Chronic Pain Options

What is Chronic Pain Options?

Chronic Pain Options is the pain management service of South Shore Neurologic Associates, PC, designed to  provide high quality and cost-effective pain management through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach that offers the benefits of both conventional and alternative therapies.

Why a Chronic Pain Options program?

To give our patients who suffer from chronic pain the advantage of both conventional and alternative treatment modalities.  We have found this to be the most effective approach in managing difficult pain problems.  Our goal is to reduce pain through our treatment modalities, allowing the resumption of normal activity without continuous reliance on pain medication. We believe this is a more effective and desirable approach to pain management.         

Who is on the professional staff at Chronic Pain Options?                                          

Our professional staff is composed of pain management specialists from the fields of Neurology, Advanced Practice Nursing, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Psychology and Case Management.  The program is supervised by a Neurologist certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine.

What does the treatment program at Chronic Pain Options consist of?

Our treatment program is organized into three divisions:

I. Medical Pain Management

Medical Pain Management includes: injection of muscle trigger points to release spasm of individual muscles; peripheral and paravertebral nerve blocks to release regional muscle spasm; ligament injection (prolotherapy) to strengthen ligament attachments to bone; and articular (joint) injection to relieve joint pain.   

II. Manual Therapy

Manual Therapy includes chiropractic and physical therapy, utilizing various manual treatment modalities such as joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue  stretching and myofascial release, ultrasound and TENS electrotherapy. Training programs include functional rehabilitation, spinal stabilization, strength and endurance training, aerobic conditioning, balance therapy and postural re-education. 

III. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of headache, musculoskeletal and arthritic pain and pain from nerve injury (neuropathy).  It is also used for  detoxification during withdrawal from dependency on narcotic pain medication and smoking.  Acupuncture is frequently used in combination with other treatment modalities to enhance the therapeutic response. 

What determines the type of treatment  I will receive at Chronic Pain Options?

There are three stages to the treatment process:

I. Assessment

Your treatment plan is individually designed   based on the Pain Consultation,  which will include assessment of your pain history,  relevant medical history and a comprehensive   examination of constitutional, musculoskeletal and neurologic systems.  Treatment recommendations may  include any one or several of our treatment programs listed above. Risk factors that may limit your treatment or your recovery will  be considered when determining your treatment program.  

II. Treatment

Although we prefer a multi-modality treatment plan as the most effective approach when dealing with complex chronic pain problems, utilization of any single treatment or  combination of treatments will depend on insurance approval.  Insurance approval will be obtained by our Care Management Coordinator prior to the initiation of any treatment.  During treatment, your progress will be closely monitored and periodically reviewed at our weekly Multidisciplinary Staff Conference.  If you are not progressing satisfactorily, recommendation for change of treatment modality will be considered.

III. Re-evaluation

Depending on the chronicity and severity of your pain problem and possible insurance restrictions, re-evaluation occurs after three to six Medical Pain Management treatments, ten to twelve Acupuncture treatments and twelve to sixteen Manual Therapy treatments.  Progress is evaluated using your subjective report  of improvement and objective measures based on examination findings at the time of your re-evaluation.  Recommendation for further treatment or possible change of treatment modality will be based on your measured improvement and residual pain.

Are medications prescribed? 

During the initial phase of treatment, medication may be required as a supportive measure, or to facilitate your ability to enter a functional rehabilitation program.  However, the goal of Chronic Pain Options’ treatment program is to reduce your pain  through the employment of our treatment modalities to a level which will  allow you to resume normal activities without continuous reliance on pain medicine.

How do I enroll in Chronic Pain Options?

You can reach us by telephone at 631 727-3209.  Our coordinator is available Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm to answer your questions and to schedule your Pain Consultation. In addition, our Care Management Coordinator or Nurse Case Manager are available to discuss and coordinate the required treatment with your insurance company’s medical management and/or utilization review departments. 

Chronic Pain Options’ Professional Staff

Norman L. Chernik, M.D.

