Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

The lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure used to relieve pain in the lower back and pain that radiates from the back to the legs. The medication injected helps to reduce swelling and inflammation of the irritated spinal nerves.

Procedure:

• Patient lies face down with a cushion under the abdomen to allow the spaces (foramina) on the sides of the spine to open
• Physician administers local anesthetic to numb the skin and the tissue that covers the spine
• Physician guides needle into the foraminal space that surrounds the irritated nerve root
• Physician injects contrast solution
• Physician uses fluoroscope (a type of x-ray device) to confirm position of the needle
  
• Physician injects a steroid-anesthetic medication & then removes the needle
• Physician bandages the insertion site

Most patients feel significant relief after just one injection, but some patients do require multiple injections before they feel the full benefit.

If you, or a loved one, is suffering from acute or chronic pain, give us a call and we’ll provide you with the step-by-step process of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…
Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

The lumbar epidural steroid injection is administered to relieve low back and radiating leg pain. The procedure involves an injection of a steroid-anesthetic medication into the epidural space that bathes the irritated nerve roots to help alleviate the patient’s pain.

Procedure:

• Patient lies face down with a cushion under the abdomen to allow for easier access to the epidural space
• Physician administers local anesthetic to numb the skin and the lamina portion of the lumbar vertebra bone
• Physician uses a fluoroscope (a type of x-ray device) to guide a thicker needle toward the epidural space between the L-4 and L-5 vertebra
  
• Physician injects contrast solution
• Physician uses the fluoroscope to confirm the position of the needle
• Physician injects a steroid-anesthetic mix & then removes the needle
• Physician bandages the insertion site

Most patients feel significant relief after just one or two injections, but some patients do require as many as three injections before they feel the full benefit of the medication.

If you, or a loved one, is suffering from acute or chronic pain, give us a call and we’ll provide you with the step-by-step process of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…
Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

“It’s all about that strength, ‘Bout that strength, no quitting” Part 2

“It’s all about that strength, ‘Bout that strength, no quitting” Part 2
Exercise options for those dealing with chronic pain, there are options for most everyone…

Across the world, 1.5 billion people suffer from acute or chronic pain on a daily basis. There are many different types of low-impact and light aerobic exercises that help mange chronic pain and improve quality of life for choric pain sufferers.

Below, we’ve listed some exercises as well as a few simple tips to get you started. It’s very important to exercise within your personal comfortable range of motion to avoid injury. You should start slow and increase time and weight gradually.

Walking
Benefits: brings oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, builds stamina, boosts energy, reduces stiffness and pain

Where: Anywhere!

Water Aerobics
Benefits: warm water relaxes muscles, buoyancy of the water helps with movement

Where:

• Winter Haven: Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool
• Haines City: Lake Eva Park Aquatic Center, Haines City Municipal Pool
• Bartow: Sam Griner Pool
• Lakeland: Simpson Park Pool, Gandy Pool, Kelly Rec, YMCA

Yoga
Benefits: reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain, builds endurance, improves sleep, improves concentration

Where:

• Winter Haven: Groundwork Yoga, Inside Out Co-op
• Lakeland: Yoga Pointe, Satya Life, YMCA
• Online: Youtube, or the app store has great Yoga apps as well (FREE)

Swimming
Benefits: swimming defies gravity, so there are no unpleasant jolts to the joints

Where:

• Winter Haven: Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool
• Haines City: Lake Eva Park Aquatic Center
• Bartow: Sam Griner Pool
• Lakeland: Simpson Park Pool, Gandy Pool, Kelly Rec, YMCA

Tai Chi
Benefits: reduces pain, stiffness and fatigue, builds strength, endurance and balance

Where: Local gyms (see list below)

Pilates
Benefits: builds core strength, reduces back pain, improves range of motion
Where: Local gyms (see list below)

Stretching
Benefits: increases flexibility, loosens tight muscles, and improves range of motion

Where: Anywhere

Strength Training with light or no weights
Benefits: strengthens the joints (takes strain off of the joint and onto the surrounding muscle)

Where: Anywhere!

Sex
Benefits: increase endurance, relieves pain, relieves stress
Where: Anywhere! (Well, not anywhere)

You’ll have to picture that one all by yourself ;O)

Aerobic activity (treadmill or stationary bike)
Benefits: improves physical fitness, heart strength, activates your endogenous opioid mechanisms…to reduce pain

Four sport icons

Where: Local gym (see list below)

Resistance Exercise
Benefits: range of motion, muscle strength and endurance

Where: Anywhere!

