Meet Your Pain Doctor Serving Gateway, AR

Dr. Stephen A. Irwin is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. He completed a pain medicine fellowship at UT Southwestern and has practiced interventional pain management since 2008.

At your consultation, Dr. Irwin considers how your symptoms have changed over time, what he finds on examination and whether imaging or records from previous treatments help explain the problem. He’ll discuss the next steps with you, which may include medication management, bracing, a referral for physical therapy or a targeted procedure. Learn more about Dr. Stephen Irwin.

Chronic Pain Conditions We Evaluate

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can make ordinary tasks like loading the car, bending to put on shoes or standing at a workbench uncomfortable. Tell Dr. Irwin whether the pain stays in your lower back, spreads across it or travels into your buttock or leg.

Neck Pain

If you have trouble turning your head while driving or finding a comfortable position to sleep, describe which movements make the pain worse. Mention any pain, numbness or tingling that extends into your shoulder, arm or hand.

Sciatica and Radiating Leg Pain

Sciatica can cause pain that runs from the buttock down the leg, sometimes with tingling or numbness. Note how far the symptoms travel and whether they change when you sit, stand or walk. If back pain and leg pain respond differently to the same movement, mention that too.

Herniated Discs and Spinal Stenosis

A herniated disc or narrowing around spinal nerves can contribute to pain in the back, neck, arms or legs. Dr. Irwin considers imaging findings alongside your exam and symptoms. If your legs begin to hurt after a short walk and sitting helps them settle, describe that pattern during your visit.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Pain from a sacroiliac joint can be felt low in the back or near the buttock. Since symptoms can resemble pain from the hip or lower spine, Dr. Irwin may ask how the pain changes when you climb stairs, shift your weight or get out of a chair.

Joint and Muscle Pain

If you have pain with a specific movement, show Dr. Irwin where you feel it. Pain that starts each time you reach overhead may call for a different evaluation than soreness that develops after you’ve been working for several hours.

Nerve Pain and Pain After Spine Surgery

Dr. Irwin evaluates persistent nerve pain, complex regional pain syndrome and pain that continues or returns after spine surgery. If you’ve had surgery, explain which symptoms improved, which remained and whether the pain changed location afterward.

Explore the painful conditions we treat.

Interventional Pain Management Treatments

Interventional pain management uses targeted procedures to help identify or treat certain sources of pain. If Dr. Irwin recommends a procedure, he’ll explain what it targets and what information to track afterward. Sometimes the most helpful thing to record is whether an activity that usually hurts becomes easier and how long that change lasts.

Epidural Steroid Injections

An epidural steroid injection delivers medication into the epidural space around the spinal nerves. Dr. Irwin may consider this option for certain types of arm or leg pain when the evaluation suggests spinal nerve irritation.

Facet Joint Injections and Medial Branch Blocks

Facet joints are small joints along the spine. When Dr. Irwin suspects they contribute to neck or back pain, a facet joint injection or medial branch block may help evaluate that possibility. After a diagnostic block, he may ask you to note how your symptoms change during movements that usually bring on the pain.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation uses controlled heat to interrupt pain signals carried by selected nerves. It may be considered when diagnostic blocks suggest that those nerves are contributing to your pain.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

A sacroiliac joint injection delivers medication into the joint. Your response can help Dr. Irwin assess whether the joint is involved and guide the discussion at your follow-up.

Nerve Blocks

A nerve block places medication near a selected nerve. Depending on the condition, it may help identify a source of pain or help manage symptoms. Dr. Irwin can explain the purpose of the block and what to report afterward.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation may be an option for some patients with persistent nerve-related pain. Eligible patients can try temporary stimulation and review their response with Dr. Irwin before deciding whether to pursue a permanent device.

Trigger Point Injections

Dr. Irwin may consider a trigger point injection for certain types of localized muscle pain. He’ll assess whether a tender area in the muscle contributes to your symptoms and discuss how an injection might fit into your care.

In-Office Procedures, Sedation and Payment Options

Sedation for Spinal Procedures

Many pain management procedures can be performed at our Rogers office. We offer in-office sedation for most spinal procedures, when appropriate. If you’ve had a difficult experience with a prior injection or have questions about staying comfortable, bring it up during your consultation. Dr. Irwin can explain your options and our staff can give you the instructions for your appointment.

Insurance and Self-Pay

NWA Interventional Pain accepts most insurance plans and offers self-pay options. An office-based procedure may cost less out of pocket than having the procedure at a hospital or surgery center. Your costs depend on the service, where it’s performed and your coverage. Call with your plan information so our staff can help you check network participation, referral requirements and prior authorization.

When to See a Pain Doctor Near Gateway, AR

Consider scheduling an evaluation if pain keeps waking you at night, limits your ability to drive or walk, or makes it difficult to finish tasks you used to manage. A visit may also be helpful if pain returns after an earlier treatment or begins traveling into an arm or leg.

Before your appointment, choose one activity you’d like to get back to. If you used to walk for half an hour and now have to turn around after a few minutes, tell Dr. Irwin what makes you stop and what helps the symptoms ease. That gives you a practical goal to discuss when weighing treatment options.