Neurological pain may involve burning, tingling, numbness, headaches, facial pain, dizziness, autonomic symptoms, muscle spasms, or radiating pain.
Neurological conditions can affect every part of the body, causing chronic pain, headaches, nerve dysfunction, and autonomic symptoms. Dr. Siefferman explains the wide range of neurological disorders treated at Manhattan Pain Medicine and how a personalized evaluation can help identify the best treatment approach.
Our team organizes conditions and treatments into related zones of expertise to make it easier to explore the care paths most relevant to your symptoms and goals.
Use the zone tags above to browse dedicated pages for each focus area, including services, providers, and what to expect during treatment.
Hi, I’m Dr. Jason Siefferman, interventional pain specialist, board-certified headache specialist, and medical director at Manhattan Pain Medicine. We treat a variety of neurological conditions which cause pain and dysfunction. Starting from the head down, we treat chronic migraine and all headache conditions. We treat a variety of spinal conditions as well as peripheral nerve entrapments. We treat spasticity and we treat dysautonomia. You can see on this page there are a wide variety of neurologic conditions which we treat, and we are happy to evaluate you to see how we might be able to help you best.
Neurological pain conditions can involve the peripheral nerves, spine, brain pathways, autonomic nervous system, headache systems, or movement control. Symptoms may include burning, tingling, numbness, electric pain, facial pain, headaches, dizziness, weakness, spasms, radiating pain, or sensitivity to touch.
Some patients also experience autonomic symptoms, such as lightheadedness, heart rate changes, fatigue, temperature changes, or GI symptoms. Because the same symptom can come from nerve compression, neuropathy, dysautonomia, headache disorder, dystonia, spine pathology, inflammation, hypermobility, or central sensitization, careful evaluation is important before treatment begins.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine, evaluation begins by identifying the pain generator and understanding how neurological symptoms fit into the broader clinical picture.
MPM does not replace neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, rheumatology, or emergency care when those are needed. Instead, MPM helps evaluate neurological pain patterns, nerve-related symptoms, headache overlap, autonomic dysfunction, hypermobility-related nerve vulnerability, and complex chronic pain contributors.
Care may include medication management, diagnostic ultrasound, nerve blocks, nerve hydrodissection, infusions, botulinum toxin, neuromodulation, pain psychology, biofeedback, acupuncture, Feldenkrais, or coordinated referral when appropriate.
Neurological pain is not one condition. Burning foot pain may come from peripheral neuropathy, nerve entrapment, radiculopathy, vitamin deficiency, autoimmune inflammation, diabetes, medication effects, or central pain processing. Facial pain may reflect trigeminal neuralgia, headache pathways, TMJ overlap, cervical referral, or cranial nerve irritation. Dizziness and fatigue may involve autonomic dysfunction, POTS, post-viral changes, medication effects, cardiovascular issues, or neurologic disease.
MPM’s diagnosis-first approach focuses on mapping the source and pathway of pain. The goal is not simply to label symptoms as nerve pain, but to determine whether the pain is peripheral, central, autonomic, headache-related, spinal, inflammatory, movement-related, post-viral, hypermobility-related, or mixed. That distinction helps guide treatment selection and specialty coordination.
Neurological pain often crosses several MPM Zones of Expertise, including Hypermobility, Autoimmune and Inflammatory, Autonomic dysfunction, Headache, and Complex Chronic Pain. This matters because neurological symptoms may not come from one isolated structure. A patient may have nerve entrapment with hypermobility, headache with autonomic symptoms, post-viral pain with central sensitization, or inflammatory disease with neuropathic symptoms.
MPM uses the Zones of Expertise framework to route evaluation and care. This helps clarify whether symptoms are nerve-related, headache-related, autonomic, inflammatory, spinal, structural, movement-related, or centralized. It also helps determine when coordination with neurology, neurosurgery, rheumatology, cardiology, primary care, physical therapy, or behavioral health is needed.
I cannot say enough good things about Manhattan Pain Medicine. From the moment I walked in, I felt truly cared for and taken seriously. Dr. Nino Mikaberidze, Director of Rheumatology, is exceptional — knowledgeable, compassionate, and incredibly thorough. She takes the time to listen, explains every...
