Dr. Tochi Umunakwe, MD
Fellowship-Trained, Double Board-Certified Pain Management Specialist in El Paso, Texas
Advanced, Compassionate Care for Chronic Pain, Spine Conditions, Nerve Pain and Cancer-Related Pain
Living with persistent pain can affect nearly every part of your life. It can interfere with your ability to work, sleep, exercise, care for your family and participate in the activities that once brought you joy.
Dr. Tochi Umunakwe is a fellowship-trained interventional pain management physician and the Founder and Medical Director of Medway Pain Center in El Paso, Texas. She is double board-certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology and provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for adults living with chronic pain, spine-related pain, nerve pain, joint pain and cancer-related pain.
Patients searching for an experienced El Paso pain doctor, pain management specialist in El Paso or interventional pain physician can receive care at Medway Pain Center’s East El Paso and West & Central El Paso locations.
Meet Dr. Tochi Umunakwe
Dr. Tochi Umunakwe founded Medway Pain Center to provide comprehensive pain management in an environment where patients feel heard, respected and included in decisions about their care.
Chronic pain is rarely a simple problem. Two people with similar imaging findings may experience pain very differently. Pain may also be influenced by previous injuries, surgery, nerve damage, inflammation, underlying medical conditions, sleep disruption, reduced mobility and emotional stress.
For this reason, Dr. Umunakwe does not believe that every patient should receive the same treatment. She carefully evaluates each patient’s symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, imaging findings and personal goals before recommending a plan of care.
Her goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis or perform a procedure. It is to help patients understand what may be causing their pain, explain the available treatment options and identify an appropriate path forward.
Every treatment plan is developed around the individual patient.
Education and Advanced Medical Training
Dr. Umunakwe earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She subsequently completed her anesthesiology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she developed extensive experience in perioperative medicine, pain control, procedural care and the safe administration of anesthesia.
Following residency, she completed advanced fellowship training in Pain Management at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her combined background in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine gives her a detailed understanding of pain pathways, medication safety, image-guided procedures and the complex relationship between the nervous system and chronic pain.
Doctor of Medicine
Residency in Anesthesiology
Fellowship in Pain Management
Board Certification
Why Fellowship Training and Double Board Certification Matter
Why Fellowship Training in Pain Medicine Matters
Pain management is a highly specialized area of medicine. After completing medical school and an anesthesiology residency, Dr. Umunakwe pursued additional fellowship training focused specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic and cancer-related pain.
Fellowship training provides experience with image-guided procedures and advanced therapies that may not be routinely offered in a primary care setting.
Double Board Certification in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology
Dr. Umunakwe is board-certified in both Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology. Board certification reflects advanced specialty training and successful completion of professional certification requirements.
Her dual certification supports a comprehensive approach to both diagnosis and treatment in interventional pain management.
A Patient-Centered Philosophy of Pain Care
Your Pain Is Personal. Your Treatment Should Be Too.
Pain is not defined only by an MRI, X-ray or diagnosis. It is also defined by what it prevents you from doing.
For one patient, success may mean being able to walk through the grocery store without stopping. For another, it may mean returning to work, sleeping through the night, exercising again or spending time with grandchildren.
Dr. Umunakwe believes that understanding these personal goals is an essential part of treatment planning.
- Where the pain is located
- How the pain began
- Whether it travels into the arms or legs
- What makes it better or worse
- How it affects sleep, mobility and daily activities
- Which treatments have already been attempted
- Whether previous procedures or surgeries helped
- The patient’s medical history and current medications
- The patient’s individual treatment goals
Patients should understand why a treatment is being recommended, what it is intended to accomplish and what reasonable alternatives may be available.
Conditions Treated by Dr. Umunakwe
Dr. Umunakwe treats a broad range of acute, chronic and complex pain conditions. Treatment recommendations depend on the suspected source of the pain, its severity, previous treatment history and the patient’s overall health.
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Sciatica and Pinched Nerves
Spinal Stenosis
Herniated and Bulging Discs
Facet-Joint Pain and Arthritis
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Neuropathic Pain
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Vertebral Compression Fractures
Cancer-Related Pain
Joint and Musculoskeletal Pain
Fibromyalgia
Other conditions treated at Medway Pain Center include: occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic pelvic pain, phantom limb pain, diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, shoulder pain, knee pain, myofascial pain and musculoskeletal pain.
Advanced Pain Management Procedures
Dr. Umunakwe offers diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for selected patients after a complete evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on the suspected source of pain, medical history, imaging findings and prior response to care.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Kyphoplasty
Epidural Steroid Injections
Medial Branch Blocks and Radiofrequency Ablation
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
Nerve Blocks
Joint Injections
Trigger-Point Injections
Intrathecal Drug-Delivery Systems
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is an opportunity to examine the history of your pain and develop a clearer understanding of what may be causing it.
