Back Pain Doctor Near You in New York & New Jersey

Looking for a back pain doctor near you? At Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain, our board-certified pain management physicians and spine specialists treat the full range of back pain across our New York and New Jersey offices — finding the exact source of your pain and treating it with the least invasive option that works, so most people never need surgery.

Medically reviewed by Dr. John Akhnoukh, M.D. — Board-certified in Anesthesiology & Interventional Pain Management · Last reviewed August 2026 · Empire Minimally Invasive Spine & Pain

What a back pain doctor does

A back pain doctor — in most cases an interventional pain management physician or spine specialist — does more than prescribe medication. They pinpoint why your back hurts using a careful exam and imaging, then match the treatment to the cause. That might be a pinched nerve, a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or a facet joint problem. Getting the diagnosis right is what separates lasting relief from temporary fixes.

Conditions we treat

• Low back pain and chronic back pain — causes, symptoms, and treatment options
• Sciatica and radiating leg pain
• Herniated and bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication
• Facet joint pain and arthritis of the spine
• Back pain from work injuries and motor-vehicle accidents

How we treat back pain

Our approach is step-up care: start with the least invasive option that can resolve the problem, and reserve advanced procedures for when they’re truly needed. Depending on the cause, treatment may include physical therapy coordination, epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections and nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or minimally invasive spine procedures for the small number of cases that need them.

Find a back pain doctor near you

With offices across New York and New Jersey, there’s an Empire back pain doctor close to home:

• Plainview, NY (Nassau County) — 516-400-3333
• New Hyde Park, NY — 516-229-1443
• Ronkonkoma, NY (Suffolk County) — 516-229-1443
• Yonkers, NY (Westchester County) — 516-229-1443
• Clifton, NJ (Passaic County) — 732-630-7246
• Plainfield, NJ — 732-630-7246

When should you see a back pain doctor?

See a specialist if your back pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps returning, radiates into a leg, or limits your work and sleep. Earlier evaluation usually means simpler treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of doctor should I see for back pain?

For back pain that hasn’t resolved on its own, an interventional pain management physician or spine specialist is usually the right choice. They diagnose the specific cause and offer targeted, minimally invasive treatments — not just medication — and involve a surgeon only if it’s truly needed.

How soon can I get an appointment?

Same-week evaluations are usually available at our NY and NJ offices. Call the location nearest you to schedule.

Will I need surgery for my back pain?

Usually not. Most back pain improves with non-surgical care such as physical therapy and image-guided injections. Surgery is considered only when conservative treatment hasn’t provided relief.

Do you take insurance?

We accept most major insurance plans and will verify your coverage before your visit. We also treat work-injury and motor-vehicle-accident cases and can help with the required documentation.

Where are your offices located?

We have offices across New York and New Jersey, including Plainview, New Hyde Park, Ronkonkoma, and Yonkers, NY, and Clifton and Plainfield, NJ.

Back Pain & Pain Management: Questions Patients Ask Us

When should I see a pain management doctor?

See one when back pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, radiates into a leg, or isn’t improving with rest and over-the-counter care — and sooner if you have numbness, weakness, or pain that disrupts your sleep and daily life. A pain management doctor finds the source of the pain and treats it with the least invasive option first.

What happens at your first pain management appointment?

We review your history and any imaging, examine how you move, and pinpoint where the pain is coming from. You leave with a clear diagnosis and a step-by-step plan — usually starting with physical therapy and targeted injections rather than surgery. It’s a conversation about your options, not a commitment to a procedure.

How do I find a good pain management doctor?

Look for a board-certified, fellowship-trained physician who explains your options clearly, starts with the least invasive treatment, and doesn’t push you toward unnecessary procedures. Read reviews, confirm they treat your specific problem, and notice whether they actually listen. A good pain doctor treats the cause, not just the symptom.

Is a spinal cord stimulator worth it?

For people with nerve pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, a spinal cord stimulator can meaningfully reduce pain and the need for medication — and you test it first with a temporary trial before committing to an implant. It isn’t right for everyone, so a specialist reviews your history to tell you whether you’re a candidate.

What can I do for chronic back pain that won’t go away?

Ongoing back pain rarely has a single cause, so lasting relief usually comes from combining treatments: physical therapy, targeted injections such as epidurals, facet, or nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation for certain joint-related pain, and daily-habit changes. The goal is to find and treat the specific source of your pain so you can move again — not just cover it up.

Still have a question about your back pain? Call Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain to speak with a specialist — 516-229-1443 (NY) or 732-630-7246 (NJ).

Helpful reading: What happens at your first pain management appointment · Microdiscectomy recovery timeline