Blog Archive

Living with chronic pain can be an overwhelming experience. While it’s often thought of as a physical issue, chronic pain can also have deep emotional and social effects. Not only is there that ever-present discomfort, but over time, it can take a toll on your quality of life in more...

Effective pain management starts with an accurate diagnosis. Understanding what’s causing your pain — your "disease state" — is the first step to developing a pain management plan that fits your needs and makes a real difference for your quality of life. Disease states refer to specific health conditions or...

Are you struggling with chronic low back pain? Have you tried conservative treatments without experiencing the relief they promised? If you’ve answered yes, you might be finding yourself considering different back pain procedures in the hopes of alleviating your discomfort for good. It’s time to learn more about the Intracept®...

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an innovative treatment that uses heat generated by radiofrequency waves to target and deactivate nerves that transmit pain. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, and it can be a game changer for managing chronic arthritis pain. Eric Fanaee, MD, offers RFA for arthritis at his pain management...

Are you considering a spinal cord stimulator? It’s a pain management solution that has the potential to relieve even the toughest chronic pain — but it’s important to do your research before moving ahead with this treatment. Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team specialize in spinal cord stimulation and pain...

Chronic neck pain is persistent discomfort in your neck — anywhere from the top of your shoulders to the base of your skull — that lasts for more than three months. It can range from a dull ache to severe pain that has the power to limit your daily activities....

Are you grappling with relentless back pain? The kind that lingers, interferes with daily tasks, and keeps you from activities you love? If so, you're not alone. Millions of Americans are living with chronic back pain. It can seriously diminish your quality of life — and when physical therapy, oral...

Finding a solution for chronic back pain can be a long journey. What works for some people doesn’t always work for others, and effective pain management often takes trial and error. And if you’re considering an epidural for back pain, you might be wondering how long the relief will last....

Are you living with chronic back pain? If so, you know all too well that it can interfere with everything from your everyday tasks to your ability to sleep at night. And if you’ve tried lifestyle modifications, pain medication, physical therapy, and all of the other popular treatment options without...

Millions of Americans are living with chronic back pain. It’s a pervasive issue that can interfere with nearly every aspect of your life — from your ability to work to your ability to sleep at night. And if you’ve tried all of the conventional treatments without relief, you might be...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

Chronic pain is a complex and challenging condition that affects more than 50 million Americans each year. While pain is a natural response to injury or illness, when it persists beyond the expected healing time, it transitions from acute to chronic — and that can significantly impact your quality of...

When you’re in chronic pain, you want one thing: to not be in pain anymore. Unfortunately, the solution usually isn’t that simple. The pain you’re experiencing is a symptom of a problem, not a diagnosis in and of itself. To provide a permanent solution, Dr. Eric Fanaee needs to determine...

The holidays are here, and so is the fun! Right? Yes, all of the parties, shopping, decorations, events, and presents are good in and of themselves, but they can also cause loads of added stress to your body. And when you’re dealing with chronic pain, that’s no small thing. Eric...

Chronic pain is debilitating. And, unfortunately, fatigue is a common side effect of pain that can have a profound impact on your quality of life and your ability to enjoy everyday activities. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to managing chronic pain, but there are ways to alleviate your symptoms and improve...

Weather has an undeniable effect on your daily life, from dictating your choice of outdoor activities to influencing your mood. And if you’ve ever wondered if the weather affects your health, you’re not alone. The weather can have a real impact on how your body feels — especially if you’re...

More than one in five American adults suffers from chronic pain. It’s a complex, challenging condition — and finding an effective treatment plan goes far beyond simply addressing the physical discomfort. Chronic pain takes a toll on your mental and emotional well-being, too. Anxiety and stress are common companions of chronic pain, often...

About 16 million American adults suffer from chronic low back pain. Whether the pain persists for weeks, months, or years, it erodes your overall health and your quality of life. Various treatment options for back pain exist, but finding effective relief isn’t always easy. Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team...

