Finding the right specialist for chronic back, nerve, or joint pain can be challenging. Patients need a doctor who understands their condition and can provide suitable treatment options.
This guide gives you a complete list of 10 pain management specialists in Rhode Island, covering different areas of pain medicine, spine care, rehabilitation, and interventional treatment.
This is an informational list, not an objective ranking. Always check a specialist’s current qualifications, treatment areas, location, insurance, and availability.
How We Selected These Pain Management Specialists
We selected these specialists using publicly available information about their training, experience, clinical roles, and areas of pain care, including:
- Pain medicine and rehabilitation expertise
- Spine, musculoskeletal, and chronic pain experience
- Interventional and non-surgical treatments
- Hospital, academic, or professional roles
This is an informational list, not an objective ranking. Patients should verify current credentials and discuss their needs with a qualified specialist.
List of 10 Best Pain Management Specialists in Rhode Island
Here is a complete list of 10 pain management specialists in Rhode Island, covering different areas of pain care:
- Dr. Blanki Cherubini, M.D. – Cranston, RI
- Dr. Alexios G. Carayannopoulos – Providence, RI
- Dr. Ross Barker – Providence/Newport, RI
- Dr. Todd Handel – Providence, RI
- Dr. Laert Rusha – Newport, RI
- Dr. Justin Li – Providence, RI
- Dr. Timothy Olson – Westerly, RI
- Dr. Su Gym Kim – Providence, RI
- Dr. Keith-Austin Scarfo – Providence, RI
- Dr. Kyle Silva – Rhode Island
Detailed information about each specialist is provided below.
1. Dr. Blanki Cherubini, M.D. – Cranston, RI
Dr. Blanki Cherubini, M.D. is regarded as a leading pain management specialist in Rhode Island, with a strong background in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Her training and clinical experience include musculoskeletal and spine-related pain, sports medicine, diagnostic ultrasound, electrodiagnostic medicine, and ultrasound-guided injections.
Her areas of care include:
- Musculoskeletal and spine-related pain
- Joint and sports-related conditions
- Ultrasound-guided injections
- Non-surgical and regenerative pain treatments
She also offers options such as PRP and shockwave therapy for selected muscle, joint, and spine-related conditions.
Dr. Cherubini practices at the Pain Center of Rhode Island, serving patients in the Cranston area.
2. Dr. Alexios G. Carayannopoulos – Providence, RI
Dr. Alexios G. Carayannopoulos is a highly experienced pain medicine and rehabilitation physician in Providence.
He serves as Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Brown University Health and is board-certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.
His clinical expertise includes:
- Interventional spine and pain care
- Spinal cord stimulation and neuromodulation
- Musculoskeletal and chronic pain treatment
- Rehabilitation for complex spine conditions
He also serves as a professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and has held professional leadership roles in pain medicine and rehabilitation.
3. Dr. Ross Barker – Providence/Newport, RI
Dr. Ross Barker is an experienced anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician with the Norman Prince Spine Institute.
He serves as Director of Pain Management at Newport Hospital and is an assistant professor of neurosurgery at Brown University.
His clinical background includes:
- Chronic spine and musculoskeletal pain
- Interventional pain procedures
- Anesthesiology and pain medicine
- Persistent and complex pain conditions
Dr. Barker completed pain medicine fellowship training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and anesthesiology residency at Tufts University.
He is affiliated with Newport Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital.
4. Dr. Todd Handel – Providence, RI
Dr. Todd Handel is a well-established physician in spine, sports, and pain care in Providence.
His practice focuses on helping patients manage musculoskeletal conditions through non-surgical and rehabilitation-based approaches.
His areas of expertise include:
- Back pain and spinal conditions
- Sports and musculoskeletal injuries
- Non-surgical pain treatment
- Rehabilitation and functional recovery
His clinical approach combines Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with pain interventions, helping patients improve movement and manage conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, bursitis, and tendinitis.
5. Dr. Laert Rusha – Newport, RI
Dr. Laert Rusha is a fellowship-trained pain medicine physician with the Norman Prince Spine Institute at Rhode Island and Newport Hospitals.
He is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and completed fellowship training at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
His clinical focus includes:
- Chronic spine and musculoskeletal pain
- Interventional pain procedures
- Neuromodulation and spinal procedures
- Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks
His experience makes him particularly relevant for patients seeking specialized care for persistent back pain, sciatica, and other spine-related conditions.
6. Dr. Justin Li – Providence, RI
Dr. Justin Y. Li is an anesthesiology and pain medicine physician associated with the Norman Prince Spine Institute and Brown University Health.
He also serves as an assistant professor of neurosurgery.
His clinical background includes:
- Pain medicine and anesthesiology
- Interventional pain treatment
- Spine-related pain management
- Multidisciplinary spine care
Dr. Li’s work combines pain medicine with comprehensive spine care, providing patients with access to specialized evaluation and treatment within the Brown University Health system.