Local Gyms:

• Winter Haven: Gold’s Gym, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness
• Haines City: Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym
• Bartow: Access Fitness, Curves, Ultimate Fitness Center
• Lakeland: Gold’s Gym, Anytime Fitness, Kelly Rec, YMCA, Haka Fitness, LA Fitness, Access Fitness
• Auburndale: Anytime Fitness

Sources: health.com, American Academy of Pain Medicine, prevention.com, Journal of Pain Research, Health.com

If you find yourself in too much pain to get started with an exercise plan, give us a call and we’ll provide you with the step by step process of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson. We’re here to help you get moving in the right direction…

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

The What, The How, The Why of Physical Therapy

The What, The How, The Why of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy techniques help patients who have lost mobility due to aging, injury, disease or surgery. Physical therapy helps to restore, develop, or maintain healthy physical activity in the patient.

Physical Therapists
If you are in need of physical therapy, seek out a physical therapist with the proper credentials to ensure that you are receiving the best care. Physical therapists are specially-trained health care professionals who must have a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate. They must also be licensed by the state in which they are practicing. The training they receive allows them to tailor the therapy to the patient’s specific needs.

The role of the physical therapist is to:
 Diagnose movement dysfunction & develop a treatment plan
 Restore and maintain physical function
 Prevent further injury or discomfort

There are several different applications for physical therapy.
 Pain Management
 Post-surgical rehabilitation
 Alternative to surgery or medication

Physical therapy can be effective for those who experience pain as a result of overuse injuries or conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Treatments for pain management include:
 Heat or ice application
 Ultrasound therapy
 Stretching exercises
 Low-impact aerobics

Most surgical procedures require physical therapy as part of the healing process to help restore flexibility and strengthen the affected body area.

In addition, Physical Therapy provides a treatment for chronic pain that doesn’t involve surgery or medication. Activities such as walking, swimming, and flexibility exercise can all be helpful in reducing pain and stiffness in joints.

It Won’t Work Without You! The Patient’s Responsibility:
Physical therapy can be a difficult and lengthy process depending on the patient’s needs. It is important that the patient is in a positive frame of mind before beginning treatment, and that the patient continues to follow the treatment plan given by the physical therapist.

Did you know?
Physical Therapy, also known as Physiotherapy, was first used by Hippocrates and Galenus. They are believed to have been the first practitioners of physical therapy, advocating massage, manual therapy techniques and hydrotherapy to treat people in 460 BC!

If you are a loved one has been prescribed Physical Therapy as part of a treatment plan, be encouraged to follow the plan, go to every appointment, and do the stretches and exercises suggested by the PT. Together, you, and your PT, can make a world of difference in your recovery process.

If the chronic pain continues, after Physical Therapy has been completed, give us a call and we’ll provide you with the step by step process of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

 

Tennis Elbow Anyone?

Tennis Elbow Anyone?

So, what is tennis elbow anyway?
Tennis elbow is a term used to describe the overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles that results in pain in the elbow.

What’s in a name?
Although the name implies that this ailment is only for the avid tennis player, this condition affects those who do not even play tennis. In fact, less than 5% of those diagnosed with tennis elbow are a result of actually playing tennis. It was named “Tennis Elbow” because it often becomes a problem for a large number of tennis players, affecting as many as 50% of tennis players at some point during their career.

The term used in the medical world for this condition is medial epicondylitis. Definitely not as fun to say as Tennis Elbow…

Did you know?

• This condition can occur in either arm
• Most often occurs in the person’s dominant arm
• It affects males more than females
• Typically affects adults between the ages of 30-50
• Although tennis players and other athletes are the ones who are most commonly affected by this condition, those that participate in activities that require repetitive arm, elbow, wrist, and hand movement are also at risk for developing this condition, including:
  • Gardeners
  • Home/Office Cleaners
  • Carpenters
  • Mechanics

Causes:
Tennis elbow is caused by a subtle injury, such as a tear or strain, to the muscle and tendons of your forearm, specifically the area where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside of the elbow.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:

 Slowly increasing pain around the outside of the elbow
 Pain is worse when shaking hands or squeezing objects
 Pain is worse when stabilizing or moving the wrist with force

Treatments:

There are several treatment options for tennis elbow. Over 90% of people with this condition see improvement as a result of following a treatment plan. The treatment prescribed will be dependent on the age of the person, other drugs they are currently taking, overall health, medical history, and the severity of the person’s pain.

