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Essentials Related To Intercostal Nerve Block!!

In order to help relieve the chest pain, intercostal nerve block is said to be as the best medication that can treat the herpes zoster infection, the shingles and/or any surgical incision. Under the rib, the steroid medication and local anaesthesia is injected in order to reduce the inflammation as well as the chronic pain.

What is the purpose of intercostals nerve block?

To alleviate the chest pain, intercostals nerve block injection is used in order to reduce the inflammation or lessen the swelling around the nerve area. The injection will help reduce the inflammation as well as the irritation in the surrounding area. In case you have had a chest surgery and you are feeling pain in the chest scar, then the intercostals nerve block would be the best option for you.

How the process goes as:

  • You will be asked to lie on your stomach
  • With some antiseptic and a sterile drape, your mid and lower back is cleaned
  • Your skin will then be treated with anaesthesia and numbing medicine
  • The target of the needle will be easily identified with the help of x-ray guidance
  • In order to block the signals from reaching the brain, a local anaesthesia and a steroid injection will be administered closely to the nerve
  • With the help of the cortisone, the inflammation is reduced to a greater extent thereby reducing the irritation in that area
  • After this insertion the needle is then flushed and a dressing is applied onto the affected area.

Resume Work after the Procedure

Getting treated with a renowned specialist whose experience would be well enough to carry out the procedure without any complications will increase the possibility of resuming your work from the next day.

The effectiveness of the procedure

Some patients have reported the pain relief immediately after the intercostals nerve block procedure. However the pain may come back at the time when the anaesthesia wears off. In a period of two to three days, you will be able to witness the long term relief.

For how much longer your pain will be at relief varies from person to person. Some have to go for periodic injections and for some the pain relief lasts for several months.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from chest pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Here Is the Detailed Info About Vertebroplasty!!

Slowly and gradually as the people start to age they are most commonly struck by osteoporosis. Known as the loss of bone mass or resulting in weakened bones; if someone is going through this trouble that is if osteoporosis has developed in their spine then the bone loss can make the vertebrae prone to the spinal compression fractures. In order to treat this type of situation vertebroplasty has been proved to be the best procedure. Adding to this if the SCF that is the spinal compression fractures in case are left untreated then they can worsen and further result in chronic back and hip pain.

With Vertebroplasty, the patients are able to ease their SCF pain and restore their normal height as well as posture.

How this technique is Helpful

According to studies it has been seen that if a fracture occurs then there are chances of further fractures in the future. The more the vertebral body becomes weak, the greater are the chances of a fracture. Moreover, the patients of spinal compression fractures have to suffer from prolonged back pain, limited movement and also are unable to complete their routinely tasks.

In vertebroplasty, a small needle is placed into the damaged bone. With the help of special X-ray equipment the doctor places the needle in the desired path. When the needle is placed in the right position, bone cement is injected into the bone in order to secure it. Likewise, several crushed bones are treated similarly. For each bone the same process is repeated.

How much the Procedure will take?

On an outpatient basis, vertebroplasty is performed which takes almost one hour to complete. The patient opting this process will recover shortly.

What are the results of the Vertebroplasty Procedure?

Most of the patients, who have undergone this process, experience pain relief and a condition much better within 48 hours. Adding to this, they are able to resume their normal activity within 24 hours. Without surgery or prolonged recovery, vertebroplasty would be able to resolve pain, stabilize fracture, and help in the reduction of spinal deformity.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from spinal compression fractures or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Top Remedies For Headache Relief!!

There are numerous contributing that can lead you to a chronic headache. Perhaps, you had a very hectic day today full of projects and meeting the deadlines, you are a housewife but there are a couple of chores that you have lined up in order to complete for the betterment of the inhabitants there, or you might be belonging to any other occupation that makes you in the end of the day tired with acute headache that runs you out of focus and accelerates your inner desire of just resting and resting.

It is recommended that in the case the pain persists, you must take it as an indication to pay a visit to a pain management specialist. But initially, when you feel irritated you must take care of your own self and follow some remedies who knows will work perfectly and cure your pain at the earliest.

Here Are The Remedies

For headache pain relief, this is what you can opt for, to get well soon fit and healthy:

Thyme & Rosemary Oil

On your temple or forehead, put a drop of rosemary or thyme oil and rub the skin gently for several minutes. The oil of rosemary and thyme consists of a substance that acts as an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen.

Magnesium Intake

According to a research it has been said that the people who suffer from chronic headaches should include magnesium intake as they only become prone to headache as a result of magnesium deficiency. 400 milligrams chelated magnesium is recommended by the experts that will help fight the acute pain.

