What to Expect When Seeing a Pain Doctor in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Differentiating between nerve pain (neuropathic pain), joint pain (articular pain), and muscle pain (myofascial pain) is a critical first step in developing an effective, individualized treatment plan for each patient.

Our evaluation begins with a detailed review of your medical history and a comprehensive physical examination. For nerve pain, our specialists listen for symptoms such as burning, tingling, numbness, or shooting sensations that follow a nerve pathway. Many patients describe this pain as electric or stabbing, and it is often associated with sensitivity to touch or temperature. During your visit, our clinicians carefully assess for decreased sensation, changes in reflexes, or muscle weakness—signs that help us pinpoint nerve involvement.

Joint pain is another common concern. This type of pain often worsens with movement or weight-bearing activities and may be accompanied by swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Our team examines for redness, warmth, or tenderness over the joint, and may recommend imaging studies such as X-rays or MRIs to identify conditions like arthritis or joint damage.

For patients experiencing muscle pain, our specialists focus on symptoms such as aching, cramping, or soreness in specific muscle groups. Muscle pain often intensifies with activity and improves with rest. During your consultation, we check for muscle tenderness, spasms, or trigger points—localized areas that reproduce your pain when pressed.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we believe that integrating your unique pain experience, our hands-on assessment, and the latest diagnostic technology allows us to accurately determine the source of your pain—whether it’s nerve, joint, or muscle related. This precise diagnosis is essential for crafting a treatment plan that delivers real relief and helps you regain your quality of life.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we understand that seeking help for pain is an important step toward improving your quality of life. It’s important to know that you may not experience immediate relief after your very first appointment. During your initial visit, our dedicated team will focus on getting a complete understanding of your medical history, thoroughly assessing your pain, and discussing the most appropriate treatment options for your unique needs.

We may conduct diagnostic tests or a physical examination to help determine the underlying cause of your pain. Using this comprehensive evaluation, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include medications, physical therapy, targeted injections, or other advanced interventions available at our practice.

While certain treatments—such as specific injections—can sometimes provide more rapid relief, others, like medications or physical therapy, may take time to show results. Our team may need to adjust your treatment plan over the course of several visits to find the most effective approach for you.

To help you get the most out of your initial visit, we recommend the following preparations:

Gather Your Medical Records:
Please bring all relevant medical records to your appointment. This includes any previous test results, imaging studies (such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans), and a detailed list of current medications and supplements. This information helps our providers understand your medical history and tailor your care.

Document Your Pain History:
It’s helpful to write down a thorough history of your pain before your visit. Note when your pain began, how it feels, its intensity, what makes it better or worse, and how it impacts your daily activities and sleep quality. This allows our team to assess how your pain affects your life and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Review Past Treatments:
Be prepared to discuss any treatments or therapies you have tried in the past, including medications, physical therapy, injections, or alternative approaches. Let us know whether these methods provided relief or not. This insight helps us avoid repeating unsuccessful treatments and focus on new solutions.

Prepare Your Questions:
We encourage you to make a list of questions or concerns about your pain, treatment options, and the goals you hope to achieve. Our team is committed to open communication and wants to ensure all your concerns are addressed.

Bring Necessary Documentation:
Don’t forget to bring your insurance information and a valid photo ID. Arriving a little early will give you time to complete any required paperwork and settle in before your visit.

Consider Bringing Support:
If you feel nervous or overwhelmed, consider bringing a friend or family member for support. They can help you remember key details discussed during the appointment.

Being organized and proactive empowers you to work with your provider at Comprehensive Pain Specialists to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs.

When pain is not well-controlled, it can severely limit your ability to move, perform daily activities, and fully participate in rehabilitation or physical therapy. This can lead to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and decreased endurance—further contributing to immobility and increased dependence on others.

Our team takes a personalized approach to pain management, utilizing the latest medications, advanced interventional procedures, physical modalities, and integrative therapies. By targeting pain at its source, we help reduce discomfort to a manageable level, making it easier for patients to move, exercise, and engage in the activities that promote healing and restore function. Improved mobility supports muscle strength, flexibility, and better circulation—key factors in maintaining balance, coordination, and preventing further complications like falls.

Chronic pain is often closely linked to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Our comprehensive approach aims to address these challenges as well. When pain is controlled, our patients often experience better mood, improved sleep, and a renewed sense of independence. This holistic improvement enables a more active lifestyle and greater participation in social, recreational, and work activities, contributing to an overall enhanced quality of life.

When you step into care with Dr. Youssef Josephson, D.O., you are choosing a comprehensive, whole-person approach focused on restoring your function and quality of life. Inspired by a personal commitment to alleviate suffering, Dr. Josephson’s practice centers on the modern evolution of pain management: moving beyond temporary fixes to find structural solutions for chronic pain. He aims to relieve pain, restore motion, and support your body’s natural healing process, often minimizing the reliance on opiate medications. As both an early adopter and educator in the field, Dr. Josephson brings a high level of expertise in interventional techniques designed for long-term, lasting relief.

Dr. Josephson specializes in minimally invasive procedures that effectively bridge the gap between conservative care and major surgery. Your personalized treatment plan will be tailored to your specific condition and may include a variety of cutting-edge therapies. For spinal conditions like stenosis and vertebrogenic pain, he utilizes procedures such as the MILD® Procedure, Vertiflex™ Superion®, and the Intracept® Procedure. Beyond the spine, he offers Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) to deactivate pain nerves, and regenerative options like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy to accelerate tissue healing. By focusing on these targeted, advanced interventions, Dr. Josephson ensures your treatment is precise, highly effective, and designed to help you regain your mobility and get back to your life.

For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 1177 PA-315, Dolphin Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. We serve patients from Wilkes-Barre PA, Glen Lyon PA, Dallas PA, Pittston PA, Mountain Top PA, Plymouth PA, and surrounding areas.