About ARAI
The story, mission, and people behind Romania's first interventional algology association.
Who We Are and What We Aim to Achieve
ARAI — the Romanian Association of Interventional Algology — is the national organization that brings together specialists dedicated to modern pain therapy. We focus on promoting minimally invasive interventional techniques, bringing European standards to clinical practice in Romania.
We represent the interests of medical specialists nationally and internationally, facilitating access to continuous training, research, and professional networks of excellence. Our mission is to transform patients' quality of life through responsible medical innovation.
Founded for Excellence
For 5 years, ARAI has been promoting clinical excellence, continuing medical education, and research in the field of chronic pain management, bringing together physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Specifically, we organize:
What is Interventional Pain Management?
Interventional Pain Management is a medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain using minimally invasive techniques — nerve blocks, neuromodulation, radiofrequency, spinal endoscopic procedures, and ablations. It offers an effective alternative to classic surgery or long-term chronic medication, focusing on patients whose pain persists in the absence of surgically correctable causes, significantly impacting their quality of life.
A multidisciplinary team centered around the patient
Effective treatment means not only eliminating symptoms but also deeply understanding their causes — which are often multiple and interconnected. Interventional algology brings together specialists from complementary fields who continuously collaborate to choose the solution with the best outcome for each patient.
All procedures are evidence-based and follow the recommendations of international pain management associations — ESRA, WIP, IASP. Pain therapy focuses on patients with persistent painful symptoms for whom conventional treatments have not provided a solution.
Specialties integrated into interventional algology
Interventional algology brings together specialists from complementary fields who continuously collaborate for each patient's optimal outcome.
Types of pain
Patients who benefit from interventional pain management are individuals with chronic pain lasting at least 3 months, for whom conventional treatments have not provided a satisfactory solution. The interventions are minimally invasive, personalized, and designed to reduce pain, accelerate recovery, and restore quality of life.
Main categories of interventional procedures
Interventional pain management covers a wide range of techniques, from day procedures with immediate recovery to long-term implants.
Dr. Ovidiu Palea
In 2017, he became the first Romanian physician accredited by the World Institute of Pain® in interventional pain therapy. He completed his training in the United States, at George Washington University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center, where he specialized in anesthesiology, intensive care, and pain therapy.
Through ARAI, Dr. Palea aims to train generations of doctors and raise the standards of interventional algology practice nationwide, bringing Romania closer to European pain management standards.
„Pain therapy doesn't mean hiding the symptom — it means understanding the mechanism. Every chronic pain patient has a complex story, and the solution comes from collaboration, not from a single specialty."
Competencies
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Conditions and Treatments
Education
Professional Experience
Publications
Member of National and International Medical Scientific Societies
ARAI Board of Directors
Each card contains the full CV. Click for details.
Dr. Anca Ionescu
Dr. Anca Ionescu
Professional Training
- 2008–2014: "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Faculty of General Medicine
- 2018: DXA Certification – Clinician Attestation of Achievement – "Osteoporosis: Essentials of Densitometry, Diagnosis and Management", international course IOF & ISCD – Didier Hans
Clinical Experience
- 2019 – Present: Rheumatology and Pain Management Specialist, Provita Clinic, Bucharest
- 2015 – 2018: Rheumatology Resident, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Sfânta Maria Clinical Hospital, Bucharest
Publications & Research
- 2018: "A rare case of pyoderma gangrenosum with complete soft palate destruction", Case Report, RJR Vol. XXVII, No. 1, 2018 (lead author)
International Affiliations
- Romanian Society of Rheumatology
- Romanian Society of Internal Medicine
Dr. Cătălin Lulciuc
Dr. Cătălin Lulciuc
Professional Training
- 2017 – present: PhD Candidate, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
- 2022: Ablation from A to Z – Strasbourg, Prof. Afshin Gangi, ESIR
- 2019: Reliability in Percutaneous Tumor Ablation – Innsbruck, Austria, Prof. Reto Bale, ESIR
- 2008 – 2014: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
Clinical Experience
- 2024 – present: Consultant in Radiology and Medical Imaging
- 2021 – present: Oncological Interventional Radiologist, NORD Medical Group
- 2019 – present: Specialist and Consultant in Interventional Radiology, Suceava County Hospital
- 2014 – 2018: Resident Physician in Radiology and Medical Imaging, Carol Davila Central Military Hospital, Bucharest
- National Firsts: the first minimally invasive CT-guided lung tumor cryoablation in Romania; the first external biliary drainage procedure using the Rendez-Vous technique in Romania; over 2,500 minimally invasive procedures for oncological diagnosis and treatment
Publications & Research
- PhD Candidate, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
International Affiliations
- 2024 – Fellow and Trainer, ARAI
- 2024 – Member, ECIO
- 2018 – present: Member, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE)
- 2014 – present: Member, ESOR, ESR, SRIM, SNRIR
Dr. Ionuț Branea
Dr. Ionuț Branea
Professional Training
- 2010 – 2016: Doctor of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș
- 2022 – 2023: Pain School International, FIPP training, Budapest, Hungary
- 2019: ECFMG Certificate (Step 1, Step 2 CK and CS, OET)
- 2025: CNCAN Level 2 Permit – operation of fluoroscopy and angiography equipment
- 2023: Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice, World Institute of Pain
Clinical Experience
- 2025 – present: Specialist in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Târgu Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital
- 2022 – 2025: Specialist in Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Provita – NORD, Bucharest
- 2017 – 2021: Resident Physician in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Târgu Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital
- Interventional procedures for chronic pain: neurolysis for oncology patients, epidural and joint injections, according to the FIPP curriculum
Publications & Research
- 2021: "A case report of anesthesia management for an intracranial aneurysm embolization in a patient with atrial septal defect", European Journal of Anaesthesiology
- 2022: "Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated with In-Hospital Mortality in Critical COVID-19 Patients", International Journal of Molecular Sciences
International Affiliations
- ARAI – trainer and speaker at all editions
- Romanian Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy – lecturer at 3 editions
- Magyar Multidiszciplináris Intervenciós Fájdalomterápiás Társaság (MaMIFT) – trainer
- World Institute of Pain
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