Our New York pain management doctors are here to help you manage your chronic and acute pain.
Over 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain conditions, with musculoskeletal pain being the leading cause of disability nationwide. At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our experienced pain management doctors and specialists provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatments to help you reclaim your life from pain.
Long-term pain can be debilitating and can present in a wide variety of ways. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain from a long commute, arthritis pain, or suffering the aftermath of a sporting injury, our team of pain management specialists is here to help. Our surgeons are consistently ranked among the best pain management doctors in NYC, and with offices located across the city, you’re never too far from help.
What is pain management?
Pain management is a specialized medical field focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing various types of pain conditions. Our pain management doctors are highly trained orthopedic specialists who understand the complex nature of pain and how it can affect your day-to-day life.
Pain management goes beyond simply masking the symptoms. Our team identifies the underlying issues and works with you to put together a treatment plan that targets the root cause and alleviates the condition as far as is possible. We understand that chronic and acute pain causes more than discomfort. It can often come with emotional and mental struggles that need to be accounted for. Our approach takes this into account and offers you the care and acknowledgement you deserve.
The two types of pain management
We categorize pain in two ways:
- Acute Pain – This type of pain is sudden and results from a specific event, such as an injury or surgery. It can be accompanied by inflammation and loss of mobility, though this is usually temporary.
Acute pain can be treated for a certain amount of time. It will fade when the underlying problem is corrected, such as when an injury heals or muscles and ligaments are re-strengthened and inflammation subsides following trauma.
- Chronic Pain – This type of pain is persistent and caused by a chronic disease. These diseases are not easily curable and are sometimes irreversible. Chronic pain lasts for long periods and must be continuously managed.
This type of pain is most often the result of conditions such as arthritis. Several forms of therapy are used on a routine basis to prevent the pain and allow a patient to function despite their permanent condition.
What do pain management doctors do?
Pain management specialists are medical doctors who have completed additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating pain conditions. At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our pain management doctors:
- Conduct detailed pain assessments and diagnostic evaluations
- Develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific condition
- Perform advanced diagnostic procedures and imaging to identify issues
- Administer targeted injections and perform minimally invasive procedures
- Work with other team specialists to provide comprehensive care
- Track your progress and alter treatment plans as needed
- Educate on pain management and ways to modify your lifestyle, if required.
How do pain management doctors diagnose and treat pain?
Before pain management treatments may begin, our team has to diagnose the likely cause of your ailment. The causes of pain can be varied, so our specialists have to be sure they can identify and understand the likely culprit.
We’ll start by asking a few questions, such as past injuries, previous conditions, lifestyle habits, and the type of pain felt, such as burning, stabbing, dull, or aching sensations. After this background knowledge is acquired, we may suggest several diagnostic tests and examinations to help us determine what’s going on.
This may involve:
- Physical Examination helps us locate problem areas by asking a patient to perform a task or manually feeling the trouble area. A doctor is usually able to feel trigger points in muscles or dislocations.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the most common type of imaging used to diagnose musculoskeletal issues and tissue damage. Magnetic waves create an image of the skeletal system and the muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments attached to it, helping us locate damage to bone and tissue, such as fractures, diseased tissues, or structural abnormalities.
- X-rays are radio frequency images that display the skeletal structure alone. This is useful in diagnosing fractures, trauma injuries, or other skeletal deformities like bone spurs or grinding joints.
- Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG & Nerve Conduction Studies) is done to record the electrical activity produced by the nervous system. A specialist can read a series of graphs that record the electrical pulses and recognize areas of nerve dysfunction. These tests help us to locate which nerves are the cause of the abnormalities. This is highly effective in diagnosing neuromuscular conditions and pinpointing what areas must be treated.
Once we’ve investigated and have a root cause, we’ll work with you on a personalized treatment plan that can help manage your pain and get you back to your best.
Comprehensive Pain Management Treatment in NYC
Now that we’ve identified what’s causing your discomfort, our pain management doctors in NYC can use their expertise to create a tailored treatment plan that fits your personal needs and lifestyle requirements.
“Chronic pain affects every aspect of your life, from sleep to work to relationships, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Our comprehensive pain management approach combines cutting-edge treatments with compassionate care to help you reclaim control over your daily activities.” – Dr. Leon Popovitz, MD, Co-Founder of New York Bone & Joint.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
One of our physical therapists will build an individualized routine of healing techniques, stretches, and exercises that will gradually rehabilitate a targeted area. Our sessions usually start with healing techniques, such as ice or heat applied to the painful area, in order to control pain and make the following activities easier to perform.
Once any swelling or soreness has subsided, a type of manual therapy or massage may be used to relax and manipulate tissues. Stretching will increase the flexibility of these tissues, restoring the body part’s range of motion. Strengthening takes place last, increasing blood flow to muscles and slowly building their endurance for activities that could trigger pain.
NYBJ’s pain management doctors work closely with our physical therapy team to provide:
- Customized exercise programs
- Manual therapy techniques
- Pain education and coping strategies
- Ergonomic assessments
- Return-to-work programs
MEDICATIONS
We may suggest some medications to help alleviate the pain and make it easier to perform the stretching and strengthening exercises in our treatment plans. These medications may include:
- Anti-Inflammatories: These drugs consist of ibuprofen or aspirin, which can reduce swelling, provide pain relief, and increase mobility.
- Corticosteroids: These are steroid-induced anti-inflammatory drugs that are given in very controlled doses manually to a targeted area, providing pain relief for long periods of time.
