Pediatric pain can affect school, sleep, sports, mood, movement, and daily life. MPM provides diagnosis-first evaluation and coordinated care planning for children, teens, and young adults with persistent pain.
Learn how Dr. Ahmed approaches pediatric pain, from identifying the underlying cause to creating personalized treatment plans that help children return to the activities they love.
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.
When a child is in pain for a long time, it affects so much more than just their body. Sometimes pain starts after an injury, illness, or surgery. Other times, it develops more gradually. And often, families are told that everything “looks normal,” even though the child is still struggling every day.
What many people don’t realize is that pain can become more than just the original injury. The nervous system can become more sensitive over time, and the body can start developing compensation patterns, guarding, tension, and even pelvic floor dysfunction that continue to reinforce symptoms. That can affect sleep, school, sports, mood, social life, and confidence.
My approach is always to step back and look at the whole picture. I spend time listening carefully, understanding the child’s experience, and figuring out what may be contributing to the pain, not just physically, but functionally and emotionally as well.
Treatment may involve movement-based rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, pelvic floor work, coordination with physical therapy, and helping patients gradually rebuild trust in their body again.
Most importantly, I want patients and families to know that the pain is real, and that there are often more options than they’ve been told.
Pain in children and teens should be taken seriously, especially when it persists, keeps returning, limits activity, affects school, disrupts sleep, or does not match standard imaging or testing. Pediatric pain may involve headaches, migraine, hypermobility, EDS, musculoskeletal pain, sports-related injuries, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, CRPS, neurologic symptoms, dystonia, spasticity, spine pain, or complex chronic pain patterns.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine, pediatric and adolescent pain is evaluated through a diagnosis-first, age-appropriate, family-centered approach. The goal is to understand what may be driving the pain, how it is affecting function, and which specialists or treatments may be appropriate.
MPM does not reduce persistent pain to “growing pains,” stress, or normal sports soreness. At the same time, pediatric pain requires careful clinical judgment, appropriate pediatric collaboration, parent or guardian involvement when applicable, and treatment choices that fit the child’s age, diagnosis, safety profile, and goals.
MPM evaluates pediatric pain by reviewing the full clinical picture: pain location, onset, injury history, headache patterns, joint mobility, sports activity, sleep, school impact, prior imaging, previous specialist visits, medication history, functional decline, and emotional stress related to pain.
For families looking for pediatric pain treatment in Manhattan or NYC, MPM helps determine whether symptoms may be structural, inflammatory, neurologic, musculoskeletal, hypermobility-related, pelvic-related, headache-related, or part of a complex chronic pain process.
Care may involve coordination with pediatricians, neurology, rheumatology, orthopedics, gynecology, gastroenterology, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapy, pain psychology, school supports, and other members of the care team.
Children and teens may have real pain even when imaging is normal, labs are inconclusive, or the pain moves between different areas of the body. Pain can be influenced by injury, inflammation, joint instability, nerve sensitivity, migraine biology, muscle guarding, pelvic symptoms, sleep disruption, stress physiology, autonomic symptoms, or nervous system sensitization.
This does not mean the pain is imagined. It means the evaluation needs to look beyond one scan, one joint, or one symptom. MPM’s diagnosis-first approach helps families understand what may be contributing and what next steps are appropriate.
The focus is not only pain intensity. MPM also evaluates how pain affects school attendance, sports, sleep, movement, mood, independence, and quality of life.
Pediatric pain may involve several of MPM’s Zones of Expertise, including Complex Chronic Pain, Hypermobility, Musculoskeletal issues, Pelvic Pain, and Headache. Some children or teens have pain that fits one clear pattern. Others have overlapping symptoms, such as migraine with hypermobility, abdominal pain with autonomic symptoms, pelvic pain with endometriosis concerns, or sports pain with joint instability.
MPM evaluates these patterns carefully. The goal is to avoid both under-recognizing real pain and over-attributing symptoms to one diagnosis. A structured evaluation helps guide safer, more individualized care.
These guys are the best. I've been going here for over 6 years and their familiarity with my Schwannomatosis (most ppl have never even heard of it - its rather rare) and their ability to diagnose my CRPS quickly and accurately and then treat it like I was merely getting a flu shot is just incredible...
Highly recommended for those who need Pain Management. Everyone at Manhattan Pain Medicine is extremely nice and helpful. I have had very good interactions with both Dr. Siefferman and Dr. Louis. All of the staff is very responsive. 5 stars.
The providers at Manhattan Pain Medicine are exceptional. I wish I had found them 30 years ago!