You had back surgery with the goal to alleviate chronic pain and regain your quality of life. It was a major decision, but now that you’ve healed, you still have pain. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) can happen despite everyone’s best intentions, and you’re not alone. Up to 40% of patients experience continued pain...

Meaning The spoon theory is an introduction to understanding how chronic illness, chronic pain, and disability impact a person’s capacity to perform everyday tasks, engage in work and social life, and meet longer-term goals. Becky Bikat Tilahun, a clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, considers it a strategic planning tool.1...

A spinal cord stimulator is a device that your doctor implants under your skin to manage chronic pain. It can be a good option for people who haven’t found adequate pain relief with conservative treatment, and if you’re thinking about getting one, you’re in the right place. Studies show that spinal cord...

Around 30% of American adults experience neck pain in their lifetime. Acute neck pain may dissipate on its own with time — but for about half of all neck pain sufferers, that pain becomes chronic.  Neck pain can stem from a variety of factors, including poor posture, injury, and spinal...

Quality of life is a measure that aims to capture an individual’s overall well-being and happiness. While it’s highly subjective, some factors always play a role — and one of those is health. Your health has an undeniable effect on your perceived quality of life. When you’re healthy, your quality...

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that stems from nervous system damage or dysfunction. Your nerves transmit electrical signals from your body to your brain, and when they get damaged, they can “misfire” and send near-constant pain signals even if you’re not injured. Neuropathic pain, or neuropathy, is...

Your back aches, and you’ve tried everything to make the pain go away. When rest, medication, physical therapy, and even cutting-edge regenerative medicine don’t make a difference, it’s easy to start wondering if you’re out of options. The good news? Other approaches are available. Dr. Eric Fanaee specializes in managing...

Headaches that hit right before rainstorms. Tingling nerve pain that gets sharper in the summer. Painful joints that seem to ache even more when the weather turns cold. If any of these experiences sound familiar, you’re not imagining things. The weather and the environment around you affects your body in...

The COVID-19 pandemic sent many American workers home from the office in early 2020. Nearly three years later, many still haven’t returned. A 2022 survey revealed that about 58% of Americans are working from home full- or part-time. From nonexistent commutes to greater flexibility, there are plenty of benefits to be had...

Chronic pain is exhausting. It limits your activities, your mobility, and your quality of life. And when traditional treatment doesn’t make a difference, you might be wondering if surgery is your only option. We have good news: It’s not. Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team specialize in pain management, and we offer...

The Intracept® procedure is a cutting-edge solution for treatment-resistant lower back pain. It’s FDA-approved for people who have suffered pain for at least six months and who haven’t found relief with other treatments.  Using radiofrequency ablation, the Intracept procedure targets nerve pain at the source and stops pain signals from...

Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that persists for weeks, months, or even years. About 50 million American adults are living with chronic pain. It’s incredibly common, yet getting the right diagnosis and finding an effective treatment plan is often difficult and frustrating. There are many possible causes of chronic pain,...

A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that’s implanted near your spine. It uses low-level electric currents to interfere with pain signals in the nerves of your spinal cord, with the goal of stopping chronic back pain. But pain is highly personal, and what works for some people doesn’t work for others....

Spinal discs are rubbery cushions between each vertebral bone in your spine. These discs are made of collagen with a gelatinous core, and their primary job is to absorb shock and support your body weight. While spinal discs are naturally durable, they deteriorate with age — and more than 90% of people...

One in four American adults is living with chronic pain. Chronic pain is pain that lasts for months, years, or longer — and it can seriously erode your ability to live life to its fullest. Some types of chronic pain can be traced to a previous injury or a degenerative...

More than 32.5 million American adults have osteoarthritis. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common type, and it primarily affects people over age 60. Osteoarthritis is often called wear-and-tear arthritis because it develops when the cartilage in your joints breaks down due to years...

Is chronic back pain keeping you from living the life you want? Back pain might be common, but it’s often difficult to treat — and when conservative care like physical therapy and medication aren’t enough to stop the pain, you may feel as though you’re out of options. If this...