 Medical Director

Dr. Norman Chernik graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine.  Post graduate training included medical internship at the Cleveland Clinic, neurology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital  and a clinical fellowship in neuro-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.  He is a former Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology at Cornell Medical College and a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology, Voluntary Faculty, at State University of New York – Stony Brook.  Dr. Chernik is a is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pain Medicine and  the American Academy of Pain  Management. He is certified by the American Society of Neuro-rehabilitation and by the New York State Education Department in Acupuncture. He is a Fellow in the American College of Acupuncture.

Henry Moreta, MD

Dr. Henry Moreta graduated from Harvard Medical School. Postgraduate training included medical internship and neurology residency at North Shore University Hospital, where he was Chief Resident.  He is a former instructor in Neurology at Cornell Medical College and a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Voluntary Faculty, at State University of New York-Stony Brook.  Dr. Moreta is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialty of Neurology.

Norman Pflaster, MD           

Dr. Norman Pflaster graduated from the Chicago Medical School. Post graduate training included medical internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, neurology residency at the University of Michigan Hospital, and a clinical fellowship in Electroencephalography and Epilepsy at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York.  Dr. Pflaster is a former Assistant Professor of Neurology at Columbia University and the former Head of Electroencephalography at Harlem Hospital. Dr. Pflaster is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialty of Neurology and by the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology.

Patricia Grant, MS, ANP-C

Ms. Grant is a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner.  She received her Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing from Suffolk Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Molloy College and a Master of Science degree in Adult Health Nursing from State University of New York – Stony Brook.  Ms. Grant is a former Critical Care and Emergency Room Nurse at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center and Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Yu Qing Ye, OMD

Ms.Yu Qing (Stephanie) Ye graduated from the Shanghai College of Chinese Traditional Medicine as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine.  She spent ten years on the teaching faculty of the Yue Yan Hospital of the Shanghai College Hospital Complex.  She is a Diplomate in Acupuncture and certified by the  National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and by the New York State Education Department in Acupuncture.  She is a Fellow in the American Society of Acupuncturists.

Ralph Mangels, DC

Dr. Ralph Mangels graduated from the New York Chiropractic College.  He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology and is certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnositic Technicians. Dr. Mangels is a lecturer on the  Graduate faculty of the New York Chiropractic College.

Christina A. Burke, PT, MA

Ms. Burke received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College and a Master of Arts degree in Exercise Physiology from Queens College.  She trained in vestibular and balance therapy at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center.  Ms. Burke is a former Senior Physical Therapist and Clinical Supervisor of Adult Rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation and  a former Adjunct Professor in Exercise Physiology in the Physical Therapy Masters Program at Long Island University.   

Gisela Gibbons, Rehabilitation Assistant and Personal Trainer

Ms. Gibbons has extensive experience in fitness

and strength training.  She is responsible for exercise training in our rehabilitation unit, working one-on-one to ensure proper execution of the prescribed exercise program. She is particularly talented in her employment of a hands-on approach to reinforce her patient’s motivation, self-esteem and progress.  Ms. Gibbons is a certified personal trainer. 

Yvonne Bassett, Care Management Coordinator

Ms. Yvonne Bassett graduated from Suffolk County Community College with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business.  She has also completed various certificate programs in billing documentation and pain management coding.  She has extensive commercial insurance experience and is a former Senior Claims Adjuster for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Anne M. Dunne, RN, MBA, MSCN 

Ms. Anne Dunne received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the College of New Rochelle and her Master of Business Administration degree from Dowling College. She is a former Critical Care and Assistant Head Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.  Ms. Dunne is a member of the Board of Trustees and Clinical Advisory Committee for the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a member of the Board of Trustees for Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center.  She is certified in case management (CCM) and is a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse (MSCN).  Ms. Dunne is the Administrator of South Shore Neurologic Associates,PC.

Edward J Barnoski, Ph.D

Dr. Barnoski received his Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York – Potsdam, a Master of Science degree from Drexel University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology, emphasis in Neuropsychology, from Drexel University.  Post graduate training included a psychology internship at Hahnemann University Hospital.  He is a former Assistant Professor of Psychology and staff psychologist of the Head Trauma program at the Rusk Institute of  Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center.  Dr. Barnoski is currently in private practice, specializing in neuropsychology.  He serves as a consulting psychologist in the Chronic Pain Options Program.

C:/CPO BROCHURE  revised 04/01/05