Our Neurological Services
Cervical Pain Management Procedures

Radiofrequency neurotomy of the facet joints in the cervical spine is one of the minimally invasive treatments available for cervical pain that do not require surgery and is one of the most commonly performed treatments for cervical facet joint pain management.
Existing evidence has provided some support for the role of cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy in providing relief from moderate to severe neuropathic cervical facet joint pain. Studies have also examined the long-term benefits of this treatment. Findings from these studies indicate that most patients can expect to be free from neuropathic pain for up to 15 months following the procedure. Further, approximately 50% of the patients in these studies were reported to be free from symptoms for up to two years following the procedure.
The goal of an epidural injection is prolonged pain relief. While epidural injections can sometimes provide relief on their own, they are commonly used in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional pain relief.
Blocks are injections of medication onto or near nerves. The medications that are injected include local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids. In some cases of severe pain it is even necessary to destroy a nerve with injections of phenol, pure ethanol, or by using needles that freeze or heat the nerves. Injections into joints are also referred to as blocks. Although not technically correct, such shorthand is commonly used.
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Thoracic Pain Management Procedures

If the patient has the appropriate duration of pain relief after the medial branch nerve block, then he or she may be a candidate for a subsequent procedure – called a Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy (or ablation) – for longer term pain relief.
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The goal of an epidural injection is prolonged pain relief. While epidural injections can sometimes provide relief on their own, they are commonly used in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional pain relief.
** Information provided by www.spineuniverse.com
During the procedure, a small incision will be made over the affected area as the patient lies face down on the procedure table. A narrow tube is threaded through the pedicle into one side of the fractured vertebra by using x-ray guidance.
During balloon kyphoplasty, a balloon tamp will inserted into the fractured vertebra and then inflated to create an open cavity inside the bone and to restore height to the collapsed vertebra. Then, the balloon tamp is deflated and removed from the vertebra, leaving a new cavity in the bone so that a type of bone cement called PMMA can be injected into the cavity until it is full, creating an internal cast within the fractured vertebra.
To preserve uniformity and increase the chances of complete correction, this process can be repeated on the other side of the vertebral body. The surgeon will then close the incision and the patient lies flat on the operating table until the cement hardens, usually about 5 minutes.
In other forms of kyphoplasty, other surgical approaches for creating the cavity may be used, such as a net or ball.
Most patients can go home the same day as the procedure.
Lumbar Pain Management Procedures

Treatment for nonmalignant pain conditions such as coccygodynia or perirectal pain from tumor involvement can be performed with local anesthetic and steroids.
Neurolytic blockade can be performed, but require an additional diagnostic block to be performed prior to the procedure. For treating rectal pain, the Ganglion Impar block can be a better option over other neurolytic procedures because the Ganglion Impar block generally leaves the bowel and bladder function unaffected.
However, this should be confirmed first with the local anesthetic block.
** Information provided by www.spineuniverse.com
The goal of an epidural injection is prolonged pain relief. While epidural injections can sometimes provide relief on their own, they are commonly used in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional pain relief.
The facet joints are paired joints in the back that have opposing surfaces of cartilage (cushioning tissue between the bones) and a surrounding capsule. Twisting injuries can cause damage to one or both facet joints, and cartilage degeneration associated with aging may also cause pain.
In a facet block procedure, a physician uses fluoroscopy (live x-ray) to guide the needle into the facet joint capsule to inject lidocaine (a numbing agent) and/or a steroid (an anti-inflammatory medication). If the patient’s pain goes away after the injection, it can be inferred that the pain generator is the specific facet joint capsule that has just been injected.
**Information provided by www.spine-health.com
**Information provided by www.spine-health.com
Long acting steroid medication is injected to reduce inflammation and /or swelling of the spinal nerve roots and surrounding tissues. Reduction of inflammation or swelling can work to reduce pain, numbness, tingling or other symptoms caused by nerve irritation. Additionally, transforaminal injections can be used to identify a specific spinal nerve root level or levels that could be the source of pain.
Steroid medication is injected to reduce inflammation and /or swelling around the nerves that pass near or through the piriformis muscle. Reduction of inflammation or swelling can work to reduce pain, numbness, tingling or other symptoms caused by nerve irritation.
** Information provided by www.spineuniverse.com
Neurological Pain Management Procedures