- Muscle Relaxants: Small doses of muscle relaxants can ease muscle spasms, which often cause acute pain and prohibit a patient from performing simple tasks or exercises.
- Pain Relievers: Pain relief drugs are usually given in single prescriptions to ease any pain directly after injury or surgery. By alleviating pain, we’re better able to perform our exercises.
INJECTIONS
We may also suggest specialized injection therapy for more serious or long-lasting injuries. These injections can help reduce severe pain and promote the body’s natural healing processes. These may include the following:
- Interventional Pain Management: Advanced interventional pain management utilizes sophisticated techniques and injections to diagnose and treat chronic pain conditions that haven’t responded to other treatments. Procedures include Epidural Steroid Injections, Facet Joint Injections, and Nerve Blocks.
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection: A corticosteroid injection into irritated and inflamed hip joints to relieve lower back and hip pain.
- Viscosupplementation Injection: A synthetic lubricant injected into arthritic or osteoarthritic joints to reduce friction and inflammation caused by the loss of natural synovial fluid.
- Tendinitis Injection: Corticosteroid injections treat tendinitis by reducing inflammation and pain, enabling physical therapy or providing months of relief.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: A type of regenerative medicine that uses blood to ‘regenerate’ and heal injured body areas.
Types of Pain We Treat
Our pain management specialists in NYC have extensive experience treating a wide range of pain conditions:
Chronic Back Pain
Back pain affects millions of New Yorkers, with a range of causes from poor posture to degenerative disc disease. Our specialists use advanced techniques including epidural injections, facet joint procedures, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Neck Pain
Whether from poor posture, whiplash injuries, or cervical spine conditions, our pain management doctors provide targeted treatments including cervical injections, trigger point therapy, and specialized physical therapy.
Arthritis Pain
Joint pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions can significantly impact your quality of life. We offer joint injections, viscosupplementation, and coordinated care with our orthopedic specialists.
Neuropathic Pain
Nerve pain conditions like sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, and post-surgical nerve pain require specialized treatment approaches. Our doctors use advanced nerve blocks, medications, and neuromodulation techniques.
Sports-Related Pain
From overuse injuries to acute trauma, our pain management specialists work with athletes and active individuals to provide rapid pain relief while maintaining performance goals.
Post-Surgical Pain
Following orthopedic procedures, our pain management doctors help optimize recovery through targeted pain control strategies that promote healing and prevent chronic pain development.
Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletal conditions can often present as headaches and migraines. Our specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment, including trigger point injections and lifestyle modifications.
Why Choose New York Bone & Joint Specialists for Pain Management?
For decades, New York Bone and Joint Specialists has been the trusted choice in the Big Apple for managing pain. Here’s why:
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Expertise You Can Trust
Our pain management doctors are board-certified specialists with extensive training in the latest pain management techniques and technologies.
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Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
From diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation, we provide complete pain management services without the need for multiple referrals.
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Proven Results
Our evidence-based approach has helped thousands of New Yorkers achieve significant pain relief and improved quality of life.
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Convenient NYC Locations
With multiple locations throughout New York, expert pain management care is always accessible.
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Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance plans to make quality pain management care affordable and accessible.
Our top-rated pain management specialists in NYC
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our priority is patient well-being. Our dedicated team of physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and support staff is committed to delivering outstanding care and reassurance to each patient, ensuring the long-term health and management of their chronic or acute pain.
Our pain management doctors are nationally recognized, supported by extensive accreditations, publications, and knowledge. Meet our in-house experts above.
Make an appointment today
Start your recovery today. Book your appointment with New York Bone & Joint Specialists now.
Pain Management: FAQs
How do I find a pain management doctor near me?
When searching for pain management doctors near you in New York, start by asking your primary care physician or orthopedic doctor for referrals to reputable specialists.
You can also check with your insurance provider for in-network pain management doctors in your area. At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, we have multiple convenient locations throughout NYC, making it easy to find expert pain management care close to home. Look for board-certified pain management specialists who offer comprehensive services and work with multidisciplinary teams for the best outcomes.
When should I see a pain management specialist?
You should consider seeing a pain management specialist near you if you experience persistent pain lasting more than three months, pain that interferes with daily activities, sleep, or work, or if your current treatment isn’t providing adequate relief.
If you have complex pain conditions like neuropathic pain, chronic back pain, or arthritis, a pain management doctor can provide specialized treatments that your primary care physician may not offer.
What can I expect during my first visit to a pain management doctor?
During your initial consultation, our pain management specialist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and review of any previous imaging or test results.
They’ll discuss your pain symptoms, how they affect your daily life, and previous treatments you’ve tried. Based on this assessment, they’ll develop a personalized treatment plan that may include diagnostic tests, medications, injections, or referrals to our physical therapy team.
Are pain management treatments covered by insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover pain management treatments, including consultations, diagnostic procedures, and many interventional treatments.
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, we work with most insurance providers and our staff will help verify your coverage and benefits before treatment. We’ll also discuss any out-of-pocket costs upfront so you can make informed decisions about your care.
How long does it take to see results from pain management treatment?
The timeline for pain relief varies depending on your specific condition and treatment approach. Some patients experience immediate relief from certain injections, while others may need several weeks of treatment to see significant improvement.
Chronic pain conditions typically require a comprehensive approach with gradual improvement over time. Our pain management doctors will set realistic expectations and monitor your progress closely, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to optimize results.
