Category Pain Management
Patient education on pain management from Empire’s board-certified pain specialists — back, neck, joint, and nerve pain, plus minimally invasive treatments like epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, nerve blocks, and regenerative options. Serving New York and New Jersey.
Are Epidural Steroid Injections Worth It? An Honest Look
Are epidural steroid injections worth it? An honest look at what an ESI does, who it helps most, how long relief lasts, why you may feel worse for a few days first, and where injections fit in a treatment plan.
How Long Does a Cortisone Shot Last? (And How Often You Can Get One)
A cortisone shot eases pain for a few weeks to a few months. Learn how long relief lasts, how soon it works, how often you can safely get one, side effects, and longer-lasting options like PRP, gel, and radiofrequency ablation.
How Long Does a Pinched Nerve Take to Heal? Recovery Timeline
Most pinched nerves heal within a few weeks to a couple of months. Learn the typical recovery timeline, what speeds it up, the signs it's healing, and the red flags that mean you shouldn't wait.
What Happens at Your First Pain Management Appointment?
Wondering what happens at your first pain management appointment? Here's what to expect at check-in, during the exam and consultation, whether you'll be drug tested, what to bring, and how your treatment plan gets decided.
Nerve Block for Back Pain: Types, What to Expect, and Results
In this article What a nerve block is Types used for back pain Diagnostic vs. therapeutic What to expect during the procedure Does it work — and for how long? Recovery and risks When to consider one Frequently asked questions…
Endoscopic Discectomy vs. Microdiscectomy: What’s the Difference?
In this article The short answer What each procedure is The real differences Who is a candidate for each Recovery and results How the choice is actually made When to see a specialist Frequently asked questions If a herniated disc…
Occipital Neuralgia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
In this article What is occipital neuralgia? Symptoms Occipital neuralgia vs. migraine What causes it How it’s diagnosed Treatment options When to see a doctor Frequently asked questions If you get sharp, electric-shock-like jolts of pain in the back of…
Piriformis Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
In this article What is piriformis syndrome? Piriformis syndrome vs. sciatica Symptoms What causes it How it’s diagnosed Treatment options When to see a doctor Frequently asked questions If you have a deep ache in one buttock that flares when…
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…
Signs a Herniated Disc Isn’t Healing (When to See a Specialist)
In this article How long a herniated disc takes to heal Signs it isn’t healing Emergency red flags What a specialist can do When surgery is considered When to make the call Frequently asked questions Most herniated discs get better…
Sciatica Exercises to Avoid (and Safer Moves)
In this article Why some exercises make sciatica worse Exercises to avoid during a flare Safer moves that usually help When to ease back into exercise When to see a doctor Frequently asked questions When sciatica flares, the right movement…
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: Does It Work?
In this article What is non-surgical spinal decompression? How it’s supposed to work What a session is like What the evidence actually says Where it fits in a treatment plan Safety and who isn’t a candidate When to see a…
Laminectomy Recovery: What to Expect Week by Week
In this article What is a laminectomy? Recovery timeline week by week Early restrictions (the “BLTs”) The role of physical therapy What results to expect Minimally invasive vs. open When to call your surgeon Frequently asked questions If a laminectomy…
Vertebral Compression Fractures: Symptoms, Causes, and Kyphoplasty
In this article What is a vertebral compression fracture? Symptoms to watch for Causes and who’s at risk How it’s diagnosed Treatment options What is kyphoplasty? When to see a doctor Frequently asked questions A vertebral compression fracture is a…
Neck Arthritis (Cervical Spondylosis): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
In this article What is neck arthritis? Symptoms of neck arthritis What causes it How it’s diagnosed Treatment options When it pinches a nerve When to see a doctor Frequently asked questions If your neck feels stiff and achy, especially…
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.
How to Relieve Sciatica: Fast Relief and What Helps
Most sciatica settles with simple at-home care. Learn what actually relieves a flare — movement, heat and ice, stretches — and when to step up treatment.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Degenerative disc disease is age-related wear of the spinal discs. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments — most people never need surgery.
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.
Medicare, Workers Comp,
No Fault & Others.
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
Workers' Compensation
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 and Medicaid 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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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.
Our Locations
Pain management and orthopedic care across New York and New Jersey.