Using special sensors or electrodes that are attached to your head, an electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity of your brain to help identify conditions such as epilepsy, dementia, narcolepsy or to help diagnose physical issues in the brain, spinal cord or nervous system.
We provide implantation, programming and management of spinal cord stimulators in the cervical and lumbar areas.
Transcranial duplex is a procedure that uses ultrasound to look for blood clots, plaque build up, aneurysms, vasospasms, and other blood flow problems in the intracranial arteries.
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Used as both a diagnostic test or a treatment, a celiac plexus block is an injection that treats abdominal pain caused by cancer, chronic pancreatitis or adhesions. A local anesthetic is injected to block the celiac plexus nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Although uncommon, risks for the procedure may include the following: injury to major blood vessels, nerve roots, kidneys or lungs.
- Ganglion Impar Block
- Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block
- A superior hypogastric plexus block can be used to manage pelvic pain that has not responded to oral medication or if the side effects from the oral medication (excessive nausea, constipation, and sedation) have become unacceptable to the patient. This injection can be used to alleviate pain that originates from a large area of the abdomen, including the bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, vulva, perineum, prostate, penis, testes, rectum, and descending colon and has been successfully used to alleviate both malignancy-associated anal-rectal pain and nonmalignant penile pain.
- Pudendal Nerve Block
- Using x-ray images, the pudendal nerve block can be a very effective diagnostic tool when used in concert with a complete history and physical examination for patients with suspected pudendal neuralgia. Pudendal neuralgia affects sensation and function of the external genitals, the urethra, the anus, and perineum. During the procedure, the nerve is injected with a local anesthetic to assess whether symptoms can be relieved.
- Splanchnic Nerve Block
- A splanchnic nerve block is an injection of medication that helps relieve upper abdominal pain commonly due to cancer or chronic pancreatitis by blocking the nerves. Located on both sides of your spine, the splanchnic nerves carry pain information to the brain from organs in the abdomen. Once the area is numbed with a local anesthetic, a thin needle is guided into the area using x-ray technology is used to guide a thin needle into the splanchnic nerve area, after which an anesthetic is injected. The procedure itself only takes about 45 minutes, and patients can return home the same day. Risk of complication from this procedure is typically very low, but patients may experience soreness and bruising at the injection site and dizziness and diarrhea from the injected medication. These side effects will subside in a few hours. Serious complications, including infection and bleeding, are uncommon.
Pain Management for Specific Types of Pain

Dr. Igor Turok specializes in neck pain treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in tingling treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in headache treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in Carpal Tunnel treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in Osteoarthritis treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in shoulder pain treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in elbow pain treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in knee pain treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Dr. Igor Turok specializes in Fibromyalgia pain treatment in Wallingford, CT and Stamford, CT.
Additional Procedures & Treatments

