TL;DR
- Pain management doctors find the source of your pain and build a plan to reduce it, usually without surgery.
- They treat back, neck, joint and nerve pain, sports injuries and pain that has lasted for months.
- A first visit covers your history, an exam, any imaging you have, and a plan you can start right away.
- Bay Way Pain Medical Care sees patients at 6010 Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. Call (718) 576-2001.
What a pain management doctor does
A pain management doctor is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating pain. Many are trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology or sports medicine, with extra fellowship training in pain care.
Their job has two parts. First, find out what is actually causing the pain: a disc, a joint, a nerve, a tendon or several things at once. Second, choose treatments that match that cause, starting with the least invasive options that are likely to work.
For a deeper look at training, tests and treatments, read what a pain management doctor does.
Conditions pain management doctors treat
- Back and neck pain, including herniated discs, sciatica and spinal stenosis
- Joint pain, such as knee, hip and shoulder arthritis
- Nerve pain, including peripheral neuropathy and pinched nerves
- Sports and overuse injuries, such as tendon pain and strains
- Chronic pain that has lasted three months or more
Learn more on our chronic pain page.
Pain management doctor or another specialist?
Different doctors focus on different parts of the problem:
- Primary care doctor: a good first stop for new pain, and the doctor who coordinates your overall health
- Pain management doctor: focuses on finding the pain source and treating it, mostly without surgery
- Orthopedic surgeon: focuses on bones and joints and on surgery when it is needed
- Physical therapist: rebuilds strength and movement, often as part of a pain doctor’s plan
Many patients see more than one, and the doctors work together.
Who should see a pain management doctor
You may be a good fit if:
- Pain has lasted more than a few weeks and is not getting better
- It keeps you from work, sleep or daily activities
- You have tried rest, medication or physical therapy without enough relief
- You want to avoid surgery or long-term pain medication if possible
For red-flag symptoms, such as loss of bladder control or sudden weakness, go to the emergency room instead.
Treatments a pain management doctor may use
Most plans combine two or three of these, matched to the cause:
- Physical therapy to rebuild strength and movement. See our physical therapy service.
- Ultrasound-guided injections, which place medication or PRP precisely where it is needed. See ultrasound-guided injections.
- Regenerative treatments such as PRP
- Device-based therapies such as shockwave, laser, TECAR and magnetic therapy
- Decompression and traction for some spine and neck problems
What to expect at your first visit
- History. Where the pain is, how it started, what makes it better or worse and what you have already tried.
- Exam. Movement, strength, reflexes and the specific spots that hurt.
- Imaging review. Bring any X-ray, MRI or reports you have. New imaging is ordered only if it will change the plan.
- A plan. You leave knowing the likely cause, the options and the first steps.
- Follow-up. Progress is checked and the plan adjusted.
How a pain management plan changes over time
A good plan is not fixed. In the first weeks the goal is usually to calm pain enough to move more. Then the focus shifts to strength, movement and habits that keep the pain from returning. If a treatment is not helping after a fair trial, the plan changes. Follow-up visits are where that happens, so keep them even when you start to feel better.
Common goals patients set with their doctor:
- Sleeping through the night
- Walking, standing or sitting longer without pain
- Returning to work, exercise or caring for family
- Using less pain medication
Writing down your own goal before the first visit helps the doctor shape the plan around what matters to you. Read tips for your consultation.
Questions to ask a pain management doctor
- What do you think is causing my pain?
- What are my options besides medication and surgery?
- How long until I should notice a difference?
- What can I do at home to help?
- When should I call you or come back sooner?
Meet the doctors at Bay Way Pain Medical Care
Dr. Eric Lubomir, DO, leads the practice. He is a sports medicine physician focused on non-operative care of joint, muscle and tendon pain. Dr. Henry Sardar, board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation with fellowship training in pain management, also sees patients at BayWay. Meet the team on our providers page.
Before you book
- Location: 6010 Bay Parkway, 6th Floor, Suite 603, Brooklyn, NY 11204
- Phone: (718) 576-2001
- Insurance: we accept most insurance plans. Call and we will check yours before your visit.
- Referral: depends on your plan. We can tell you when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pain management doctor do?
They find the source of your pain and treat it, usually with non-surgical options such as physical therapy, injections and device-based therapies.
When should I see a pain management doctor in Brooklyn?
When pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or limits work, sleep or daily life.
Do pain management doctors only prescribe medication?
No. Many plans focus on physical therapy, guided injections and drug-free therapies.
What happens at the first visit with a pain management doctor?
A history, an exam, a review of any imaging and a plan you can start right away.
Do I need a referral to see a pain management doctor?
It depends on your insurance plan. Call us and we will check.
Where is Bay Way Pain Medical Care?
6010 Bay Parkway, 6th Floor, Suite 603, Brooklyn, NY 11204.
Ready to talk about your pain?
Bay Way Pain Medical Care, 6010 Bay Pkwy, 6th Floor, Suite 603, Brooklyn. We accept most insurances.
Request an Appointment Call (718) 576-2001