Gingerroot for Tea

As ginger inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, it is said to fight greatly against chronic headaches as well as migraines. Hence, you must make a homemade gingerroot tea, which will not only eliminate the nauseatic feeling you experience while in pain but also alleviate the pain itself.

Brew Chamomile Tea

In case ginger is not available at the time when you experience headache you can always opt of the option of the chamomile tea. Use one chamomile tea bag in one cup of boiled water and you will definitely feel alleviation in pain as well as the utmost relaxation.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from headache or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Facet Joint Injections – An Overview!!

Facet joint pain is said to be a chronic pain that is felt between the two vertebrae of the spine. The facet joints are said to be the joints in your spine with the help of which your back becomes flexible and enables you to bend and twist. The cause of this chronic facet joint pain is said to be arthritis, some injury or degeneration.

For two Purposes the process of facet joint injections is carried out. Let’s explore the two.

Facet Joint Injection Purpose!

To see whether the pain is coming from the facet joints or not, it is first used as a diagnostic test.

  • The inflammation and pain caused as a result of various spine conditions is treated with the help of this procedure.
  • The aim of these facet joint injections is to provide relief from acute pain and resume the normal routinely activities as soon as possible.

What is a Facet Joint Injection?

A facet joint injection consists of a corticosteroid and an anaesthetic agent. The affected area or into the facet joint the drugs are delivered, also into the inside part of the joint or the tissue around which the joint capsule is surrounded by.

In case you are a patient suffering from the inflamed joints described below. Then facet injections will be quite helpful for you:

Sciatica

Pain that starts from the sciatic nerve and goes along the buttocks and then down the legs is known as sciatica. The cause of this chronic pain is usually described to be the compression of the 5th lumbar or 1st sacral spinal nerves.

Herniated Disc

There is a gel like material within the disc that bulges or becomes ruptured. When the material squeezes and comes under contact of the spinal nerves, irritation and swelling is experienced. The condition can effectively be treated with the help of facet joint injections.

Arthritis

This is said to be a joint inflammation condition which is caused by the degeneration of cartilage. Arthritis being a situation in which the patient’s movement becomes restricted as well he/she has to suffer from chronic pain.

Spinal Stenosis

A situation in which the spinal canal and the nerve root canal becomes narrow thus causing back and leg pain.

Spondylolysis

Weakness or fracture in the facet joint area eventually affecting the alignment of the vertebra one on top of the other. Facet joint injections are considered to be best in treating this painful condition.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from facet joint pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Here Is How You Can Cope With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!!

Have you ever faced a tingling or numbness feeling in your hands or arms? If this is the situation then don’t ignore it, perhaps you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. If you are facing the below symptoms then it is a clear sign that you are facing carpal tunnel syndrome, which if not taken care of can worsen the condition.

Tingling & numbness

In your fingers, hands your thumb, index and middle fingers you will be feeling tingling and numbness. You will feel this kind of sensation while holding a steering wheel, phone, or newspaper or the time when you wake up from sleep.

Weakness

You might be feeling weakness in your hands while lifting objects or doing some tasks. This might be due to the numbness that has decreased your energies in performing even the usual tasks.

Remedies that will best treat Carpal tunnel syndrome

Let’s explore the remedies that will help alleviate the chronic pain that can occur as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Lighten Up

If you are involved in the tasks that require most use of your hands like writing, typing, or using cash register then unknowingly your hands might become tired and stressed. Try to tap keys lightly, if using a pen then use a soft grip pen that would cause minimal pressure on your hands.

Take breaks from repetitive tasks

If your job involves performing repetitive tasks, then try taking breaks in between it. Performing a task repetitively will halt the blood flow; bring your hands in a stressful condition thus leading to chronic pain that is the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Bad Flexes

In order to avoid the pain or not approaching any serious condition, keep your wrists in a neutral position and avoid those activities that involve making your wrists flex in some extreme direction.

Over the Counter Medications

Pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be opted for as they not only help alleviate the pain as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome but also reduce the inflammation that occurs around the nerve.

Stretch Out

Irrespective of whatever task you are involved in, try to stretch out your hands and wrists which will keep your these areas in movement and thus minimize the chances of some chronic pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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How Improving your Habits Can Alleviate Back Pain!!

Today, the most usual reason for doctor visits is none other than the problem of back pain. As a result of bad posture, poor workplace setup, lack of exercise, excessive weight and limited flexibility and lastly in depth indulgence in all the hectic activities can stress your spine as well as neck and result in chronic back pain. It has been reported that almost 50 percent of the Americans suffer from chronic back pain.