The best care I've received as a chronic pain patient. I traveled from out of state to visit Manhattan Pain Medicine because I could not find knowledgeable doctors in my hometown for my hypermobility, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome symptoms and comorbidities. Let me tell you, it was worth every travel e...
I was injured in a bicycle accident over 8 years ago. I’ve suffered throughout the years since my accident with nothing seeming to work. PT, Yoga, lifestyle changes, NOTHNG! I finally made an appointment with Dr Kane and I’m feeling an improvement in my life. I no longer stay up all night in pain, a...
One of the best experiences, if not the best, I have ever had at the doctor’s office. From the front desk to the nurses to the PA assisting the doctor this was a great experience. Dr.Nino actually listened to me and came up with a game plan. Would recommend this practice to as many people as I could...
I have very unique & severe nerve pain from CRPS which has no known specific cure. Dr. Siefferman has a huge tool box, far greater than the other 23 Drs. I have seen. He saved me from jumping off a bridge and continues to help me with both treatments and advice. Dr. S. is in a different league!
After two years of searching and feeling lost and let down, I finally found real help at Manhattan Pain Medicine. With Dr. Siefferman, Adam Rosenberg, Dr. Mikaberidze, and the whole team, I feel heard, supported and understood. Every symptom is being considered and I’m finally getting answers with m...
Why is Dr Dr. Tayyaba Ahmed one of the top pevic Floor specialists - 1- She wants to know a full history of what led the patient to get to this point. 2 - She listens intensley to the patient 3- She does not rush you 4- Extremely skilled at giving pelvic floor injections 5- I thank my luck stars she...
The staff was friendly and helpful. Dr. Siefferman was thoughtful, listened, asked questions and proposed simple safe ways to come to further conclusions regarding my pain and discomfort. The office staff including Dr. Siefferman is responsive even after the initial in-person visit. Very pleased.
Dr. Siefferman is a brilliant provider. While my pain is still a work in progress, Dr Siefferman always gives me options and explains his reasoning behind things. He listens to my feedback and concerns. I never feel rushed; and am grateful he works to meet me where I am. I highly recommend him.
What a great find! They listen to me, I listen to them and the diagnosis is made and a plan developed to develop an approach to treat all of my chronic pain. I wish I could have discovered this type of treatment sooner. This doctor and group give me hope.
Neurological pain conditions involve pain related to nerves, the spinal cord, brain pathways, autonomic function, headache systems, or movement control. Symptoms may come from peripheral neuropathy, nerve entrapment, radiculopathy, trigeminal neuralgia, headache disorders, dystonia, CRPS, central pain syndromes, POTS, post-viral pain, or spine-related conditions. Some neurological pain is caused by direct nerve irritation or injury. Other pain is related to nervous system sensitization, autonomic dysregulation, inflammation, structural compression, or overlapping chronic pain mechanisms.
Nerve pain may feel burning, tingling, numb, electric, stabbing, shooting, icy, hypersensitive, or radiating. Some patients feel pain from light touch, temperature changes, movement, or pressure. Others notice weakness, cramping, spasms, balance changes, or altered sensation. Nerve pain can be localized, such as a nerve entrapment, or more widespread, such as peripheral neuropathy. Similar sensations can also occur with spine conditions, central pain syndromes, inflammatory disease, vitamin deficiency, medication effects, or autonomic dysfunction, so evaluation should identify the source.
Neurological symptoms should be evaluated when they are persistent, progressive, unexplained, painful, function-limiting, or associated with weakness, numbness, balance problems, dizziness, headaches, autonomic symptoms, or changes in sensation. Urgent evaluation is needed for sudden weakness or numbness, facial droop, speech difficulty, vision loss, severe sudden headache, seizure, fainting, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle anesthesia, confusion, fever with neck stiffness, rapidly worsening balance problems, new trouble swallowing or breathing, or symptoms after major trauma.
