Question 1

What is interventional pain management?

Accepted Answer

Interventional pain management uses minimally invasive procedures — such as injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation — to diagnose and treat the root cause of pain rather than masking symptoms with medication alone.

Question 2

Is pain management the same as just prescribing opioids?

Accepted Answer

No. Modern pain management is multimodal and procedure-based. At NYC Pain Management, the focus is on nonsurgical interventions, regenerative therapies, and physical rehabilitation — minimizing or eliminating the need for opioid medications.

Question 3

How many visits does pain management typically require?

Accepted Answer

Treatment frequency depends on your diagnosis and response. Many patients experience significant improvement within 2–4 visits. A personalized care plan is created at your first consultation.

Question 4

Does insurance cover pain management procedures?

Accepted Answer

Most major insurance plans, including Medicare and workers' compensation, cover medically necessary pain management procedures. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins.

Question 5

What injuries are commonly treated after a car accident?

Accepted Answer

Whiplash, cervical strain, lumbar disc herniation, soft tissue injuries, and nerve compression are among the most common auto accident injuries we treat. Many symptoms appear days after the collision.

Question 6

Do I need a police report to start treatment after an auto accident?

Accepted Answer

A police report is helpful but not required to begin treatment. We work directly with no-fault auto insurance (PIP) and personal injury attorneys to ensure you receive care without upfront costs.

Question 7

How soon after an accident should I seek treatment?

Accepted Answer

As soon as possible — ideally within 72 hours. Early evaluation documents injuries for insurance purposes and prevents acute injuries from becoming chronic conditions.

Question 8

Can you treat injuries from accidents that happened months ago?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chronic post-accident pain is treatable. We assess your current condition and create a targeted plan regardless of when the accident occurred.

Question 9

How does acupuncture relieve pain?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture stimulates specific anatomical points to trigger the release of endorphins, modulate the nervous system, and reduce inflammation — providing natural pain relief without medication.

Question 10

Is acupuncture painful?

Accepted Answer

Most patients feel minimal to no discomfort. The needles used are hair-thin, and many people report a mild tingling or warmth at insertion points. Sessions are generally relaxing.

Question 11

What conditions does acupuncture treat at your clinic?

Accepted Answer

We use acupuncture for neck pain, low back pain, headaches, migraines, joint pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and as a complement to other interventional treatments.

Question 12

How many acupuncture sessions are needed?

Accepted Answer

Acute conditions often respond in 4–6 sessions. Chronic conditions may benefit from ongoing maintenance sessions. Your provider will recommend a schedule based on your response.

Question 13

What is an epidural steroid injection?

Accepted Answer

An epidural steroid injection delivers corticosteroid medication directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord, reducing inflammation around compressed nerves to relieve pain from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy.

Question 14

How long does an epidural injection take?

Accepted Answer

The procedure itself takes approximately 15–30 minutes. It is performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance as an outpatient procedure, and most patients go home the same day.

Question 15

How quickly will I feel relief after an epidural injection?

Accepted Answer

Some patients notice improvement within 24–48 hours. Full anti-inflammatory effect typically develops over 3–7 days. Results can last weeks to several months.

Question 16

How many epidural injections can I receive?

Accepted Answer

Most guidelines recommend no more than 3 injections per year in the same region. Your physician will assess your response and determine the appropriate frequency.

Question 17

What are facet joints and why do they cause pain?

Accepted Answer

Facet joints connect adjacent vertebrae and allow spinal movement. Arthritis, injury, or degeneration can inflame these joints, causing localized back or neck pain that worsens with extension or rotation.

Question 18

What does a facet joint injection involve?

Accepted Answer

A small amount of local anesthetic and corticosteroid is injected directly into the facet joint under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure is both diagnostic (confirming the pain source) and therapeutic (reducing inflammation).

Question 19

How long does facet joint injection relief last?

Accepted Answer

Relief varies by patient — some experience weeks of improvement, others months. If injections provide consistent but temporary relief, radiofrequency ablation may offer longer-lasting results.

Question 20

Is a facet joint injection the same as an epidural?

Accepted Answer

No. Epidural injections target the epidural space around the spinal cord. Facet joint injections are placed directly into the small joints along the spine. Both are guided procedures but treat different pain generators.

Question 21

What is functional medicine?

Accepted Answer

Functional medicine identifies and addresses the underlying biological, lifestyle, and environmental factors driving disease — rather than treating symptoms in isolation. It integrates advanced lab testing, nutrition, and personalized protocols.

Question 22

How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?