Sometimes, people know the intensity of the pain but still ignore it which is wrong and can further worsen their condition. There are many ways in which you can try and alleviate your back pain and thus prevent it from getting worse. If you modify your daily routine as well as the habits you will witness a marked improvement in your painful condition. Here are the habits that you must focus on:

A Pillow Under your knees

If you lie straight on bed then there will be a lot of pressure on your back that could lead you to back pain. Try keeping a pillow under your knees that is a sort of elevation for the legs and will in turn reduce the pressure on the back.

Enough Workouts

In case you are suffering from any back injuries, muscle spasms and strains try performing a regular training workout including specifically back and abdominal exercises that will not only improve your flexibility but will also strengthen your back.

Calcium & Vitamin D Intake

In women the most common causes of back pain is due to osteoporosis which can only be prevented when your bones are strong. Calcium and vitamin D contribute a lot towards the strength of your bones; hence their intake must be strictly opted.

Calcium containing items include:

  • Leafy Greens
  • Milk
  • Vitamin Supplements
  • Yogurt

Items containing Vitamin D include:

  • Fatty Fish
  • Egg Yolks
  • Beef Liver
  • Cheese

Comfortable Shoes

Often people don’t understand that wearing the type of shoes will have affect on your spine. So, make sure that you wear low heeled shoes that will have less pressure on your spine and thus prevent you from chronic back pain.

Straighten Up

Make sure that you maintain a perfect posture, your neck and spine should be in same line thereby caring about all the intricate pieces of your spine. On the other hand, if you are in a habit of sitting in bad posture then you will be stressing your back so much so that it can lead to chronic back pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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All You Need to Know About Microdiscectomy

Probably because of lifting some heavy objects, or doing an extremely difficult task in which your back is involved, there are chances that you might injure your back towards a crack leading to a lumbar herniated disc. Sometimes when there are no clear symptoms of the problem, the patient starts feeling an irritation in the nerves resulting in pain, numbness or weakness in the arm or leg. When this is the situation, the specialists recommend Microdiscectomy that will help treat this condition effectively.

About Microdiscectomy

It is said to be the procedure that is performed on the patients suffering from herniated lumbar disc. Also known as Microdecompression or microdiskectomy, it is a process in which portions of the herniated discs are removed that help in relieving pressure on the spinal nerves.

Micodiscectomy is said to be extremely beneficial process that has proved in alleviating the sciatica pain that is caused as a result of the spinal nerve. But microdiscectomy should only be approached if the sciatica pain is completely uncontrollable.

The surgical Steps go as:

Under general anaesthesia, with the help of this process it is tried to remove the disc material that is placing pressure on the nerves. You will be face down and the steps would go as:

  • Upon the affected disc, an incision is made
  • With the help of a lighted microscope, surgeon is able to observe the very affected area
  • A small portion of the bone that protects the root nerve is removed by the surgeon
  • The damaged herniated tissue is removed with the help of a scissor-like-tool that will help relieve pressure on the nerve
  • With the help of sutures, the incision is closed
  • After treatment, the treatment is usually discharged in the morning that is the very day

With an outstanding track record of relieving pain, microdiscectomy is said to be a minimally invasive procedure. Moreover, it is recommended in the situation when all other processes fail and first and foremost to treat the lumbar herniated disc problem. You should have a complete question answer session with your doctor so that you would know that whether the treatment is right for you or not.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from herniated lumbar disc or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Stay Alarmed About the Top 6 Orthopedic Injures!!

People while playing get severely injured, hurt their foot, arm in some accident, being a civil engineer involved in field all the time get struck by an ankle sprain. These are some of the usual cases that are faced by many out there. But due to lack of knowledge about the injury they face then either ignore their problem completely or mishandle it eventually leading o a much worse condition. In order to stay cautioned about the orthopaedic injuries, here some of the most common ones are elaborated.

The Top 6 Injuries Are as Follows:

Tennis Elbow

As a result of the overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles, elbow pain is experienced which most commonly is known as the tennis elbow. It is said to be tennis elbow because it is the most significantly witnessed issue in several of the tennis players.

Adding to this, the term of golfer’s elbow is also heard that is known as the same process only felt in the inside of the elbow.

Ankle Sprain

This type of orthopaedic injury is said to be very common in sports athletes who are usually involved jumping, pivoting and running. In case a rolled ankle has sent you towards the sidelines then it is recommended that you pay a visit to a pain management specialist and get rid of the trouble.

Shoulder Dislocation

This condition of shoulder pain is often experienced as a result of muscle spasms, bruises, swelling numbness and weakness. This kind of orthopaedic injury occurs as a result of contact sports, falls, or severe motor vehicle accidents.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a kind of orthopaedic injury that becomes a hurdle in a person’s daily routine. Conditions that lead to this acute problem include arthritis, pregnancy, obesity, bone spurs etc.