Treatment options include:

 Physical therapy
 Topical anti-inflammatory gels
 Topical cortisone gels
 Cortisone injections
 In rare cases, surgery

If you are a loved one is suffering from symptoms that represent themselves at Tennis Elbow, give us a call and we’ll provide you with the step by step process of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…

Ana Lipson MD

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

The Tunnels that Hurt…

The Tunnels that Hurt…

The Tunnel That Hurts

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common nerve disorder. It affects over 5 million Americans. This disorder causes pain in the hand, wrist, and forearm as a result of pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of your hand. The median nerve supplies feeling to your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.

Those that suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome most often are involved in repetitive actions on a daily basis. People who are commonly diagnosed with this syndrome

• Those who use computers for many hours each day
• Check-out line technicians
• Assembly-line workers

It most commonly affects middle aged to older people, and females three times more than males. The dominant hand is usually affected first and most severely.

Some symptoms of this syndrome include:

• Numbness in the fingers
• Pain that worsens at night
• Swollen feeling in the fingers
• Pain that moves up your arm to the elbow
• Difficulty gripping objects

Some treatments options for carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Resting the affected area for at least 2 weeks
• Avoid activities that worsen symptoms
• Immobilizing the affected area using a splint
• Applying ice packs to alleviate the pain
• Daily use of nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs or nonprescription pain
• In some severe cases, surgery

If you are a loved one is suffering from some of the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, give us a call and we’ll provide you with information on scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting…

Ana Lipson MD

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

 

There is a multidisciplinary approach to pain management waiting for you…

Central Florida Pain Management, Winter Haven Florida, Multidisciplinary Approach to Pain Management

Located in Winter Haven, Florida, Central Florida Pain Management (CFPM) is committed to providing relief from chronic and acute pain. The CFPM team is dedicated to applying a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pain ensures a coordination of patients medications, injections, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, exercise, and psychological treatments.

In order to accomplish this combination of treatments and lifestyle changes, Dr. Lipson often has to collaborate with other specialists, i.e., neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and physical therapists.

Contact Central Florida Pain Management, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting!

Ana D Lipson, MD

Central Florida Pain Management
410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Email: ana@analipsonmd.com
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

Central Florida Pain Management…So What Exactly Is Pain Management?

Central Florida Pain Management…So What Exactly Is Pain Management?
Pain management, also called pain medicine, is a type of specialized medical care that is designed to minimize the impact of surgical pain or chronic pain. Chronic pain, in particular, can be difficult to control and sometimes impossible to cure. The goal of pain management treatment is to help reduce the levels of pain a patient is experiencing and help them to enjoy a better quality of life.

Dr Ana Lipson’s Multidisciplinary Approach to Pain Management

Who Can Benefit From Pain Management
Pain management can treat recurring pain that follows surgery. It can treat pain associated with spine problems, and pain associated with cancer or cancer treatment. It can be helpful for treating neuropathic diseases, migraines and injuries such as whiplash.

Who Practices Pain Management
Pain management draws specialists from many different medical fields. A pain management specialist may have a background in anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, or psychiatry. Pain management practitioners work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and psychologists. They work together to create a plan that is tailored to each patient’s needs.

Types of Treatment
Chronic pain may be treated with a variety of methods. It can be treated with injections, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, exercise and psychological treatments. Patients take an active role in their own treatment. Patients provide feedback to help the specialist design the most effective plan possible.

Living With Chronic Pain
Pain management therapy can greatly reduce a patient’s pain. It can provide coping strategies that keep pain from being intolerable. Although some types of chronic pain can never be completely eliminated, pain management can bring significant relief to many people.

Give us a call today to learn more about scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lipson. Contact Central Florida Pain Management Today, Your Pain Free Life Is Waiting.

Ana Lipson MD
Central Florida Pain Management
Winter Haven Florida 
863-293-4800

410 First Street South
Winter Haven FL 33880
Phone: 863-293-4800
Email: ana@analipsonmd.com
Web Site: http://www.analipsonmd.com/

complex regional pain syndrome, part 2 – two types, many symptoms…

complex regional pain syndrome, part 2 – two types, many symptoms…

There are two types of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

• Type 1. Also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, occurs after an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in your affected limb. About 90 percent of people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome have type 1.
• Type 2. Once referred to as causalgia, this type follows a distinct nerve injury.

