Mehrdad Michael Massumi, MD in Baltimore: Interventional Pain Management with Board Certification in Anesthesiology

Mehrdad Michael Massumi is a board-certified anesthesiologist offering interventional pain management in Baltimore, with a focus on minimally invasive procedures for spine, joint, and neuropathic pain. His practice represents the procedural end of pain medicine, distinct from primary care pain assessment or physical therapy, and serves patients seeking targeted relief when conservative treatment has plateaued.

What the practice actually is

Massumi's practice centers on interventional procedures: epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, nerve blocks, and other image-guided treatments designed to reduce pain without opioids or major surgery. Board certification in anesthesiology means he has training in pain physiology and procedural sedation, credentials not held by every pain management provider in Baltimore. The scope is outpatient; complex spine surgery or inpatient rehabilitation falls to other specialists.

Services and typical costs

Epidural steroid injections, among the most common procedures, typically cost $800 to $1,500 out-of-pocket without insurance, though insurance coverage varies widely. Facet joint injections run similar ranges. Diagnostic nerve blocks and more complex procedures may fall higher. Insurance acceptance and copay responsibility depend on the individual plan; call ahead to verify coverage for your specific diagnosis and procedure code. Many practices, including pain management clinics, quote cash prices online, but final billing often hinges on imaging codes and anesthesia fees bundled separately.

How this compares to other Baltimore pain management options

Baltimore has three broad tiers of pain management: primary care physicians offering basic pain assessment and medication management; physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists who combine injection skills with therapy protocols; and interventional pain specialists. Massumi's anesthesiology board certification places him in the procedural category. Competitors include Johns Hopkins-affiliated pain medicine physicians and independent practitioners scattered across Towson, Canton, and Pikesville. The Johns Hopkins Pain Management Center (downtown and suburban locations) offers greater infrastructure for complex cases but longer waitlists; Massumi's private practice model typically has shorter scheduling gaps. Choice depends on urgency: if you need an injection within two weeks, a private practice may move faster; if your diagnosis is complex or involves comorbidities requiring hospital-level oversight, Johns Hopkins may be safer.

Who this fits and who it does not

Massumi suits patients with localized spine or joint pain who have tried physical therapy and conservative management without sufficient relief. Those with radiculopathy (nerve pain down the leg or arm), facet-mediated back pain, or joint arthritis find targeted injections useful. The practice does not suit patients seeking opioid medication management alone or those requiring surgery. Patients who cannot tolerate procedural sedation or have bleeding disorders should disclose these upfront. Those unable to travel to appointments or needing real-time crisis pain management (versus scheduled procedures) should seek an emergency department or primary care physician instead.

What the first visit involves

Initial appointments include a medical history focused on pain onset, prior imaging results, and medication use. Bring any MRI or CT reports; Massumi will review imaging to confirm the injection target is anatomically viable. If proceeding same-day, mild sedation may be offered, though some procedures are done under local anesthesia alone. The procedure itself takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on complexity. Plan for a recovery period (usually one to two hours) before discharge; arrange a driver if sedation is used. Follow-up typically occurs at two weeks to assess pain relief and plan next steps, whether additional injections or alternate treatment.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Confirm hours and location directly with the office; pain management clinics sometimes operate limited afternoon slots to accommodate procedural schedules. Most independent practices in Baltimore accept major insurance plans but require insurance cards and photo ID at check-in. Parking at an outpatient medical office is typically free or validated. Bring any recent imaging on disc if you have it; digital transfer from a hospital takes time and sometimes requires a separate records request. Schedule well ahead if you need a specific time; interventional pain clinics often have backlogs during winter months.

Massumi's practice fills a gap in Baltimore's pain care landscape for patients who have maxed out conservative therapy and want to avoid systemic pain medication, particularly those needing procedural expertise without the delays of a major hospital system.