

Association of Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Studies in Patients Evaluated for Ulnar Neuropathy.

Sheen S, Speach D, Jones CMC, Raiford ME, Hammert WC

The Journal of hand surgery.. 2025 March 50 (3):259-264. Epub 01/10/2025.

Where Does Ultrasound Fit in the Diagnostic Algorithm for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Chirokikh AA, Carroll TJ, Hoffman S, Speach D, Jones CMC, Ketonis C

Hand : official journal of the American Association for Hand Surgery.. 2025 January 20 (1):87-91. Epub 09/25/2023.

Association between electrodiagnosis and neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis and assessment of severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Sheen S, Ahmed A, Raiford ME, Jones CMC, Morrison E, Hauber K, Orsini J, Hammert WC, Speach D

PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation.. 2024 November 16 (11):1190-1194. Epub 03/26/2024.

David P. Speach; Daniel J. Lee; John Elfar; Patrick Abt.

Is medial elbow pain correlated with cubital tunnel syndrome? An electrodiagnostic study

Flushing as a side effect following lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

Everett CR, Baskin MN, Speech D, Novoseletsky D, Patel R

Pain physician.. 2004 October 7 (4):427-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Hypoxic brain injury with motor apraxia following an anaphylactic reaction to hymenoptera venom.

Speach DP, Wong TM, Cattarin JA, Livecchi MA

Brain injury. 1998 March 12 (3):239-44. Epub 1900 01 01.

Recovery from stroke: rehabilitation.

Speach DP, Dombovy ML

Baillière's clinical neurology.. 1995 August 4 (2):317-38. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

The Comprehensive Treatment of the Aging Spine: Minimally Invasive and Advanced (2010)

Chapter: Aquatic Therapy

Authors: Cesarz T. Speach DP.

Publisher: Saunders 2010

Balliere's Clinical Neurology (1995)

Chapter: Recovery from Stroke: Rehabilitation

Authors: Speach DP, Dombovy, ML

Publisher: Bailliere Tindall 1995

Ratings & Comments

At University of Rochester Medicine, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URochester Medicine partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.9 stars

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.9 stars

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.9 stars

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.8 stars

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.9 stars

Patient Comments

5.0 stars

Dr. Speach is the best. He's been my provider for about 20 years. I trust him to act in my best interest and to tell me accurately about my condition. I knew he was retiring and this would be my last visit with him. I am glad he's moving on to enjoy his life but sad for me and his other patients who will miss his caring, gentle and easy manner. I cried and he gave me a hug.

May 05, 2025

5.0 stars

Dr Speach is great - has been my doctor for almost 20 years and is the best. He has moved me to one of his colleagues but I will really miss him. His retirement to be near his grandkids is just further evidence of his commitment to his patients. He will be sorely missed.

May 04, 2025

5.0 stars

Dr. Speach is wonderful

Mar 24, 2025

5.0 stars

Excellent!

Jan 13, 2025

5.0 stars

Dr. Speach is excellent. He listens and responds to what is asked, he doesn't assume, he genuinely cares and he's a nice guy -- someone you want to handle your care.

Dec 16, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr Speach is the best. He is ever present when you see him, follows up with everything, and is on top of everything. He gets the highest score you have!

Oct 11, 2024

5.0 stars

I consistently receive outstanding care from Dr. Speach.

Oct 07, 2024

4.4 stars

Dr. Speach and his counterpart (I don't remember his name) were very considerate of my condition in performing the test. They made efforts to insure I was comfortable. They were very respectful.

Sep 24, 2024

5.0 stars

I have been recommending Dr. Speach two people. He's terrific. Very knowledgeable and help expedite an injection. I need to get quickly! Hands-down I think he's the best specialist around!

Aug 24, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr. Speach took the time to talk with my son and wife. He explained in terms we could understand what the test meant and offered several suggestions to make daily life easier and safer in regards to falls. We were so appreciative of his kind, caring manner

Aug 11, 2024

5.0

Excellent care!!!

Aug 05, 2024

5.0

He is outstanding

May 04, 2024

5.0

Exceptional, caring provider!

Dec 30, 2023

5.0

Dr. Speach is kind and understanding of my issues and gives good advice.

Nov 08, 2023

5.0

I always appreciate that he takes the time to explain options and risk versus benefit

Oct 07, 2023

5.0

Dr. Speach is a wonderful doctor. I enjoy seeing him. He's been my doctor since 2012!

Sep 13, 2023

5.0

Each time interfacing w/Dr. Speach - both in person and via MyChart - has been an excellent experience.

Jul 13, 2023

5.0

Thank You Dr. Speach For Professional and Courteous Support

Jun 09, 2023

5.0

Dr. Speach provided me with options and promptly helped me get on the schedule with the Dr. Everett when I decided.

Mar 27, 2023