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  • About the Provider
  • Education & Board Certification
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Ciara Espinoza, MD, is a graduate of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas, where she earned her medical degree in 2021. After completing an internship at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, she headed to New York City, New York, where she completed a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in 2025. Dr. Espinoza joined Kelsey-Seybold as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician in September 2025.

For Dr. Espinoza, caring for patients is a way for her to live out her love of learning and passion for serving others. She sees patients for issues related to pain, weakness, decreased mobility, or loss of function following injury, illness, or surgery. As a physiatrist, Dr. Espinoza treats a wide range of conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, musculoskeletal pain, chronic back pain, sports-related injuries, amputations, and neurologic disorders. Her clinical interests include the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal conditions such as back, shoulder, and knee pain, as well as the use of electrodiagnostic studies (EMG) to diagnose nerve and muscle disorders. She is particularly focused on helping patients regain function and reduce pain through comprehensive, non-surgical approaches. Through her work, Dr. Espinoza finds it most rewarding to build relationships with patients and to play a part in helping them return to the activities they enjoy.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Espinoza builds trust with her patients by taking the time to clearly explain their diagnoses and involving them in every step of the treatment plans, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and heard throughout their care. She starts thoughtfully with the least invasive treatments that are carefully individualized for each patient—and only advances to more involved interventions if needed and clinically indicated.

Hobbies & Interests

Dr. Espinoza’s hobbies include going to Broadway shows, comedy shows, concerts, and scary movies—as well as trying new restaurants and going for walks.

Joined Kelsey-Seybold: September 2025

Awards & Publications

Publications

Espinoza, C. (2023). Daytime Napping Benefits in Elite Soccer Players. [Summary of the article Daytime Napping Benefits Passing Performance and Scanning Activity in Elite Soccer Players, by Nishida, Masaki, et al.]. Rehab in Review, July 2023. 1. https://rehabinreview.com/

Espinoza, C. (2023). Association of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) with Quadratus Lumborum and Lower Limb Muscle Tightness a Cross-Sectional Study. [Summary of the article Association of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) with Quadratus Lumborum and Lower Limb Muscle Tightness a Cross-Sectional Study, by Sannasi, Rajasekar, et al.]. Rehab in Review, June 2023. 1. https://rehabinreview.com/

Medical School

  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine - Lubbock, TX, 2021

Internship/Residency

  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program - New York, NY, 2025
Dr. Espinoza is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists.

Locations

Upper Kirby Clinic

3102 Kirby Drive,
Houston, TX 77098

Get Directions 346-674-2300

Berthelsen Main Campus

2727 W. Holcombe Blvd.,
Houston, TX 77025

Get Directions 713-442-0000

Accepted Insurance