By injecting a trigger point with medicine, pain is reduced and movement is increased.
- Contributory medications that work with other drugs to relieve discomfort: antidepressants, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxers
- Anti-inflammatory drugs that provide pain relief by reducing swelling and inflammation
- Opiates or “pain killers” are most often used to treat acute pain or cancer-related pain, but can also be prescribed for chronic pain
Many of these medications can be delivered in alternative methods such as topical ointments, transdermal patches, sublingual medications, nasal sprays, and of course oral medications and injections.
Medical Marijuana
The State of Connecticut passed a piece of marijuana legislation that effectively establishes a state-regulated medical marijuana program. While the measure itself narrows down the amount of qualifying diagnoses or conditions that would qualify a patient for the therapeutic used of cannabis within the state, the CT program was drafted with careful and strict controls that operates under a very tight regulation and oversight.
Working with the physical therapist to establish goals, you can gradually begin to rebuild strength, coordination and flexibility, while being educated on how each modality is helpful and how to continue therapy at home.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are used to fill wrinkles and soften the appearance of lines or folds, providing our clients with younger-looking, firmer skin and can even provide results comparable with those from a face lift- but without the surgery and recovery.
- We offer Juvederm®, Voluma®, Radiesse® and Belotero® because we believe these fillers, as the latest in dermal filler technology, provide the best results for our patients.
- While the number of syringes each patient needs will vary, 1-2 syringes is considered typical.
- Juvederm® Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC and Voluma® XC are delivered in 1.0cc syringes that are premixed with Lidocaine®, a local anesthetic, to provide increased patient comfort.
- Radiesse® comes in both .08cc and 1.5cc syringes and Belotero® is offered in 1.0cc syringes.
Botox® and Xeomin®
- May be used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), around the side of the eyes (crow’s feet lines), and smooth away wrinkles around the mouth and nose in adults for a short period of time (temporary).
- May also be used to treat gummy smiles and to soften clefts in the chin.
- Tiny injections are administered in and around the treatment area. You should experience little to no discomfort and usually takes around 20 minutes.
- Patients can expect to see results in 7-14 days.
PRP therapy is a natural (non-synthetic) solution of concentrated platelets and white blood cells derived from your own blood that will not be reabsorbed or synthesized by the body. The patient’s own platelets are harvested and concentrated to work in conjunction with injectables to provide enhanced results and to promote permanent tissue growth and repair for up to 5 weeks.
Prior to your procedure, a small sample of blood is drawn. The blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge that will separate and concentrate your body’s own natural healing agents. Once the solution is prepared, the Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is then injected into the damaged area. The platelets activate and release growth factors that trigger the patient’s body to begin the healing process.
Many patients find that a single treatment can provide relief from their symptoms and that the relief continues to improve over time. However, some patients may need up to 3 injections administered over several weeks to achieve the most relief.
This therapy is intended to resolve the patient’s symptoms by healing damaged tissue so they could experience long lasting results. Patients should begin to experience improvement within the first few weeks and should see continued improvement throughout the healing process.
PRP therapy can be an effective treatment for:
- Tendinosis / Tendinitis
- Rotator Cuff
- Muscle or Ligament Tears
- Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow
- Plantar Fasciilis
- Joint Pain Caused by Wear and Tear
- As a complement to aesthetic injectable procedures (i.e. Botox®/Dermal Fillers)
AmnioFix® is a human amniotic membrane allograft that has been used to successfully treat:
- Modulation of Inflammation
- Reduction of Scar Tissue Formation
- Enhancing Healing
Allografts have been used extensively for surgery and wound care, and amniotic membranes have been used in the medical field for over 100 years. AmnioFix® contains some of the most important growth factors needed for healing. Growth factors are powerful agents that our bodies produce to signal cells to come to the target site, help the site to heal, help your own cells regenerate the damaged tissue.
AmnioFix® may be an effective solution for patients if:
- A patient has been diagnosed with inflammation from an injury
- Conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and bracing have been ineffective
- A patient is seeking a non-steroidal option or has reached the limit for steroid injections
Treatment Procedure:
Following an evaluation and consultation to determine if AmnioFix® is a viable treatment option for the patient, the entire AmnioFix® treatment process is very short and is generally performed on an outpatient basis. After treatment, the site might appear red and be tender to the touch. Patients can apply ice and elevate the treated area as needed. Patients may initially experience some localized soreness and discomfort that may last 2-3 days.
Following treatment, Dr. Turok may prescribe some rehabilitation exercises or direct you to a rehabilitation facility. For AmnioFix® to work optimally, it is important that you follow post-treatment care completely.
All of the amniotic membrane tissue for AmnioFix® is donated by healthy consenting mothers. The amniotic membrane is the cover (membrane) surrounding the baby, is typically discarded after the baby is born and it’s recovery does not affect the baby or the delivery process. Therefore, the donation process does not share the ethical concerns associated with embryonic tissue. Additionally, all tissue donors are tested for infectious diseases and then thoroughly cleansed and preserved. AmnioFix® allografts are procured and processed in the United States according to the standards and/or regulations established by the American Association of Tissue Banks {AATB) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).