Find a Top Pain Management Doctor Near Me – Book an Appointment Instantly

POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS Headache/Migraine: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Advanced – Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Diagnosing and Managing Headaches - Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Botulinum Toxin Pharmacology - Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Multimodal Pharmacotherapy for Pain Management - Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Joint/Extremity/Non-Spinal Injection Course - Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Botulinum Toxin Training - Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

Aashish Jay Kumar, MD, D.ABA, is an interventional pain medicine specialist at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has extensive experience in interventional pain medicine and perioperative pain management. 

Dr. Kumar is a native of Charlotte, NC. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist and has completed fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine. Dr. Kumar is committed to providing compassionate, personalized, and holistic care to all his patients. He strives to create in-depth treatment plans that are aimed at addressing the underlying concern – or the root of the problem, instead of using temporary and ineffective band-aid-like solutions. To ensure his patients have a high-quality experience, Dr. Kumar specializes in offering cutting-edge, innovative treatments, when possible, to all his patients.

• Undergraduate: St. Bonaventure University
• Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Anesthesiology Residency: Wayne State University
• Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship: Children’s Hospital of Michigan
• Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship: Wayne State University

Upon completing his training, Dr. Kumar served as Clinical Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine while operating an interventional pain clinic in Raleigh, NC.

Academic Memberships:

• Pain Society of the Carolinas (PSOC)
• North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS)
• American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)
• American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN)
• American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP)

Innovative and Effective Solutions for Pain

Dr. Kumar does not take the conventional pain management approach and strives to offer his patients the latest techniques. His approach minimizes the need to resort to addictive opioids and other dangerous medications. Specifically, neuromodulation, an expanding area of pain medicine that incorporates an array of non-invasive and minimally invasive therapies, allow patients greater control of their pain without the potential adverse side effects of medications.

• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

Dr. Kumar believes in continuous education and research. Currently, he is studying advancements in neuromodulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. Dr. Kumar believes these types of treatments are the future of interventional pain medicine. Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas is proud to offer the following in addition to SCS and PNS:

• MILD
• Regenerative Medicine (Stem Cells/PRP)
• Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
• Vertiflex

Dr. Kumar also worked as a clinical associate professor at Duke University School of Medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

He treats acute and chronic pain using advanced treatment modalities. Dr. Kumar addresses the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms. 

He co-investigates in research trials involving percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for back pain. He focuses on non-opioid treatments to avoid dangerous addictions.

Dr. Kumar enjoys bike riding, golfing, listening to music, learning about technology, and being a DJ in his free time. He resides in the Ballantyne neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family and their dog Duke. He also likes to work on automobiles, participate in American Indian cultural activities, and spend time with his family. He’s a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. 

Dr. Kumar looks forward to caring for his patients and relieving their discomfort. He compassionately welcomes them to Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas. 

Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and board certified in pain medicine by both the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is currently in private practice in Sugar Land, Texas.

Dr. Lalani graduated as a valedictorian from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. He then completed his residency in neurology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. 

During this time, Dr. Lalani served as chief resident and had the distinct honor of placing first in a nationwide examination of neurologists in training. The Texas Neurological Society also conferred the prestigious Young Investigator Award for his innovative research efforts. 

Dr. Lalani subsequently completed a fellowship in anesthesia and pain medicine at the University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. After his fellowship, he joined the UT MD Anderson’s Department of Anesthesiology as an assistant professor in pain medicine. He has published numerous textbook chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals addressing contemporary issues in pain management and neurology.

His unique background in neurology gives him an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system. He uses these skills to perform detailed patient evaluations and formulate comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans.

Dr. Lalani also has extensive experience in performing and teaching a variety of interventional pain treatments, including nerve blocks, botulinum toxin injections, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency neurotomy, implantable nerve and spinal cord stimulators, as well as intrathecal pumps. Dr. Lalani is skilled in using these procedures judiciously to improve the quality of life for patients with back pain, neck pain, neuropathy, headaches, and more.

As part of his practice, Dr. Lalani works closely with other health care professionals including physical and occupational therapists, acupuncturists, spine surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

Dr. Lalani welcomes new patients to his practice and pledges to help them find pain relief and improvement in their quality of life. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Michael Esposito, MD, founded the Interventional Spine & Pain Institute – located in Vero Beach and Palm Bay, Florida – in order to create a multidisciplinary, patient-centric practice to treat a wide range of acute and chronic pain syndromes. Dr. Esposito is double board-certified in pain medicine and anesthesia by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is an expert in all aspects of pain medicine. 

Dr. Esposito leverages his pain medicine specialty to help patients manage even the most complex pain, treating a wide variety of pain types with comprehensive, personalized, and evidence-based care. He treats chronic and acute pain, including cancer pain, neurological pain, and musculoskeletal pain, while offering each patient a personalized interventional treatment plan that may include tailored physical therapy, medication, and fluoroscopic/ultrasound-guided interventional pain and spine procedures. These procedures include implantable spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulators, radiofrequency ablation, targeted intrathecal drug delivery systems, kyphoplasty, lumbar decompression, and more. 