Many cases of complex regional pain syndrome occur after a forceful trauma to an arm or a leg, such as a crush injury, fracture or amputation, major and minor traumas, surgery, heart attacks, infections and even sprained ankles. Emotional stress may also be a precipitating factor.

It’s not well-understood why these injuries can trigger complex regional pain syndrome, but it may be due to a dysfunctional interaction between your central and peripheral nervous systems and inappropriate inflammatory responses.

Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:

• Non stop burning or throbbing pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
• Sensitivity to touch or cold
• Swelling of the painful area
• Fluctuations in skin temperature — hot / cold / sweaty
• Changes in skin color, which can range from white and mottled to red or blue
• Changes in skin texture, which may become tender, thin or shiny in the affected area
• Changes in hair and nail growth
• Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness and loss (atrophy)
• Decreased ability to move the affected body part

The symptoms may change over time and vary from person to person. Most commonly, pain, swelling, redness, noticeable changes in temperature and hypersensitivity (particularly to cold and touch) occur first.

Over time, the affected limb can become cold and pale and undergo skin and nail changes as well as muscle spasms and tightening. Once these changes occur, the condition is often irreversible.

Complex regional pain syndrome occasionally may spread from its source to elsewhere in your body, such as the opposite limb. The pain may be worsened by emotional stress.

In some people, signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome go away on their own. In others, signs and symptoms may persist for months to years. Treatment is likely to be most effective when started early in the course of the illness.

If you experience constant, severe pain that affects a limb and makes touching or moving that limb seem intolerable, see your doctor to determine the cause. It’s important to treat complex regional pain syndrome early.

The Complications Of Not Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment Early:

If complex regional pain syndrome isn’t diagnosed and treated early, the disease may progress to more disabling signs and symptoms. These may include:

• Tissue wasting (atrophy). If you avoid moving an arm or a leg because of pain or if you have trouble moving a limb because of stiffness, your skin, bones and muscles may begin to deteriorate and weaken.
• Muscle tightening (contracture). You also may experience tightening of your muscles. This may lead to a condition in which your hand and fingers or your foot and toes contract into a fixed position.

If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms discussed, including:

• persistent pain
• swelling
• discoloration
• sensitivity to touch
• temperature fluctuation

after a surgical procedure has been done, ask your surgeon for a pain management referral. We’re here to help!

Contact us today; ​Your pain free life is waiting!

Learn more about complex regional pain syndrome in the rest of our series. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Part 1 (Patient B) Published on 3/2/2015 & Part 3 (Medical Help & Treatment) Coming Soon!

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 1st Street South
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
863-293-4800
ana@analipsonmd.com
http://www.analipsonmd.com

Spinal Cord Stimulation (MEDTRONIC)

Overview
Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.

Screening Test Implantation

The injection site is anesthetized. One or more insulated wire leads are inserted through an epidural needle or through a small incision into the space surrounding the spinal cord, called the epidural space.

Find the Right Location
Electrodes at the end of the lead produce electrical pulses that stimulate the nerves, blocking pain signals. The patient gives feedback to help the physician determine where to place the stimulators to best block the patient’s pain. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator, which will be used for approximately one week to determine if SCS will help the patient.

Determine Effectiveness
If the patient and physician determine that the amount of pain relief is acceptable, the system may be permanently implanted. At the end of the trial implantation, the leads are removed.

Permanent Implantation
The permanent implantation may be performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. First, one or more permanent leads are inserted through an epidural needle or small incision into the predetermined location in the epidural space.

Generator Implantation
Next, a small incision is created, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery is positioned beneath the skin. It is most often implanted in the buttocks or the abdomen. The leads are then connected to the IPG battery.

End of Procedure
The implant’s electrical pulses are programmed with an external wireless programmer. The patient can use the programmer to turn the system on or off, adjust the stimulation power level and switch between different programs.

After Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation
After surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort and swelling at the incision sites for several day

Central Florida Pain Management is dedicated to providing ​relief for acute and chronic pain. We believe in maintaining a caring and compassionate atmosphere to help improve the quality of life for those in pain. We are committed to incorporating education, within our treatment plans, motivating patients to become actively involved in their pain management care. 

Contact us today; ​Your pain free life is waiting!

Dr. Ana Lipson
Central Florida Pain Management
410 1st Street South
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
863-293-4800
http://www.analipsonmd.com/