MPM evaluates neurological pain by reviewing the symptom pattern, medical history, prior testing, imaging, neurologic findings, pain location, triggers, and response to prior treatment. The exam may assess sensation, strength, movement, tenderness, spine referral, nerve irritation, autonomic symptoms, headache features, and musculoskeletal contributors. MPM may review EMG, MRI, autonomic testing, lab work, or specialist notes when available. Diagnostic ultrasound, diagnostic blocks, or additional specialty referral may be considered when the pain pattern suggests a specific nerve, joint, spine, or soft tissue target.
Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage, irritation, or dysfunction in nerves, the spinal cord, or brain pain pathways. It may feel burning, tingling, electric, stabbing, numb, or hypersensitive. Neuropathic pain can occur with peripheral neuropathy, nerve entrapment, radiculopathy, sciatica, post-surgical nerve irritation, trigeminal neuralgia, CRPS, central pain syndromes, or spinal cord-related conditions. Treatment depends on the source and may include medication management, nerve blocks, image-guided procedures, nerve hydrodissection, neuromodulation, pain psychology, or coordinated neurologic care.
Yes. Autonomic dysfunction can affect body systems controlled automatically, including heart rate, blood pressure regulation, temperature regulation, sweating, digestion, and standing tolerance. Patients with POTS may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, palpitations, brain fog, weakness, headaches, nausea, GI symptoms, and pain sensitivity. These symptoms can overlap with neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, medication-related, and post-viral conditions. MPM evaluates autonomic symptoms in context and coordinates with cardiology, neurology, primary care, or autonomic specialists when appropriate.
Treatment for nerve pain depends on the diagnosis. Options may include medication management, B12 replacement when deficiency is relevant, peripheral nerve blocks, occipital nerve block, trigeminal nerve block, pudendal nerve block, glossopharyngeal nerve block, nerve hydrodissection, ultrasound-guided injections, infusions, lidocaine and ketamine infusions, pain psychology, biofeedback, acupuncture, Feldenkrais, and rehabilitation coordination. Neuromodulation may be considered for selected chronic nerve pain patterns. Treatment should be pathway-specific and supervised by clinicians familiar with the risks, anatomy, and diagnosis.
Neuromodulation may be considered for selected chronic nerve pain patterns when symptoms remain significant despite appropriate evaluation and conservative or interventional care. Options may include spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, or peripheral nerve stimulation, depending on the pain location and diagnosis. Neuromodulation is not appropriate for every neurological pain condition. It requires careful patient selection, diagnostic clarity, risk discussion, trialing when appropriate, and coordination with the care team. MPM considers neuromodulation only when the pain pattern and clinical history support it.
Before care begins, our team helps patients understand the practical side of treatment, including insurance verification, out-of-network benefits, cost-share estimates, self-pay options, and billing questions. We believe patients should have as much clarity as possible before moving forward.
Neurological pain is a broad category of pain and functional symptoms involving the nervous system. It may affect the peripheral nerves, spine, brain pathways, autonomic nervous system, cranial nerves, headache systems, or movement control. Symptoms may include burning, tingling, numbness, electric shocks, stabbing pain, radiating pain, facial pain, headaches, dizziness, weakness, spasms, tremor, abnormal muscle tightening, or sensitivity to touch.
Because neurological symptoms can come from many different sources, the first step is clarity. A patient with nerve entrapment needs a different plan than someone with peripheral neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, POTS, CRPS, dystonia, central pain syndrome, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or post-COVID pain.
Peripheral nerves carry signals between the body and the spinal cord or brain. When a nerve is compressed, irritated, inflamed, injured, or sensitized, pain may feel burning, tingling, electric, stabbing, numb, or radiating. Nerve entrapment can occur in specific regions, such as cubital tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, peroneal nerve entrapment, pudendal neuralgia, piriformis syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, or peripheral nerve entrapment in the arms, legs, pelvis, or trunk.
MPM may evaluate whether a nerve is being compressed by surrounding tissue, irritated after injury or surgery, affected by scar tissue, or sensitized by chronic pain pathways. Diagnostic ultrasound, peripheral nerve blocks, nerve hydrodissection, and medication management may be considered when clinically appropriate.
Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, imbalance, sensitivity, and sometimes autonomic symptoms. It may be related to diabetes, autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiency, medication effects, infection, chemotherapy, alcohol use, genetic factors, or other medical conditions. Evaluation may require coordination with neurology, primary care, rheumatology, endocrinology, or other specialists.
