Scrambler therapy for severe, chronic neuropathic pain uses electrodes placed on the skin to block pain signals without drugs or an invasive procedure. The therapy, using a machine developed by Calmare Therapeutics, sends non-pain information via the electrodes to the nerve fibers that have been receiving pain messages.

Spinal cord stimulation, which modifies or blocks nerve activity that otherwise allows pain signals to reach the brain, has been effective for people with chronic leg or arm pain, failed back surgery syndrome, arachnoiditis (inflammation and scarring of the spinal nerves’ protective layers) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (a progressive disease of the nervous system).

High-intensity light therapy with the HILT stem laser can reduce the debilitating pain of shingles, a viral infection, in sessions that last only 10 or 15 minutes. 

Low-level energy laser is applied directly on the skin or body orifices.

Sphenopalatine ganglion block is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat head and facial pain.

Gene mapping assists in diagnosing and treating complex conditions in patients who are not responding to medications or who have significant side effects.

Other non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatments include:

• Cryotherapy treatment
• Diagnostic discography
• Epidural steroid injection
• Intradiscal electrothermal therapy
• Intrathecal drug delivery
• Joint injections
• Muscle biofeedback
• Nerve blocks
• Neuroablation
• Non-opioid analgesics
• Nucleoplasty/disc decompression
• Pain management coping skills
• Pharmacological opioids
• Radiofrequency (RF) therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Relaxation techniques
• Trigger point injections

The pain management experts at the Ayer Neuroscience Institute work closely with the Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Department. Rehabilitation medicine physicians, called physiatrists, are experts in evaluation, diagnosis and management of neurological musculoskeletal and disabling conditions. Physiatrists provide treatment for a number of impairments including arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, nerve associated pain, stroke and spinal care and traumatic brain injuries.

Rajat Sekhar, MD, director of pain medicine in the Fairfield Region is a board- certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician. He is currently taking part in a rapid trial program with Boston Scientific on radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA interrupts pain signals, such as those coming from irritated facet joints in the spine, genicular nerves in the knee, and femoral and obturator nerves in the hip.

For Hartford HealthCare providers, please select pain management in Epic to make a referral.
For non-Hartford HealthCare providers, please fax referral to appropriate office location.

Kapur, Gaurav
Region: East

Phone: 860.425.5900
Fax: 860.889.8780

East: 111 Salem Turnpike, Route 82, Norwich, CT 06360
Department: BH BOCC PAIN MGMT [104004010]

Knopp, Hans
Region: Hartford

Phone: 860.696.2840
Fax: 860.696.2845

Hartford: 65 Memorial Road, Suite 435, West Hartford, CT 06107
Department: CC HH PAIN TRMT CTR WH

Kost, Johnathan
Region: Hartford / Central

Phone: 
WH 860.696.2840
MCC 203.694.8414

Fax:
WH 860.696.2845
MCC 203.694.7658

Hartford: 65 Memorial Road, Suite 435, West Hartford, CT 06107
Department: CC HH PAIN TRMT CTR WH

Central:
435 Lewis Avenue, Suite 101, Meriden, CT 06451
Department: MMC SPINE & PAIN [102005039]

Macannuco-Winslow, Annette
Region: Central

Phone: 203.694.8414
Fax: 203.694.7685

Central: 435 Lewis Avenue, Suite 101, Meriden, CT 06451
Department: MMC SPINE & PAIN [102005039]

Maddalo, Scott
Region: Fairfield

Phone: 203.226.2490
Fax: 203.226.2491

Fairfield: 300 Post Road West, Suite 101, Westport, CT 06880
Department: MG PAIN MGMT WSTPRT300 [111041002]

Fairfield: 205 Sub Way, Milford, CT 06461
Department: MG PAIN MGMT MILFORD205 [111048007]

Olson, Timothy
Region: East

Phone: 401.348.3865
Fax: 401.596.6368

East: 100 Perkins Farm Drive, Suite 302, Mystic, CT 06355
Department: PAIN MGMT MYST100 [104053005] 

Rhode Island: 35 Wells St, Unit 4, Westerly, RI 02891
Department: MG PAIN MGMT WSTLY35 [104043004]

Ruiz Hurtarte, Juan
Region: East

Phone: 860.572.5440
Fax: 401.596.6368

East: 100 Perkins Farm Drive, Suite 302, Mystic, CT 06355
Department: MG PAIN MGMT MYST100 [104053005]

East: 111 Salem Turnpike, Route 82, Norwich, CT 06360
Department: BH BOCC PAIN MGMT [104004010]

Sekhar, Rajat
Region: Fairfied

Phone: 203.226.2490
Fax: 203.226.2491

Fairfield: 300 Post Road West, Suite 101, Westport, CT 06880
Department: MG PAIN MGMT WSTPRT300 [111041002]

Fairfield: 205 Sub Way, Milford, CT 06461
Department: MG PAIN MGMT MILFORD205 [111048007]

Taboada, Ricardo
Region: Hartford

Phone: 860.696.2840
Fax: 860.696.2845

Hartford: 65 Memorial Road, Suite 435, West Hartford, CT 06107
Department: CC HH PAIN TRMT CTR WH

Tamasdan, Christina
Region: Fairfield

Phone: 203.382.2350
Fax: 203.210.3025

Fairfield: 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606
Department: MG PAIN MGMT BRPT2800 [111014002]

Your first appointment will be a consultation to begin the process of treating your chronic pain. This visit will include a comprehensive medical history. Please bring a current list of medications as well as any previous imaging and medical records. The physician will conduct an assessment and make a recommendation for treatment.