Northern Light Interventional Pain Management

“They are searching out ways to lessen or end my pain. They have explained to me each thing every step of the way. I did ask Dr Mahmoud to give me warning before an injection and he's been very careful to do so, again, explaining to me each step he was taking. When a person gets here, most likely they have really bad pain and that will not necessarily go away immediately. I can be patient and wait for the proper procedure to help. Yes, it's frustrating that I have to wait for the insurance company to approve of upcoming procedures and I have to wait my turn for each procedure, stretching out the time before the pain procedure can be done. But, that is not the fault of Dr Mahmoud and his excellent staff. It has to do with insurance companies and many people leaving medical positions during Covid and nor yet being replaced. It also has to do with Maine's large elderly population who have many pain issues. NL Interventional Pain Management are doing superb work.”

— Thrifty Clancy

“As a medical doctor, a trained physician, I listen carefully to my providers. When something isn't clear I speak up right away. As can happen, bone on bone hip arthritis pain came on suddenly for me 2 years ago during chemotherapy. After much PT and imaging I was referred to pain intervention with hopes for some temporary abatement of pain. Surgery was the most desired treatment as it would provide a long term solution. So my first and only visit with a pain management clinical provider seemed good with referral for steroid injection and orthopedic surgery, however, my spouse and I are now being gaslighted. No one said a steroid injection would delay by 3 months minimum the much needed and desired hip replacement surgery the severity of which was known by all. Nor was it said that this would also introduce an increased risk of infection even still at 3 months out. The orthopedic surgeon I saw two days after the injection was livid that these people hadn't yet gotten it straightened out. The patient needs to be informed that they need to see ortho first in severe cases as surgery could have already been done and recovery well on its way in just a couple weeks. Orthopedists can also provide steroid injection. Now I wait 3 months in pain with chronic inflammation and debilitating quality of life. After many attempts to talk with someone at pain intervention, someone other than the MA, I was sent a letter stating that basically, yes they did tell me about the 3 month delay because the box on the computer report is checked off and that's that. As an aside, the same physicians clinical note for this visit presents in detail the severity of lumbar scoliosis seen on MRI while her physical exam said my spine was completely normal without deformity at all ! In clinical practice I have used electronic medical records software. Clicking enough boxes ensures full insurance reimbursement. It doesn't matter if it's congruent or correct. I'm a 3 year survivor of an aggressive breast cancer. Managing inflammation is key. The pain management providers took no consideration of that or my adamant desire for surgery as soon as possible. They didn't listen to me or my spouse who is a 20 year Navy vet and retired Recreational Therapist with a four year college degree. She's really upset feeling that they're essentially calling her a liar. The delay for surgery was absolutely not discussed. Seriously broken trust. There's a known and ongoing problem with the Northern Light Pain Intervention system/protocol and the pain intervention folks are taking it personally. They're refusing to speak with me and hear what I offer as a solution. They are behaving like unprofessional, rural hospital administrators who care less about patients and most about keeping their mill of steroid injections running at top speed. Technical skills are great. They got the needle in the joint but there's little relief for this severity of eroding bone on bone arthritis. Their skills, even caring to help patients get real pain relief, these are atrocious. Beware of what they're not telling you or what may be documented that never happened.”

— Mary Callison

“The worst place to send a patient. I saw Dr. Mahmood, he made promises, said if the shot didn't work the first time he would do it again in a few weeks. They were rude, he and his nurse sent me out with my leg numb from hip to toes. No wheelchair, no escort nothing. Then instead of a follow up appointment I get a letter discharging me. He was full of himself and the needle went too deep causing no pain relief but made me a fall risk, then they discharge me! I would NEVER recommend this incompetent office to anyone!!”

— Frank Fearon

“Horrible service and care. Picked up 86-year-old father, who was in pain, and drove 2.5 hours to get there. Told that computers were down, so can't be seen because no way to view image and medical records. Told recepionist that I had copies of image on disc, and copy of medical records. Receptionist told Dr. Ammar Mahmoud that, then he said he had no way of documneting visit with computers down. Informed receptionist that documentation could be done via writing it on paper, then transposing to comuter when they came up. This is a Medicare Continuity of Operations (COOP) requirement. Was told Dr. Mahmoud was not willing to do that. Then asked to stay for a bit, to see if the computers came back up, because father was in pain. Receptionist said no, Dr Mahnoud had already cancelled all of his appointments and gone for the day. Had 2.5 hour drive to get father (still in pain) home. I do NOT recommend this place. They seem to do only the bare minimum and seem to have no regard for patient well-being.”

— Tom Terrific