Most adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. It’s a common complaint, but pinpointing the cause of the pain and finding treatment that helps you feel better isn’t always easy.  Eric Fanaee, MD, offers comprehensive exams to identify your symptoms and treat them at the source. One...

Your flexible spine contains 24 vertebral bones. Between each of them is a vertebral disc, which cushions the bones and protects your spinal cord when you move. Vertebral discs are made of slick cartilage with a soft center. While they’re naturally durable, discs may slip, ripture, or herniate as the...

Back pain is the top cause of disability worldwide. Chronic back pain can keep you from work, hobbies, and enjoying your life — and it’s notoriously challenging to diagnose and treat. Maybe you suffered an injury. Maybe you’re dealing with age-related degeneration. Maybe you’ve tried conservative options like physical therapy...

When you have low back pain that doesn’t go away, you might do just about anything to get relief. Chronic pain erodes your ability to work and enjoy your hobbies, and it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Conservative care like physical therapy and medication can...

The spine is a complex structure that runs from your pelvis to the base of your skull. Your spine supports the weight of your entire upper body — and when you have spinal pain, it limits your ability to enjoy life. Nearly everyone suffers back pain or neck pain at...

One in two American adults is living with a musculoskeletal condition like back pain or arthritis. Your musculoskeletal system includes your bones, joints, and muscles — and all too often, disease or damage can leave you with musculoskeletal pain that doesn’t go away. Chronic pain can limit your mobility and...

Persistent low back pain is beyond frustrating. It interferes with your hobbies, your sleep, and your daily responsibilities. And when conservative treatment doesn’t make a difference, it can feel like you’re out of options. You may not have heard about the Intracept® Procedure, however. This revolutionary minimally invasive treatment for...

Does your back hurt? If you answered yes, you’re certainly not alone. An estimated 80% of American adults experience acute low back pain at some point. And for 20% of them, the pain becomes chronic.  There are many different treatment options available for chronic back pain, from medication to physical...

Pain serves an important function: It’s your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. When you get injured, pain signals travel from the wound site to your brain, letting you know that you need to stop what you’re doing.  But when pain becomes chronic, it’s no longer serving its...

About 50,000 spinal cord stimulators are placed each year in the United States. Spinal cord stimulators involve a minimally invasive implantation procedure, and they work to quiet pain sensations and help you live a more active life. A spinal cord stimulator can be an effective treatment option for chronic nerve...

Pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right — whether it’s temporary discomfort or chronic pain. But identifying and treating the cause behind pain isn’t always easy, and many people hesitate to seek professional care. Back pain, in particular, is one of the top causes of disability...

If you’ve been experiencing discomfort due to poor posture recently, you’re not alone. With the rise in remote working in the past year, more and more people are finding themselves hunched over their computer screens and other devices in a poorly designed work space.  Over time, this poor posture can...

Chronic pain can be difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat, leaving you feeling hopeless about your ability to find relief. Luckily, there are cutting-edge treatments that may be able to relieve your pain without requiring invasive treatment.  Eric K. Fanaee, MD, is an expert in pain management...

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, four out of 10 Americans have delayed or avoided getting the health care they need. To work around this disruption, telehealth is emerging as the perfect solution for providing care from a safe distance, and we’re pleased to offer this service here at our practice....

Your sacroiliac (SI) joints serve as a shock absorber for your body’s weight and protect your spine. However, they can cause pain that can be hard to diagnose because these important joints are located deep inside your body in a region where general pain is common. SI joint dysfunction is...

If you’ve been suffering from chronic pain, trying to get an accurate diagnosis can be frustrating. That’s why it’s important to have a healthy partnership with your health care provider during every stage of that journey. As a pain specialist in West Islip, Islandia, and Smithtown, New York, Dr. Eric...

Statistics show that most adults suffer at least one case of neck or lower back pain sometime during their life. These painful bouts can be caused by muscle strain, injury, or just natural degeneration due to age.  For most people, this pain goes away with time or conventional treatment. However,...