Accepted Answer

Conventional medicine typically treats symptoms with standardized protocols. Functional medicine creates individualized plans based on your unique biochemistry, genetics, gut health, hormones, and lifestyle factors.

Question 23

What conditions can functional medicine help with?

Accepted Answer

Chronic pain, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysfunction, gut disorders, and inflammatory conditions often respond well to functional medicine approaches.

Question 24

Does functional medicine replace my current treatments?

Accepted Answer

No — it complements them. Functional medicine works alongside interventional pain procedures and conventional care to optimize your overall health and accelerate recovery.

Question 25

What is peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral nerve stimulation delivers mild electrical pulses to a specific peripheral nerve via a small implanted lead, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain — providing targeted relief for localized nerve pain.

Question 26

Which conditions benefit most from PNS?

Accepted Answer

PNS is effective for occipital neuralgia, post-surgical nerve pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), peripheral neuropathy, and chronic pain in the shoulder, knee, or extremities.

Question 27

Is there a trial period before permanent PNS implantation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A temporary trial stimulator is placed first. If you experience at least 50% pain reduction during the trial, a permanent device may be implanted.

Question 28

Is peripheral nerve stimulation reversible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The device can be turned off or removed. It does not damage the nerve and can be adjusted as your condition changes over time.

Question 29

What does physical therapy involve at NYC Pain Management?

Accepted Answer

Our physical therapy programs combine manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation — tailored to your specific diagnosis and functional goals.

Question 30

Do I need a referral for physical therapy?

Accepted Answer

In New York, you can access physical therapy directly without a physician referral for up to 10 visits. However, a referral from our pain management team ensures your PT plan is coordinated with your overall treatment.

Question 31

How is physical therapy different from just exercising at home?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapists perform hands-on manual techniques, identify movement dysfunctions, and prescribe precise therapeutic exercises targeting your specific injury — far beyond what generic home exercise can achieve.

Question 32

Can physical therapy prevent the need for surgery?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. Evidence shows that structured physical therapy is as effective as surgery for conditions like lumbar disc herniation, knee osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tears.

Question 33

What is prolotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Prolotherapy involves injecting a dextrose (sugar water) solution into damaged ligaments, tendons, or joints. This controlled irritant triggers the body's natural healing response, stimulating collagen production and tissue repair.

Question 34

How is prolotherapy different from PRP?

Accepted Answer

Prolotherapy uses a dextrose solution to stimulate healing, while PRP uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood. Both are regenerative, but PRP is generally more potent and used for more significant tissue damage.

Question 35

What conditions does prolotherapy treat?

Accepted Answer

Prolotherapy is effective for chronic ligament laxity, tendinopathy, sacroiliac joint instability, knee ligament injuries, shoulder instability, and spinal hypermobility.

Question 36

How many prolotherapy sessions are needed?

Accepted Answer

Most patients require 3–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Results build progressively as new collagen matures and tissue strength improves.

Question 37

What is PRP therapy?

Accepted Answer

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy concentrates your own platelets — which contain powerful growth factors — and injects them into damaged tissue to accelerate natural healing of tendons, joints, and soft tissue.

Question 38

How is PRP prepared?

Accepted Answer

A small blood sample is drawn and placed in a centrifuge that separates and concentrates the platelets. The resulting PRP is then injected precisely into the target area under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.

Question 39

What conditions respond well to PRP?

Accepted Answer

PRP is effective for knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, hip labral tears, and chronic ligament injuries.

Question 40

How long does it take to see results from PRP?

Accepted Answer

Initial improvement may be noticed within 4–6 weeks. Full tissue remodeling and maximum benefit typically occur over 3–6 months as the growth factors stimulate new collagen and tissue repair.

Question 41

What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA)?

Accepted Answer

Radiofrequency ablation uses precisely controlled heat energy delivered through a needle electrode to disrupt the pain-transmitting nerve fibers responsible for facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain, or other chronic pain conditions.

Question 42

How long does RFA pain relief last?

Accepted Answer

RFA typically provides 6–18 months of significant pain relief. Because nerves can regenerate, the procedure can be safely repeated when pain returns.

Question 43

Is radiofrequency ablation safe?

Accepted Answer

RFA is a well-established, FDA-cleared procedure with an excellent safety profile. It is performed under fluoroscopic guidance with local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Question 44

Who is a good candidate for RFA?

Accepted Answer

Patients who have confirmed facet joint or sacroiliac joint pain — verified by a positive diagnostic nerve block — and who have not achieved lasting relief from injections alone are ideal candidates for RFA.