Dr. Esposito’s journey began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating with Honors, before attending Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. There, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree before moving on to complete his residency in anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at The University of Chicago Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Esposito went on to complete an interventional pain medicine fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he also worked as an anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital serving veterans in the same capacity at the Veterans Affairs West Roxbury Hospital.

With a passion for teaching, Dr. Esposito extends his expertise to others by serving as an Assistant Professor of anesthesiology at the University of Central Florida and is a resource for medical students, residents, and fellows. He also serves as a key board member for several professional societies, regional organizations, and national boards that are dedicated to advancing treatments in the field of pain medicine. He’s also actively involved in research to find new, minimally invasive ways to treat spinal pain and has served as principal investigator, expert faculty, peer reviewer, and lecturer for several clinical research studies, well-respected journals, and at various nation-wide conferences. Dr. Esposito has greatly contributed to the advancements in pain management technology, patient education forums, and improved patient outcomes, garnering numerous accolades, awards, and recognition for his work, reinforcing his tireless dedication and commitment to advancing treatments in the field of pain medicine.

Most importantly, Dr. Esposito cares about YOU! He is committed to bringing you the most advanced medical options tailored specifically to your needs, options that will allow you to move beyond the pain.

Dr. Esposito has called the Atlantic Coast of Florida his home since 2014, and when he’s not helping his patients live pain-free lives, Dr. Esposito enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, outdoor activities on the water, and staying engaged in extracurricular activities in the community. 

Michael Esposito, MD, founded the Interventional Spine & Pain Institute – located in Vero Beach and Palm Bay, Florida – in order to create a multidisciplinary, patient-centric practice to treat a wide range of acute and chronic pain syndromes. Dr. Esposito is double board-certified in pain medicine and anesthesia by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is an expert in all aspects of pain medicine. 

Dr. Esposito leverages his pain medicine specialty to help patients manage even the most complex pain, treating a wide variety of pain types with comprehensive, personalized, and evidence-based care. He treats chronic and acute pain, including cancer pain, neurological pain, and musculoskeletal pain, while offering each patient a personalized interventional treatment plan that may include tailored physical therapy, medication, and fluoroscopic/ultrasound-guided interventional pain and spine procedures. These procedures include implantable spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulators, radiofrequency ablation, targeted intrathecal drug delivery systems, kyphoplasty, lumbar decompression, and more. 

Dr. Esposito’s journey began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating with Honors, before attending Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. There, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree before moving on to complete his residency in anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at The University of Chicago Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Esposito went on to complete an interventional pain medicine fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he also worked as an anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital serving veterans in the same capacity at the Veterans Affairs West Roxbury Hospital.

With a passion for teaching, Dr. Esposito extends his expertise to others by serving as an Assistant Professor of anesthesiology at the University of Central Florida and is a resource for medical students, residents, and fellows. He also serves as a key board member for several professional societies, regional organizations, and national boards that are dedicated to advancing treatments in the field of pain medicine. He’s also actively involved in research to find new, minimally invasive ways to treat spinal pain and has served as principal investigator, expert faculty, peer reviewer, and lecturer for several clinical research studies, well-respected journals, and at various nation-wide conferences. Dr. Esposito has greatly contributed to the advancements in pain management technology, patient education forums, and improved patient outcomes, garnering numerous accolades, awards, and recognition for his work, reinforcing his tireless dedication and commitment to advancing treatments in the field of pain medicine.

Most importantly, Dr. Esposito cares about YOU! He is committed to bringing you the most advanced medical options tailored specifically to your needs, options that will allow you to move beyond the pain.

Dr. Esposito has called the Atlantic Coast of Florida his home since 2014, and when he’s not helping his patients live pain-free lives, Dr. Esposito enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, outdoor activities on the water, and staying engaged in extracurricular activities in the community. 

James W. Stephens, DO, is an anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained interventional pain medicine physician at Interventional Pain Center in Norman, Oklahoma. 

A native of Anadarko, Oklahoma, Dr. Stephens received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU). He attended the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete both his anesthesiology residency and interventional pain fellowship at OU Health Sciences Center. He was lucky enough to spend a large portion of his pain fellowship with private practice pain physicians who volunteered their time to educate him. 

Dr. Stephens enjoys caring for his patients. His goal is to lessen your pain and figure out why you are in pain. He believes that every pain physician must be an expert diagnostician. In order to be that, you not only have to have excellent medical knowledge, but you also have to listen to your patients. 

Dr. Stephens enjoys his specialty and helping patients live happier, healthier lives. He practices the full scope of interventional pain management and has a special interest in minimally invasive surgical treatments for pain as well as injection therapies. Dr. Stephens is a national expert in the minimally invasive treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. He keeps up with the latest treatments for pain, analyzes them, and implements them in his practice when it is the right choice for his patients. Dr. Stephens enjoys all aspects of practicing medicine, especially reading and researching new ways to help his patients. His goal is always to decrease pain and improve function by utilizing the least invasive method possible.

Besides his medical practice, Dr. Stephens is busy at home, where he enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife and three young children. They enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring their favorite getaway, Beavers Bend State Park.

Dr. Stephens owns Interventional Pain Center and is an owner of Physicians Surgical Center.