Stress fractures

When the muscles become overstressed the pain is transmitted to the bones. This is basically because of untreated or overused injuries that in turn refrain the person from performing repeated motions.

ACL Tear

While deeply involved in sports, athletes have to go through quick turns, abrupt stops and starts and unpredictable motions resulting in knee injuries. This kind of orthopaedic injury is mostly witnessed in sports such as basketball, golf, soccer, skiing etc.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from orthopaedic injury or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Frozen Shoulder – It’s Symptoms & Treatment Options

Frozen shoulder, also said to be the adhesive capsulitis is a condition in which the shoulder becomes painful and stiff. Most people think that it is the normal shoulder pain and it would go after two or three stretches or opting for some pain killers will help relieve the chronic pain. But it is recommended that in such a situation one must pay a visit to a pain management specialist, who will properly diagnose the condition and suggest the medications accordingly.

Sometimes, it is the frozen shoulder condition that is causing acute shoulder pain and compelling the person to stay away from the routinely chores.

What are the Symptoms OF Frozen Shoulder?

The pain, stiffness and limitation in the range of movement can be further elaborated with the below phases that confirm about whether a person is facing frozen shoulder pain or not:

The freezing, painful phase

In this the shoulder pain is followed by stiffness and limitation in movement. Moreover, this pain increases at night time and is felt more when a person lies on the affected.

The frozen, stiff Phase

If not treated properly then this condition may last for 4-12 months. However, with certain medication even if the stiffness is treated, there remains a restriction for a person in moving easily. Shoulder being the most important part, when affected disturbs all our body parts and makes a person frustrated in performing the normal activities.

The Recovery Phase

This period can be witnessed after opting for a righteous treatment. In it the pain is alleviated and the person is able to remove the hurdle of difficulty in movement.

The treatment Options For Frozen Shoulder Include:

Shoulder pain can be alleviated if below treatment options are followed:

Ordinary Pain killers

Paracetamol or codeine being a very strong pain killer can be opted in order to ease the excruciating pain.

Anti-inflammatory pain killers

These pain killers help not only in easing the pain but also reduce the inflammation felt in the shoulder. The examples of such pain killers include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen.

Shoulder exercises

A person is advised to perform a little workout just to prevent the shoulder from being stiff. Constant movement will help ease the pain and enhance the movement.

Physiotherapy

If not by yourself, then you can look for a physiotherapist who will advise you some good exercises that will help ease the chronic shoulder pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from shoulder pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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The Healthier The Joints The Lesser The Pain!!

Joint pain, an extremely common type can be because of some severe injury or as a result of some painful conditions namely, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, strains, sprains, etc. Moreover, as the winter starts to appear, people start feeling a bit fatigued, with the presence of pain in their joints. This pain if not treated properly by a certified pain management specialist will worsen and eventually lead some other chronic problem thus confining you in one place.

Top Tips That Promise the Health Of Joints Include:

Increase the Intake of Antioxidants

If there is the formation of free radicals in the body, cartilage is damaged and inflammation is experienced. But an intake of antioxidants will help prevent this formation and protect your body from any damage.

The antioxidants containing items include:

Vitamin C – blueberry, guava, parsley, peppers, raw cabbage, sweet potatoes, oranges, lemons, mangoes, spinach etc.

Vitamin E – wheat germ, avocado, brown rice, sweet potato, alfalfa etc

Selenium – garlic, onion, broccoli, tuna, celery

Zinc – herring, alfalfa, bilberry, pumpkin seeds, ginger etc.

Reduce Inflammation

The best home remedy to get rid of joint pain is to eat those foods that contain plenty of anti-inflammatory properties. This doesn’t mean that you strictly follow this completely. You must also make a healthy diet a part of all the food intake.

The nutrients and foods containing the anti-inflammatory stuff include:

Turmeric, ginger, bromelain, omega 3 (fish oils, chia seeds, flaxseed) and MSM

Drink 1.5L to 2L of Water daily

There are numerous benefits of increasing the water intake. These include:

  • Improvement in circulation
  • Improvement in immune system
  • Body temperature regulation
  • A support for the cells to work properly
  • Joint lubrication
  • Reduction in inflammation

Exercise Regularly

The more the strength in the joints is the greater the power will be to perform any kind of task and also less chances of chronic joint pain. Hence, to strengthen your joints, exercise is highly recommended especially the low impact right ones such as

  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Swimming
  • Yoga
  • Pilates

Lose Weight

A greater weight can also create heavy pressure on the joints thus leading to acute joint pain. Therefore, try to reduce weight, which will not only lessen the pressure on joints but will also ease the breathing and smoothen the circulation.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from joint pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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