NYC Pain Relief Medicine

NYC Pain Relief Medicine

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FAQs

DOES INSURANCE PAY FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT?


Clinical evaluations and procedures to treat pain are covered by most insurers. We evaluate each policy to determine appropriate coverage before treatment is rendered.

DO I HAVE TO BE REFERRED BY A PHYSICIAN?


Although not required, most patients are referred by their primary doctor or their surgeon. We also see “self-referrals” — all by appointment only. We accept “walk-ins” as well. Your insurance or claim has to be verified prior to being seen by the doctor.

IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE PAIN AFTER AN INJECTION? WHAT CAN I DO FOR THE PAIN?


It is normal to have mild pain and soreness at the site of injection. You may feel worse pain immediately. But keep in mind that the pain will subside over the next 24-48 hours. If pain persists, apply icepacks for 10-15 minutes every 4-6 hours. DO NOT use a heating pad for 7 days after your injection. If pain is severe after 48 hours, please contact us.

In addition to pain, if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, persistent headache, bowel/bladder issues, or weakness call us immediately or report to your closet Emergency Room.

Again we encourage you to be an active participant in your healthcare needs.

WHY CAN'T I DRIVE OR EAT IF I'M SCHEDULED FOR A PROCEDURE?


Some procedures may require intravenous sedation that prevents you from safely eating or drinking. Also, some procedures may inhibit movement in parts of your body that would make it difficult or unsafe for you to drive. We require you to follow instructions that are provided to you prior to your scheduled procedure. We encourage you to be actively involved in your healthcare needs.

WILL I BE ASLEEP FOR THE PROCEDURE?


Most minimally-invasive procedures performed in our clinic are quick, relatively painless, and require only local anesthesia. Dr. Ikezi will discuss each step in the procedure, including the anesthetics you will receive and any necessary fasting or preparation, prior to your treatment.

At NYC Pain Relief, intravenous sedation is available for advance spine procedures (percutaneous and endoscopic discectomy) performed at the surgery center. This is necessary to ensure your comfort. Although intravenous conscious sedation will not guarantee that everyone will sleep through their procedure, it is adequate to provide comfort for treatments. It is actually safest for the patient to not be asleep and to still be able to communicate.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF PROCEDURES IN/AROUND THE SPINE?


There are always some risks associated with any invasive procedure. Most common is related to soreness at the site of injection, mild bleeding, spinal headache or infection. Other concerns, although very rare, is nerve injury. With the utilization of live x-ray fluoroscopy guidance – a standard of care for these procedures – the structures of the body can be visualized in real time. The x-ray guidance facilitates accurate and safe needle placement thus minimizing risk.

More so, steroid injections have some risks and side effects. The side-effects from steroids are short-lived and resolve on their own within a few days. Patients who have diabetes may be at risk for temporary rise of their blood sugars. Patients with high blood pressure may suffer from transient rise of their blood pressure.

It is important to contact us following the procedure if you are experiencing any side effects.

WHAT KIND OF TREATMENTS MIGHT I RECEIVE AT A PAIN MANAGEMENT CLINIC?


At NYC Pain Relief, we perform a wide array of interventional approaches. For a full list of the conditions we treat, please click on the conditions and treatments tab on our home page.

Dr. Ikezi, performs procedures that require specialized techniques and imaging equipment to assure pinpoint accuracy and safety. Most of the procedures are performed in our state-of-the-art, sterile fluoroscopy suites to provide appropriate safeguards.

As part of our multi-disciplinary approach, our treatment protocol may also involve medications, physical therapy, and self-management techniques with the goal of improving your function and quality of life while reducing your pain.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I SEE MY PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR?


After completing a detailed history and a thorough physical exam, your pain management doctor may order additional tests such as radiographic images (including x-rays, MRIs, etc.) or blood tests. Chronic pain is a complex process that requires a combination of treatments in order to achieve the best results. At NYC Pain Relief we provided individualized treatment plan that may include medications, possible minimally-invasive procedures and/or physical therapy. We also encourage you to be an active participant in your healthcare needs.

WHEN WOULD I NEED TO SEE A PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR?


You need to see your pain management doctor after injury from a car accident or slip and fall; or from chronic arthritis pain.

In most cases, back and neck pain that persists may require further evaluation from a pain specialist. In general, earlier evaluation with a pain physician typically leads to greater diagnostic accuracy and faster recovery.

WHO IS A PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR?


A pain management doctor is a specialist in a particular field of medicine. Typically, a pain physician has completed 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 4 years of post-graduate residency training, and 1 year of sub-specialty fellowship training in pain medicine. Fellowship-trained physicians are able to diagnose and treat acute and chronic pain conditions using a comprehensive approach.

It is also important that you inquire if your pain physician is board certified; because not all physicians are board certified in their specialty. A board certification symbolizes that the physician has completed thorough training and met the highest standards for his or her practice in a medical specialty/subspeciality.

Our pain management physician, Dr. Ikezi is Double Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. To verify Dr. Ikezi board certification, click on the link below.

WHAT IS PAIN MANAGEMENT?


Pain management is a subspecialty field of medicine that aims at controlling a patient’s pain. At NYC Pain Relief, we utilize a comprehensive approach to diagnosing, treating and controlling pain. Dr. Ikezi creates an individualized treatment protocol to coordinate safe and effective options to address all aspects of your pain.

Some effective options and treatment protocols include:

  • Minimally-invasive injection-based therapy
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Structured Exercise Program
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Psychological counseling
  • Medication Management
  • Other complementary approaches and Wellness options

If medications are deemed necessary, there must be full recognition of potential side effects and appropriate management of the medications

Our goal is to improve your quality of life, increase function and reduce suffering.

NYC Pain Relief Medicine information on Health Beyond Insurance (HBI) platform is intended for consumers to connect with NYC Pain Relief Medicine, and to provide helpful information to consumers regarding providers' products and services. HBI does not endorse, guarantee, or warrant the products or services of NYC Pain Relief Medicine, and HBI is not an agent, or representative of, or otherwise responsible for or on behalf of, NYC Pain Relief Medicine. HBI never makes any medical decisions for you or on your behalf, nor does HBI ever take any medical action in response to information transmitted or received by the NYC Pain Relief Medicine. HBI does not take part in any medical diagnoses, procedures, or recommendations, or in any medical, prescription, service.