I genuinely can’t say enough good things about the team at Manhattan Pain Medicine. I have MCAS, EDS, and an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and I’ve basically been searching for answers since I was a kid. I had years of unexplained inflammation markers, chronic pain, and allergic reactions despite...
I have a complex medical history and have seen a lot of doctors over the years. Dr. Mikaberidze and Dr. Siefferman each took the time to really listen and understand everything I had been dealing with. I also appreciated how they work together and communicated about my care. I left with a plan that...
Sharing my gratitude for the pleasant experience last week during my visit, the medical team provided great care and also treated my session as a learning experience, I left my session with a wealth of knowledge. A big thank you to the kind, and professional staff who welcomed me to the office as a...
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...
Dr Siefferman is the most thorough, patient doctor I have even been to. Currently I travel from miami to nyc to see him because his bed side manner and desire to help is incomparable.
ZocDoc
This practice is wonderful. I have been a patient of Dr. Siefferman’s since 2019 and he’s extremely helpful and kind. He has brought in a Rheumatologist who is also great. They handle very complex pain issues and always try to find new ways to help me.
Dr. Siefferman is an incredible doctor! He is extremely diligent and knowledgeable. It feels like you are his only patient. He invests a lot of time and effort into your injuries and concerns. I did not find these wonderful qualities with other pain specialists before, who were always rushed and som...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a doctor who combines the old world bedside manner of doctors from my childhood (60 years ago) with a sta te of the art embrace of modern technology. It is always a pleasure to have an appointment with him...always has options and solutions to my medical issues. He is truly the doc...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a genius. He is very informed and listens attentively.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman and his entire team continue to be efficient, dedicated, and driven by precision and a genuine desire to give fantastic care. Will always recommend.
ZocDoc
Doctor Siefferman is fantastic. Have been seeing him for 5 years. Couldn’t recommend more.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is the ONLY doctor who has ever been able to diagnose my pain and treat it. He is hands down the best
ZocDoc
Pediatric chronic pain is pain in a child, teen, or young adult that persists, recurs, or continues beyond the expected healing period. It may affect school, sleep, sports, mood, movement, family routines, and daily function. Chronic pain in younger patients can involve the body, nervous system, emotions, activity patterns, medical history, and stress physiology. The pain is real, even when testing does not show one simple cause.
A child or teen should be evaluated by a pain specialist when pain persists, worsens, limits function, interferes with school or sleep, prevents normal activity, keeps returning after treatment, or remains unexplained after appropriate evaluation. A pain specialist may also help when symptoms involve headache, hypermobility, EDS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, CRPS, nerve pain, dystonia, spasticity, or complex chronic pain.
Chronic pain in children and teens can come from many sources. These may include injury, joint instability, hypermobility, EDS, migraine, abdominal conditions, pelvic pain, inflammation, autoimmune disease, nerve irritation, spine conditions, CRPS, muscle guarding, sleep disruption, stress physiology, or nervous system sensitization. Some patients have more than one contributor, which is why diagnosis-first evaluation is important.
Yes. Hypermobility and EDS can contribute to joint pain, recurrent sprains, subluxations, muscle fatigue, headaches, abdominal symptoms, dizziness, pelvic pain, and functional limitation in some children and teens. However, not every flexible child has EDS or HSD, and not every pain symptom is caused by hypermobility. MPM evaluates joint stability, injury history, movement patterns, symptoms, and prior workup before recommending care.
Yes. Children and teens can have migraine, chronic migraine, tension-type headache, neck-related headache, TMJ-related headache, or other headache disorders. Pediatric migraine may involve head pain, nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, dizziness, abdominal symptoms, fatigue, and school disruption. A careful headache history helps determine the headache type and whether neurology, imaging, medication management, Botox for migraine in selected cases, or other care may be appropriate.
Yes. Teens can have pelvic pain, menstrual pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis-related symptoms, abdominal pain, hip-related pelvic pain, nerve pain, or musculoskeletal pelvic pain. Painful periods that interfere with school, activities, sleep, or daily life should not be dismissed. MPM may coordinate with gynecology, pelvic floor therapy, pediatrics, and other specialists when pelvic pain needs further evaluation.
Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a pain condition that can occur after an injury, illness, immobilization, or sometimes without a clear trigger. In children and teens, CRPS may involve severe limb pain, sensitivity to touch, swelling, color or temperature changes, sweating changes, weakness, movement fear, and functional loss. Pediatric CRPS care often requires coordinated rehabilitation, pain psychology, family support, and careful medical evaluation.
