Pain Management and Spine Care for Westbury, NY
Westbury residents with back pain, a pinched nerve or a work or car-accident injury can see our pain management physicians and spine surgeon at two nearby offices: New Hyde Park to the west and Plainview to the east.
Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain does not have an office in Westbury. Instead, Westbury sits between two of our Long Island offices. Our New Hyde Park office on Marcus Avenue is a short trip west on the Northern State Parkway. Our Plainview office is a short drive east on Old Country Road. You can pick whichever one fits your commute, and both use the same phone line: 516-229-1443.
Westbury patients usually come to us for one of four reasons: ongoing back or neck pain, leg or arm pain from a pinched nerve, a second opinion on spine surgery, or an injury covered by workers’ comp or no-fault.
Two offices within reach of Westbury
Choose the office that matches your drive. Same-week appointments for new patients are usually available.
- New Hyde Park: 1991 Marcus Ave, Suite M217
- Plainview: 520 Old Country Rd
- Interventional pain management physicians
- Fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon (NY)
- Workers’ comp, federal OWCP and no-fault cases
- Medicare and most major insurance plans
What Westbury patients come to us for
People in Westbury search for help in a few specific ways. Here is how we handle each one, and where to read more.
Pain management in Westbury
For back, neck or joint pain that has lasted weeks or months, we start by finding the source. That means a hands-on exam and a review of any MRI or X-rays. Then we build a step-by-step plan, starting with the least invasive option that fits.
Radiculopathy and pinched nerves
Radiculopathy is pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that travels down an arm or leg because a spinal nerve root is pinched. In the lower back it is often called sciatica. A herniated disc or narrowing of the spine is a common cause.
Minimally invasive spine surgery
If injections and therapy have not helped, Dr. Andrew J. Appel, our fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, can review your case in New York. He uses smaller incisions where they fit the problem, and he will also tell you when surgery is not the right step.
Workers’ comp, OWCP and no-fault
If you were hurt at work or in a car accident, we treat New York workers’ comp, federal workers’ comp through the Department of Labor (OWCP), and no-fault cases. We keep the records your claim needs.
“Lumbar decompression” and “non-invasive” back treatment
These two searches are common in Westbury, and they can mean different things, so here is a plain answer.
Lumbar decompression
Decompression means taking pressure off a squeezed nerve in the lower back. We offer two very different versions. The MILD procedure is done through a small opening for some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. A lumbar laminectomy is a surgical decompression for more severe cases. Your exam and imaging decide which, if either, fits.
Non-surgical first
Truly non-invasive care means no needles and no incisions, such as physical therapy, activity changes and home exercise. Many people improve with these alone. Injections and nerve treatments are the next step: they are minimally invasive, not surgery, and are done with X-ray or ultrasound guidance.
Your two nearest Empire offices
Drive estimates below are from the Westbury LIRR station on Union Avenue and were checked with a mapping service. Times change with traffic.
New Hyde Park
1991 Marcus Ave, Suite M217
North New Hyde Park, NY 11042
About 9 miles west. Take the Northern State Parkway west to the New Hyde Park Road exit, then Marcus Avenue. Usually around 15 to 20 minutes in light traffic.
Plainview
520 Old Country Rd
Plainview, NY 11803
About 5 miles east, mostly along Old Country Road. Usually around 15 minutes in light traffic.
Who you will see
Interventional pain management
Our pain team treats back, neck and nerve pain with image-guided injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation. Dr. John Akhnoukh, a board-certified interventional pain physician, developed the Akhnoukh Cervical Ultrasound Technique for neck injections.
Spine surgery
Dr. Andrew J. Appel is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who sees patients in our New York offices. He performs endoscopic and other minimally invasive spine procedures, decompression, fusion and disc replacement when surgery is truly needed.
Insurance for Westbury patients
Our New York offices accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare. We also treat New York workers’ compensation, federal workers’ comp (OWCP / FECA) and no-fault auto claims. Our front desk checks your coverage before your visit, so call 516-229-1443 with your insurance card handy.
More treatments available to Westbury patients
When to get checked sooner
Call a doctor soon if leg or arm weakness is getting worse, or if pain keeps you from sleeping or working. Go to an emergency room right away for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin area, or back pain after a serious fall or crash.
Westbury patient FAQs
Is there an Empire office in Westbury, NY?
No. We do not have a Westbury office. Westbury patients are seen at our New Hyde Park office (1991 Marcus Ave, Suite M217, North New Hyde Park) or our Plainview office (520 Old Country Rd, Plainview). Call 516-229-1443 to book at either one.
How long is the drive from Westbury to your offices?
From the Westbury LIRR station, our New Hyde Park office is about 9 miles west, mostly on the Northern State Parkway, and our Plainview office is about 5 miles east along Old Country Road. In light traffic, each trip usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Rush hour can add time.
Do you treat radiculopathy or a pinched nerve?
Yes. Radiculopathy means a spinal nerve root is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. It can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that travels into an arm or leg. Treatment starts with a diagnosis and may include physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, or, when nerve symptoms do not improve, a minimally invasive procedure such as endoscopic discectomy.
Can I see a spine surgeon about minimally invasive spine surgery?
Yes. Dr. Andrew J. Appel, our fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, sees patients in our New York offices. He can review your imaging and explain whether a minimally invasive option such as endoscopic discectomy or decompression makes sense, or whether non-surgical care should come first. Many patients do not need surgery.
Do you accept workers’ comp, federal OWCP and no-fault for Westbury patients?
Yes. Our New York offices treat New York workers’ compensation cases, federal workers’ comp claims through the U.S. Department of Labor OWCP (FECA), and no-fault car-accident claims. We also accept Medicare and most major insurance plans. Bring your claim number and carrier details to your first visit, and our front desk will confirm coverage.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your doctor will recommend treatment based on your exam and history.
Map: Our New Hyde Park, NY Office
What Our Patients Say
Our Plainview office has moved
Find us at our new location:
520 Old Country Rd
Plainview, NY 11803
Same doctors, same phone numbers.
Most Major Plans,
No-Fault & Personal Injury.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
Accepted at our New York Locations
Workers' Compensation
No-Fault (NY & NJ)
Lien Cases
Medicare
Empire BCBS
BCBS / Anthem
Cigna
Aetna
Empire NYSHIP
Oxford (PPO)
United Health Care
GHI / Emblem Health
Humana (PPO)
Magnacare (PPO)
Northwell Direct
1199 SEIU
Self Pay
Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
No-Fault (NJ)
Lien Cases
Horizon BCBS
Empire NYSHIP
BCBS / Anthem (PPO)
Cigna
Aetna (PPO)
GHI / Emblem (PPO)
Port Authority UHC
Verizon Plan
Carpenter & Trade Unions
Self Pay
Medicare, Medicaid and Workers' Compensation are not accepted at our New Jersey locations. Not sure about your plan? Call us and we'll verify before your visit.
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Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Board-certified physicians dedicated to accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive care.
Pain Management
John Akhnoukh, M.D.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Interventional Pain Management Physician
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Pain Management
James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Interventional Pain Management Physician
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Pain Management
Benjamin Souferi, D.O.
Fellowship-Trained Interventional Pain Medicine Physician (Cleveland Clinic)
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We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
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