Question 45

What is the sacroiliac (SI) joint?

Accepted Answer

The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum (base of the spine) to the iliac bones of the pelvis. It bears significant load during walking and standing, and dysfunction here causes low back, buttock, and leg pain.

Question 46

How is SI joint pain diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

SI joint pain is diagnosed through physical examination, provocative tests, and confirmed with a diagnostic injection. If anesthetic injected into the joint provides significant temporary relief, the SI joint is confirmed as the pain source.

Question 47

What does an SI joint injection involve?

Accepted Answer

Under fluoroscopic guidance, a small amount of corticosteroid and anesthetic is injected directly into the SI joint. The procedure takes about 15–20 minutes and is performed as an outpatient.

Question 48

What if SI joint injections stop working?

Accepted Answer

If injections provide temporary but consistent relief, radiofrequency ablation of the lateral branch nerves supplying the SI joint can provide longer-lasting pain control — often 12+ months.

Question 49

What is spinal cord stimulation (SCS)?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord stimulation implants a small device that delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. It is an advanced option for complex, treatment-resistant chronic pain.

Question 50

What conditions is SCS approved for?

Accepted Answer

SCS is FDA-approved for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), chronic radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and refractory angina.

Question 51

Is there a trial before permanent SCS implantation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A temporary trial stimulator is placed for 5–7 days. If you achieve at least 50% pain reduction, a permanent implant is considered. This trial-first approach ensures the therapy works for you before committing to surgery.

Question 52

Can SCS reduce my need for pain medications?

Accepted Answer

Clinical studies show SCS significantly reduces opioid consumption in many patients. It is often used as part of a strategy to decrease medication dependence while improving function and quality of life.

Question 53

What types of spinal injections are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, and intradiscal procedures — each targeting a specific spinal pain generator.

Question 54

Are spinal injections performed under imaging guidance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All spinal injections at NYC Pain Management are performed under fluoroscopic (real-time X-ray) or ultrasound guidance to ensure precise needle placement and maximum safety.

Question 55

How do I prepare for a spinal injection?

Accepted Answer

You should avoid blood thinners for several days prior (as directed by your physician), arrange a driver for the day of the procedure, and wear comfortable clothing. Specific prep instructions will be provided at your consultation.

Question 56

What are the risks of spinal injections?

Accepted Answer

Spinal injections are generally very safe. Rare risks include temporary soreness at the injection site, headache, or infection. Serious complications are extremely uncommon when performed by a trained interventional pain physician.

Question 57

What is a trigger point injection?

Accepted Answer

A trigger point injection delivers a small amount of local anesthetic (and sometimes corticosteroid) directly into a hyperirritable muscle knot — releasing the spasm, improving blood flow, and providing immediate pain relief.

Question 58

What conditions are treated with trigger point injections?

Accepted Answer

Myofascial pain syndrome, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, neck and shoulder muscle pain, and chronic low back muscle spasm respond well to trigger point injections.

Question 59

How quickly do trigger point injections work?

Accepted Answer

Many patients experience immediate relief as the muscle releases. Full anti-inflammatory benefit develops over 24–48 hours. Results typically last weeks to months depending on the underlying condition.

Question 60

How many trigger point injections can I receive?

Accepted Answer

Multiple trigger points can be treated in a single session. Repeat sessions are scheduled based on your response, typically every 4–8 weeks. Trigger point injections are often combined with physical therapy for lasting results.

Question 61

Do you accept workers' compensation patients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NYC Pain Management is an authorized workers' compensation provider in New York State. We accept all workers' comp cases and handle the billing directly with your employer's insurance carrier.

Question 62

What injuries are covered under workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

Any injury sustained in the course of employment is potentially covered — including back injuries from lifting, repetitive strain injuries, slip-and-fall accidents, and occupational exposure conditions.

Question 63

Do I need to pay out of pocket for workers' comp treatment?

Accepted Answer

No. Authorized workers' compensation treatment is covered at no cost to you. You should not receive any bills for treatment related to your workplace injury.

Question 64

What documentation do I need to start workers' comp treatment?

Accepted Answer

Bring your workers' compensation claim number, your employer's insurance carrier information, and any prior medical records related to the injury. Our team will guide you through the authorization process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pain Management

Auto Injury

Acupuncture

Epidural Injection

Facet Joint Injection

Functional Medicine

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Physical Therapy

Prolotherapy

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

Radiofrequency Ablation

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal Injections

Trigger Point Injections

Worker's Comp

Speak With a Pain Specialist