MPM’s role is to evaluate and treat pain-related components while ensuring that underlying medical causes are considered and managed by the appropriate clinician.
Neurological pain can also involve headache and facial pain pathways. Conditions such as headache and migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, and orofacial dystonia can create severe, disabling pain.
Treatment depends on the condition. Options may include medication management, botulinum toxin for selected migraine or dystonia patterns, trigeminal nerve block, glossopharyngeal nerve block, occipital nerve block, sphenopalatine ganglion block, or coordinated neurology and headache care. The key is to distinguish headache, cranial nerve pain, TMJ overlap, cervical referral, and central pain sensitization.
The autonomic nervous system regulates functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, temperature regulation, and standing tolerance. Autonomic dysfunction and POTS may cause dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, nausea, GI symptoms, temperature sensitivity, weakness, headaches, and pain sensitivity. Post-COVID pain and EBV-related pain may also involve post-viral symptoms, autonomic changes, headache, neuropathic pain, or central sensitization.
MPM does not replace cardiology, neurology, or dedicated autonomic care. Instead, MPM evaluates pain drivers that may overlap with autonomic dysfunction and coordinates with appropriate specialists when needed.
Dystonia and spasticity can cause abnormal muscle tightening, spasms, cramping, posture changes, pain, and functional limitation. Cervical dystonia, orofacial dystonia, focal dystonia, thoracic outlet-related symptoms, and muscle overactivity patterns may require careful evaluation. Botulinum toxin or chemodenervation may be considered for selected dystonia or muscle overactivity patterns when clinically appropriate.
Movement-related neurological pain can also overlap with musculoskeletal pain, joint instability, hypermobility, and chronic pain sensitization. This is why MPM evaluates both the nervous system and the movement system.
Some pain is driven by damage or dysfunction in central nervous system pathways, or by sensitization that develops over time. Central pain syndromes, CRPS, fibromyalgia, chronic post-viral pain, headache disorders, pelvic pain, and complex chronic pain may involve nervous system amplification. This does not mean the pain is imagined. It means the pain system itself may become more sensitive and protective.
Pain psychology and biofeedback can support nervous system regulation, coping, sleep, fear of movement, stress physiology, and function. These tools are not replacements for medical evaluation. They are part of a coordinated pain plan when central pain processing or chronic pain sensitization contributes.
Treatment depends on the pain pathway. MPM may consider medication management, B12 replacement when appropriate, peripheral nerve blocks, occipital nerve block, trigeminal nerve block, pudendal nerve block, glossopharyngeal nerve block, scar neuroma injection, nerve hydrodissection, diagnostic ultrasound, botulinum toxin, infusions, lidocaine and ketamine infusions, ketamine therapy, sympathetic blocks, stellate ganglion blocks, spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, pain psychology, biofeedback, acupuncture, or Feldenkrais.
These treatments are not interchangeable. Neuromodulation belongs to selected chronic nerve pain patterns. Botulinum toxin belongs to selected migraine, dystonia, or muscle overactivity patterns. Nerve hydrodissection belongs to selected entrapment patterns. Infusions require careful indication and monitoring. The plan should be built around the diagnosis.
Patients should seek urgent care for sudden weakness or numbness, facial droop, speech difficulty, vision loss, seizure, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe sudden headache, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle anesthesia, confusion, fever with neck stiffness, rapidly worsening balance problems, severe dizziness, new trouble swallowing or breathing, or symptoms after major trauma.
MPM approaches neurological pain through a diagnosis-first, coordinated model. The evaluation considers peripheral nerves, spine referral, headache pathways, autonomic dysfunction, hypermobility, autoimmune or inflammatory contributors, dystonia, post-viral symptoms, central pain processing, and complex chronic pain overlap.
For patients looking for neurological pain treatment in Manhattan, MPM offers a careful pain medicine perspective that can work alongside neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, rheumatology, primary care, physical therapy, behavioral health, and other specialists when needed. The goal is to clarify the pain pathway, avoid one-size-fits-all treatment, and build a plan that supports function, safety, and coordinated care.