The clinical team may review
- When and how the pain began
- The location and pattern of symptoms
- Previous injuries or surgeries
- Current and previous medications
- Physical therapy or chiropractic care
- Previous injections or procedures
- MRI, CT, X-ray or other imaging
- Existing medical conditions
- How pain affects daily activities
- Your goals for treatment
Patients should bring
- A current medication list
- Relevant imaging reports or discs
- Previous procedure records
- Surgical records when applicable
- Insurance information
- Identification
- Any referral or authorization required by the insurance plan
A physical examination may also be performed to evaluate strength, sensation, reflexes, mobility and areas of tenderness. The goal of the first appointment is not to rush into a procedure. It is to identify the likely pain source and develop an appropriate, medically responsible plan.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Tochi Umunakwe
Fellowship-Trained Expertise
Double Board Certification
Respectful, Efficient Clinic Visits
Advanced Minimally Invasive Options
Individualized Treatment Planning
Two El Paso Locations
Care for Veterans and Military Families
Education and Communication
Serving El Paso and the Borderland Community
El Paso is a diverse community made up of families, working professionals, veterans, active-duty service members, retirees and individuals from across the Borderland.
Dr. Umunakwe established Medway Pain Center to provide advanced pain management close to home. Patients should not have to leave El Paso to be evaluated for many of the minimally invasive and advanced treatments used in modern pain medicine.
The practice works collaboratively with primary care physicians, surgeons, oncologists, neurologists, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals when coordinated care is needed.
By offering two locations, Medway Pain Center seeks to make specialized pain care more accessible to patients throughout El Paso and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of doctor is Dr. Tochi Umunakwe?
Dr. Tochi Umunakwe is a fellowship-trained interventional pain management physician. She is double board-certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology and serves as the Founder and Medical Director of Medway Pain Center in El Paso.
When should I see a pain management specialist?
Consider seeing a pain management specialist when pain persists despite initial treatment, interferes with sleep or daily activity, travels into an arm or leg, causes burning or numbness, or continues after surgery or an injury.
What is the difference between a pain management physician and an orthopedic surgeon?
A pain management physician specializes in diagnosing and treating pain using medication, rehabilitation strategies, image-guided injections and advanced minimally invasive procedures. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in surgical and nonsurgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The two specialties often work together.
Does seeing a pain specialist mean I will receive an injection?
No. A procedure is recommended only when it is medically appropriate and reasonably connected to the suspected source of pain.
Does Dr. Umunakwe treat back and neck pain?
Yes. Dr. Umunakwe evaluates chronic back pain, neck pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, facet-joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain and other spine-related conditions.
Does Dr. Umunakwe perform spinal cord stimulation?
Yes. Dr. Umunakwe evaluates appropriate patients for spinal cord stimulation and guides qualifying patients through the temporary trial and permanent implant process.
Who may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation may be considered for selected patients with chronic neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, persistent pain after spine surgery or other qualifying conditions. Candidacy depends on the diagnosis, medical history, previous treatment, psychological evaluation and response to the temporary trial.
Does Dr. Umunakwe perform kyphoplasty?
Yes. Dr. Umunakwe provides kyphoplasty for appropriately selected patients with painful vertebral compression fractures. An examination and imaging review are necessary.
Does Dr. Umunakwe treat cancer-related pain?
Yes. Dr. Umunakwe evaluates and treats pain caused by cancer and cancer treatment. Cancer pain treatment is individualized and may be coordinated with the patient’s oncology team.
Can chronic pain be treated without surgery?
Many chronic pain conditions can be treated without major surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include physical rehabilitation, medication management, epidural injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation or other minimally invasive treatments.
Do I need a referral?
Referral requirements depend on your insurance plan. Some plans permit patients to schedule directly, while others require a referral or prior authorization.
Does Medway Pain Center accept insurance?
Medway Pain Center works with many major insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan, procedure and authorization requirements.
Is Medway Pain Center accepting new patients?
Yes. Medway Pain Center is accepting new patients at its El Paso locations.
Will I have a long wait to see Dr. Umunakwe?
Medway Pain Center respects each patient’s time and works hard to keep clinic visits moving efficiently. While wait times can vary depending on patient needs and the clinic schedule, the team tries to minimize unnecessary waiting. Dr. Umunakwe is caring and attentive, and patients can expect her to listen carefully, understand their concerns and help guide a thoughtful care plan.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring identification, insurance information, a current medication list, relevant imaging and records from previous pain treatments or surgeries.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Pain Management
You do not have to allow chronic pain to define every part of your life.
Whether you are living with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, neuropathy, cancer-related pain, a vertebral compression fracture or persistent pain after surgery, a comprehensive evaluation can help clarify your options.
Dr. Tochi Umunakwe provides fellowship-trained, double board-certified pain management care focused on reducing pain, restoring function and helping patients move forward with greater confidence.
Medway Pain Center is accepting new patients at its East El Paso and West & Central El Paso locations.
Call Medway Pain Center or request an appointment online to begin your evaluation with Dr. Tochi Umunakwe.
Se habla español.