Dr. John Akhnoukh
Dr. John Akhnoukh is a board-certified anesthesiologist and board-certified interventional pain management physician. He completed a pain medicine fellowship across New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Hospital for Special Surgery, and his anesthesiology residency at Mount Sinai St. Luke's West. He earned his M.D. at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dr. Akhnoukh invented the Akhnoukh Cervical Ultrasound Technique (A.C.U.T.), which uses ultrasonography to map cervical anatomy and reduce the risk of cervical spine procedures. He is a member of the World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography and the North American Neuromodulation Society, and has performed thousands of pain management procedures.
Radiofrequency Ablation Recovery and Aftercare
In this article Right after the procedure When pain relief begins Aftercare: the first days How long relief lasts Side effects and risks When to call your doctor Frequently asked questions Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can quiet the small nerves carrying…
Peripheral Neuropathy: Why Your Hands and Feet Feel Numb or Tingly
Numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet is often peripheral neuropathy. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments that calm the nerve pain.
Spinal Stenosis: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Spinal stenosis narrows the spine and pinches the nerves, causing leg pain when you stand or walk. Learn the symptoms and treatments — most without surgery.
Intracept Procedure for Chronic Low Back Pain: How It Works
The Intracept procedure (basivertebral nerve ablation) treats chronic vertebrogenic low back pain. Here's how it works, who it helps, and what recovery looks like.
Pinched Nerve in the Lower Back: Causes, Symptoms & Relief
A pinched nerve in the lower back causes pain, numbness, and tingling down the leg. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options that help.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Back Pain: How It Works and How Long It Lasts
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to quiet the nerves carrying your back or neck pain. How it works, who it helps, recovery, and how long relief lasts.
Microdiscectomy Recovery Time: A Week-by-Week Timeline
Most people recover from a microdiscectomy faster than they expect. It is usually an outpatient surgery, so you go home the same day and walk that afternoon. Desk or light work often returns in about two to four weeks, most…
How Long Does an Epidural Steroid Injection Take to Work for Sciatica?
Most epidural steroid injections start working in 2–7 days, with fuller relief by about two weeks. Here's the real ESI timeline for sciatica — plus how long relief lasts and what to do if it doesn't help.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion ACDF Things To Know Before Surgery
Neck pain that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or hand can be more than a temporary discomfort. For many patients, it may signal nerve compression in the cervical spine caused by a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or spinal cord…
Is Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy Right for Me?
Neck pain that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or hand can significantly interfere with daily life. For some patients, symptoms improve with physical therapy, medications, or injections. But when pain, numbness, or weakness continue despite conservative treatment, surgery may become…
Endoscopic Discectomy: Minimally Invasive Relief for Herniated Discs
Herniated disc pain doesn’t always require major back surgery. Endoscopic Discectomy relieves nerve pressure through a tiny incision with faster recovery and less downtime. At Empire Minimally Invasive Spine & Pain, we help NY and NJ patients return to normal…
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No Fault & Others.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
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Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
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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)
Visit ProfilePain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
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.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.