Zones of Expertise at Manhattan Pain Medicine
Most clinics focus only on the site of the pain. Our approach is different. We think about pain through distinct Zones of Expertise — specialized areas of focus that allow our team to evaluate your body both specifically and systemically. Each patient’s treatment is informed by this framework so we can align the body’s systems, restore balance, and move toward lasting relief.
A Framework for Zones of Expertise
1. Anatomic & Structural Zones
This zone focuses on the bones, joints, nerves, muscles, fascia, and connective tissue — the physical mechanics of your body. It includes diagnoses like spinal pain, joint dysfunction, disc injuries, and nerve compression, among others.
In this zone, we assess factors such as posture, movement patterns, physical limitations, and localized inflammation.
2. Whole-Body Systemic Zones
Pain doesn’t exist in a vacuum — immune, autonomic, and metabolic systems can all drive chronic pain. This zone of expertise includes autoimmune disorders, hypermobility syndromes (like EDS), POTS, mast cell activation, and fibromyalgia, where dysfunction often spreads across multiple systems.
We look for upstream causes and patterns that may be missed in a symptom-based approach.
3. Physical and Mental Trauma & Pain Psychology
Chronic pain can be shaped or amplified by trauma, both physical and emotional. And emotional pain can trigger pain responses in the body that need a holistic approach to heal. Whether from injury, surgery, or life experience, pain can embed itself in the nervous system, and radiate out to specific physical symptoms. This zone includes medical PTSD, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), chronic post-operative pain, and pain amplification syndromes.
We screen for trauma history, stress response, sleep issues, and other psychological contributors — all of which are essential to real recovery.
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Hip
Wrist
Ankle
Collar Bone
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Common Whole-Body Conditions
- Lupus
- Central Pain Syndrome
- Cancer Pain
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders / Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Endocrine / Hormonal Imbalance
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Metabolic DysfunctionChronic Fatigue
- Neurological Conditions
- More Conditions
Common Trauma Conditions
- Cancer Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) & Neuropathic Pain
- Sports Injuries
- Trauma-Related Pain / Medical PTSD
- Chronic Postoperative Pain
- Pain Amplification Syndromes
- Sleep Disturbance Related to Pain
- Anxiety or Depression-Related Pain
- Central Sensitization
- Chronic Stress Disorders
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Top Trauma Treatments
- Pain Psychology
- Mind-Body Therapy
- Nerve Blocks
- Medication Support
- Sleep Management Protocols
- Neuromodulation
- Stress Regulation Techniques
- Explore treatments
Collaboration Across Zones of expertise
Each provider at MPM brings deep experience in one or more zones of expertise, and we cross-reference within the team to ensure no part of your pain journey is overlooked. If your condition spans more than one zone — as many do — our team works together across specialties. For example:
- A rheumatologist might recognize a pain pattern tied to spine dysfunction and loop in a proceduralist.
- A pain psychologist might refer back to a colleague for evaluation of undiagnosed POTS.
- A proceduralist might recognize immune involvement and bring in a specialist in autoimmunity.
This kind of cross-zone collaboration is built into your care at Manhattan Pain Medicine — not added as an afterthought.
Explore More
Have questions about how your pain might span multiple zones? Ask your provider during your visit — we’re here to connect the dots and help you heal.
You can also ask our PainSmart search engine about your symptoms, treatments or conditions.