Yes. A sports injury can sometimes lead to persistent pain if there is an unresolved tissue injury, joint instability, altered movement, nerve irritation, muscle guarding, overtraining, incomplete rehabilitation, or chronic pain sensitization. Persistent pain after a sports injury should be evaluated, especially when it affects walking, running, school participation, sleep, or return to sport.
Evaluation begins with a detailed history, physical examination, review of prior imaging or labs, medication review, activity and school impact, sleep assessment, and functional goals. Depending on the symptoms, MPM may consider headache evaluation, joint mobility assessment, musculoskeletal exam, neurologic review, pelvic pain history, diagnostic ultrasound, or coordination with pediatric specialists. The goal is to identify the likely pain generator and build an age-appropriate plan.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Care may include physical rehabilitation, pain psychology, school and activity planning, medication management, headache-directed treatment, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injections, botulinum toxin in selected patterns, nerve hydrodissection, steroid injections, sympathetic blocks, or specialty referral when appropriate. Pediatric treatment must be individualized and selected carefully based on age, safety, diagnosis, and functional goals.
Yes, pain psychology can be helpful for many children and teens with chronic pain. It does not mean the pain is imaginary. Pain psychology can support coping skills, nervous system regulation, sleep, school re-entry, movement confidence, stress physiology, family communication, and function. It is often most helpful when used as part of a coordinated care plan.
Injections or procedures may be considered in selected pediatric or adolescent pain cases, but they are not appropriate for every patient. Options such as ultrasound-guided injections, steroid injections, botulinum toxin, nerve hydrodissection, sympathetic blocks, or chemodenervation require careful diagnosis, age-appropriate evaluation, guardian consent when applicable, risk discussion, and clinician supervision. MPM does not present procedures as routine treatment for all pediatric pain.
Pediatric pain should be evaluated urgently if it is associated with fever, unexplained weight loss, severe night pain, new weakness or numbness, trouble walking, bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, sudden severe headache, vision changes, stiff neck, severe abdominal pain, testicular pain, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, major trauma, suspected infection, suicidal thoughts, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
If your child, teen, or young adult has persistent pain affecting school, sleep, sports, movement, mood, or daily life, MPM can help evaluate what may be contributing. Our diagnosis-first approach considers headache, migraine, hypermobility, EDS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, CRPS, neurologic symptoms, sports injuries, and complex chronic pain. Request an appointment to discuss symptoms, prior evaluations, and care options.
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.
If your child, teen, or young adult has persistent pain affecting school, sleep, sports, movement, mood, or daily life, MPM can help evaluate what may be contributing. Our diagnosis-first approach considers headache, migraine, hypermobility, EDS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, CRPS, neurologic symptoms, sports injuries, and complex chronic pain. Request an appointment to discuss symptoms, prior evaluations, and care options.
Pediatric pain is different from adult pain in important ways. Children and teens are still growing physically, emotionally, socially, and developmentally. Pain can affect school attendance, sleep, sports, friendships, mood, independence, family routines, and confidence in movement. When pain persists, the goal is not only to reduce symptoms. The goal is to understand the pain pattern, protect safety, and help the child return to function in an age-appropriate way.
Persistent pain should not be dismissed as growing pains, stress, attention-seeking, or normal sports soreness when it is interfering with life. At the same time, not every pain complaint means there is a dangerous structural problem. Pediatric pain often requires a balanced approach that validates symptoms while carefully identifying the most likely drivers.
Children and teens may develop pain for many reasons. Some have headaches or migraine. Others have joint pain related to hypermobility, EDS, recurrent sprains, or sports injuries. Some have abdominal pain, pelvic pain, menstrual pain, endometriosis-related symptoms, spine pain, CRPS, muscle pain, slipping rib syndrome, dystonia, spasticity, TMJ disorders, or neurologic symptoms.
Pain may begin after an injury, illness, surgery, viral infection, immobilization, sports activity, or a period of stress. In other cases, the pain begins gradually and becomes more noticeable as it affects school, sleep, sports, or daily routines.
Families often feel confused when a child has significant pain but imaging or labs do not show a clear cause. Normal testing can be reassuring, but it does not always explain why pain is happening. Pain may come from joint instability, muscle guarding, nerve sensitivity, migraine biology, inflammation, pelvic floor dysfunction, autonomic symptoms, or nervous system sensitization.
This is why MPM evaluates the full clinical pattern. The question is not simply whether a scan is normal. The question is whether the pain pattern, exam, function, history, and prior workup point toward a structural, inflammatory, neurologic, musculoskeletal, pelvic, headache-related, or complex chronic pain contributor.
