At New York Pain Medicine, our philosophy is to use a team approach to accurately diagnose and treat your painful ailments.
"Dr. Douglas Allen came highly recommended by my pain doctor. Upon calling to make first appointment I was presently surprised as to how quickly I was able to be seen. His assistant (Antionette) was very pleasent and highly professional. Dr. Allen was very knowledgable about my targeted pain area, patient because I asked him a slew of...
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"There are a handful of truly caring doctors who make a patient feel taken care of ON ALL LEVELS. Dr. Allen combines knowledge and skill, with outstanding warmth and concern. He's the best!"
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If you're in need of more information regarding our recent blog post topics, such as epidural steroid injections and how to prevent marathon injuries, check out some of these great resources:
If you're suffering from pain, contact Dr. Douglas Allen of New York Pain Medicine at (888) 755-2664.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure used for pain management of the neck, back, arms or legs. The injection includes both a long-lasting steroid and a local numbing agent.
*Please visit New York Pain Medicine online for an animated and narrated demonstration of Epidural Steriod Injections. (Please click "Head, Neck and Spine", then ""Procedures" to access the informational video.)
When should an ESI be used?
An ESI should be used for either acute or chronic pain conditions caused by inflammation of either the exiting nerves or the surrounding disc. Patients should not receive an ESI if they have infections, are pregnant or have bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinners.
What happens during the procedure?
There are two areas of placement for an epidural injection: lumbar and cervical. For a lumbar ESI, a local anesthetic is given to numb the lower back. Once the area is numb, a needle is inserted into the epidural space. After ensuring that the needle is correctly placed, the steroid is injected. A cervical ESI is similar, but the injection is administered in the neck without the use of local anesthetic in the injectate.
Patients are briefly monitored after injection. Most patients can walk around immediately after the procedure; however they will be unable to drive for several hours.
What are the results?
Many patients experience immediate pain relief. Depending on your results, up to 3 injections may be administered within a 6 month period. Patient’s followup is done after one week of injection to determine how well it worked and what’s the next step. Duration of pain relief varies from patient to patient.
What are the risks?
While ESI is safe and unlikely to result in any complications, no procedure is 100% fail-safe. Serious complications come as a result of either bleeding or infection. Temporary side effects may include pain at the injection site, temporary weakness from the local anesthesia or generalized headache symptoms.
*Please visit New York Pain Medicine online for an animated and narrated demonstration of Epidural Steriod Injections. (Please click "Head, Neck and Spine", then ""Procedures" to access the informational video.)
If you suffer from back pain, ESI may be a viable option for you. Call New York Pain Medicine at (888)755-2664 to schedule a consultation. We are dedicated to giving NYC proper diagnoses, accurate treatment plans and a team approach that results in a healthy, pain-free lifestyle.
Running places a lot of stress on the feet, legs, and body, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself from injury. The video above discusses practical, preventative measures you can take to avoid injuries.
If you're new to running, make sure to have your feet evaluated and that your shoes fit correctly. Before running, be sure to warm up and choose a location with a smooth surface to run on. Also, don’t overdo it—it’s important to train before taking on a long run. Strengthening your feet can also help prevent injury; and remember to always end a run with a thorough stretch.
If you suffer from pain before or after running, contact Dr. Douglas Allen of New York Pain Medicine at (888) 755-2664 today.
Book your appointment with Dr. Allen at New York Pain Medicine today and receive a free sample of Pain Balm!
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