7. Dr. Timothy Olson – Westerly, RI
Dr. Timothy Olson is an experienced interventional pain medicine physician practicing in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Publicly available provider information indicates that he has more than two decades of experience in pain medicine.
His clinical focus includes:
- Chronic and persistent pain
- Interventional pain procedures
- Facet joint injections
- Epidural steroid injections
His long-standing experience in interventional pain care provides patients in the Westerly area with access to specialized treatment options for persistent pain.
8. Dr. Su Gym Kim – Providence, RI
Dr. Su Gym Kim is a pain medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician with experience in interventional spine care.
He has also worked with the Comprehensive Spine Center at Rhode Island Hospital.
His background includes:
- Chronic spine and musculoskeletal pain
- Interventional spine treatment
- Minimally invasive pain procedures
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Kim is board-certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with residency and fellowship training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center.
9. Dr. Keith-Austin Scarfo – Providence, RI
Dr. Keith-Austin Scarfo is a specialist in pain medicine and spine care and serves as Medical Director of the Norman Prince Spine Institute.
He is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Brown University.
His expertise includes:
- Chronic and complex pain
- Spine and musculoskeletal conditions
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Intrathecal pump therapy
His professional background also includes leadership roles in pain medicine and experience directing pain management programs.
10. Dr. Kyle Silva – Rhode Island
Dr. Kyle Silva is an osteopathic physician with a focus on interventional pain medicine in Rhode Island.
His professional background includes involvement with the Rhode Island Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.
His areas of focus include:
- Interventional pain management
- Persistent and chronic pain
- Spine, joint, and nerve-related conditions
- Targeted pain procedures
His professional involvement in interventional pain medicine adds to his background in providing specialized options for patients managing persistent pain.
Comparison of These Pain Management Specialists
Each specialist has a different clinical background and area of focus. This comparison highlights their main expertise and location to help patients narrow down their options.
| Specialist | Location | Specialty | Key Focus |
| Dr. Blanki Cherubini, M.D. | Cranston | PM&R & Pain | Spine, joints, PRP |
| Dr. Alexios G. Carayannopoulos | Providence | Pain Medicine | Spine, neuromodulation |
| Dr. Ross Barker | Providence/Newport | Pain Medicine | Chronic pain, spine |
| Dr. Todd Handel | Providence | PM&R | Spine, sports injuries |
| Dr. Laert Rusha | Newport | Pain Medicine | Spine, nerve blocks |
| Dr. Justin Li | Providence | Pain Medicine | Interventional spine care |
| Dr. Timothy Olson | Westerly | Interventional Pain | Injections, chronic pain |
| Dr. Su Gym Kim | Providence | PM&R & Pain | Spine, joint pain |
| Dr. Keith-Austin Scarfo | Providence | Pain Medicine | Complex pain, SCS |
| Dr. Kyle Silva | Rhode Island | Interventional Pain | Spine, joints, nerves |
Common Conditions Treated by Pain Management Specialists in Rhode Island
Pain specialists commonly evaluate and treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Sciatica and nerve pain
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions
- Neuropathic pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Persistent pain after an injury or surgery
The exact treatment depends on the underlying cause of pain.
A specialist may recommend physical therapy, medication, injections, nerve blocks, rehabilitation, radiofrequency procedures, neuromodulation, or other treatments.
How to Choose the Right Pain Management Specialist in Rhode Island
Choosing the right pain specialist depends on your condition, treatment needs, and personal preferences.
Consider these key factors:
- Match Their Expertise to Your Condition: Look for experience with your specific problem, such as back pain, nerve pain, arthritis, or sports injuries.
- Check Qualifications and Experience: Review board certification, fellowship training, and clinical experience in pain medicine.
- Review Treatment Options: Ask about medications, rehabilitation, injections, nerve procedures, or neuromodulation that may suit your needs.
- Consider Location and Insurance: Check the clinic location, hospital affiliation, insurance coverage, and any referral requirements.
- Discuss Your Goals: During your consultation, explain your symptoms, previous treatments, daily limitations, and treatment goals.
Cost of Pain Management in Rhode Island
Pain management costs in Rhode Island vary by provider, treatment, and insurance coverage.
As a general guide, an initial pain management consultation may range from $100 to $300 without insurance.
Other costs may include:
- Consultations: Initial and follow-up visits.
- Testing: Imaging and diagnostic tests.
- Treatments: Injections, therapy, medications, and procedures.
- Insurance Costs: Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Before treatment, ask the provider about expected charges and check whether your insurance requires prior authorization.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right pain management specialist in Rhode Island starts with understanding your condition and the type of care you need. Some physicians focus heavily on interventional spine procedures, while others combine pain medicine with rehabilitation, physical medicine, or regenerative approaches.
The specialists featured in this guide have different training backgrounds and clinical interests. Use the list as a starting point, then verify current credentials, availability, insurance participation, and treatment options directly with the physician or medical center.
Most importantly, discuss your symptoms with a qualified pain management professional before deciding on a treatment plan. The appropriate approach depends on the cause of your pain, your medical history, and your individual treatment goals.