Headache and migraine are common reasons children and teens need further evaluation. Pediatric migraine may involve head pain, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal symptoms, and school disruption. Some patients have chronic migraine or headaches that happen frequently enough to affect daily life.
MPM evaluates headache patterns carefully, including frequency, triggers, medication use, neck pain, TMJ symptoms, dizziness, autonomic symptoms, sleep, prior imaging, and prior neurology care. Treatment may involve medication management, headache education, lifestyle and school planning, pain psychology, biofeedback, Botox for migraine in selected patients, or coordination with neurology when appropriate.
Hypermobility can be asymptomatic in some children, but in others it may contribute to joint pain, sprains, subluxations, muscle fatigue, headaches, abdominal symptoms, dizziness, and functional limitation. Children and teens with EDS or hypermobility spectrum disorder may have pain across multiple joints, repeated injuries, poor tolerance of aggressive stretching, or symptoms that are not fully explained by routine imaging.
MPM evaluates joint mobility, stability, injury history, movement patterns, strength, pain location, and functional goals. Treatment planning may include stabilization-focused rehabilitation, activity modification, school or sports planning, diagnostic ultrasound when appropriate, and carefully selected interventions only when the diagnosis supports them.
Sports and activity are important for many children and teens, but persistent sports pain should be evaluated when it does not improve as expected. Pain may come from a chronic sprain, tendon injury, joint instability, spine pain, muscle pain, slipping rib syndrome, hernia-related pain, athletic pubalgia, or nerve irritation.
MPM’s goal is to identify whether pain is coming from the injured tissue, altered mechanics, muscle guarding, joint instability, nerve sensitivity, or an overlapping chronic pain process. This helps guide safer return-to-activity planning and avoids assuming that every persistent injury simply needs more rest or more stretching.
Pelvic pain in adolescents should be taken seriously, especially when pain affects school, sleep, movement, menstruation, bowel function, bladder function, sitting, or daily life. Possible contributors may include endometriosis-related symptoms, pelvic floor dysfunction, hip-related pelvic pain, sacroiliac joint pain, abdominal pain, nerve pain, hernia-related pain, or central pain sensitization.
MPM does not replace gynecology or pediatric specialty care. Instead, MPM can help evaluate pelvic pain generators and coordinate with gynecology, pelvic floor therapy, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and other clinicians when needed.
Complex regional pain syndrome can affect children and teens, often causing severe pain, sensitivity, swelling, color or temperature changes, movement difficulty, and functional loss. Care often requires a coordinated plan that may include rehabilitation, pain psychology, family support, medication review, and selected interventions only when clinically appropriate.
Complex chronic pain can also develop without CRPS. Pain may become more widespread, more sensitive, or more disruptive over time. This does not mean the child is exaggerating. It means the nervous system, body, and daily life have become part of the pain cycle and require coordinated treatment.
Pain psychology is often an important part of pediatric chronic pain care. It helps children and teens learn strategies for coping, nervous system regulation, sleep, school participation, movement confidence, and stress-related pain amplification. Pain psychology does not mean pain is “all in the head.” It is a clinical tool that helps the nervous system and the child’s daily function recover alongside medical and physical care.
Some pediatric and adolescent pain conditions may involve procedures, but these decisions require caution. Ultrasound-guided injections, steroid injections, nerve hydrodissection, sympathetic blocks, botulinum toxin, chemodenervation, prolotherapy, PRP, or regenerative medicine should not be presented as standard treatment for all pediatric pain.
When considered, procedures must be diagnosis-specific, age-appropriate, carefully consented, and supported by a clear treatment goal. MPM evaluates whether the suspected pain generator, risk profile, developmental stage, and prior treatment response support procedural care.
Families should seek urgent evaluation when pediatric pain is associated with fever, unexplained weight loss, severe night pain, new weakness, numbness, trouble walking, bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, sudden severe headache, vision changes, neck stiffness, severe abdominal pain, testicular pain, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, major trauma, suspected infection, suicidal thoughts, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
These symptoms may indicate a condition that requires immediate medical attention.
MPM approaches pediatric pain through diagnosis-first, family-centered care. The goal is to understand the pain pattern, identify treatable contributors, support function, coordinate with the right specialists, and select treatments carefully.
For families looking for pediatric pain treatment in Manhattan or NYC, MPM provides a structured pain medicine perspective for children, teens, and young adults with persistent pain. Care is grounded in clinical evaluation, safety, coordination, and the understanding that pediatric pain is real, meaningful, and deserving of thoughtful care.
