Avoiding The Pain of Osteoarthritis – Prevention Tips
Arthritis can take many forms, but the most commonly diagnosed is osteoarthritis (OA). (1) Caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage in almost any joint it can result in arthritis related pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, a feeling of grating in the affected joint, and point tenderness. Worldwide, millions of people are affected by OA; in the US almost 27 million people live with its effects. […]
Benefits of Dry Needling for Pain Relief
Trigger point dry needling is a technique that patients can use to try and relieve their pain. It is used in conjunction with manual therapy and therapeutic exercises, to retrain tissue and improve overall flexibility and function. Pain or dysfunction that has not improved with standard treatment–which also prevents a patient from returning to their previous activity level or sport without restrictions–may benefit from trigger point dry needling. Muscle stiffness can occur after surgery, due to pain and post-operative restrictions. Muscles in this state will not develop the appropriate force required for normal function. With the decrease in pain and restoration of normal tone from trigger point dry needling, the patient’s range of motion limitations, faulty movement patterns, and [...]
Coping With Chronic Pain – Tips & Techniques
Every day our rheumatologists help patients who are dealing with chronic pain. Their experience in dealing with rheumatic diseases and many other painful […]
Brian Clay, MD
Dr. Brian Clay is a physiatrist and interventional pain management specialist, fellowship trained in anesthesia pain medicine. As a physiatrist, Dr. Clay is a nerve, muscle and bone expert who treats injuries and illnesses that impact how the human body moves. Many of Dr. Clay’s patients rely on him to manage painful arthritic conditions affecting peripheral joints and pain due to disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine. He also works with individuals who have suffered traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Another key area of expertise is outpatient sports medicine. Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Clay has been fascinated by science since childhood. After earning an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and completing medical school, he concentrated his focus [...]
Crystal Lake Physician Offices
You're invited to our Crystal Lake Open House! Join us Thursday, May 30 at 5 p.m. Meet the team, tour our new space and learn about our services. Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
Ease Arthritis Pain with Exercise
Arthritis is a common condition that involves inflammation of one or more joints. It’s known to be painful, and the pain will vary depending on the location, type and severity. When pain does flare up as a result of arthritis, […]
How Does Chronic Pain Effect You
Thanks to the American Academy of Pain (AAPM) we know some of the facts about how pain affects the lives of people. According to their research, in the United States health care for pain management is […]
Managing The Chronic Pain Of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain that can become debilitating at times. The pain usually travels from one area of the body to another, […]
How Does Dry Needling Differ from Acupuncture?
If you have been to a physical therapy clinic lately, chances are that you have seen or heard about physical therapists using needles as part of their treatment approach. Your initial thought was likely something along the lines of, “Physical therapists are doing acupuncture now?” This is the common assumption, but it is incorrect. Physical therapists use an intervention known as dry needling. So, what is all the hype? What is dry needling, and how is it different from acupuncture? Well, now that I have you on pins and needles, let’s clear up some of the confusion. Is Dry Needling similar to Acupuncture? Dry needling and acupuncture both involve puncturing the skin with tiny needles for the purpose of [...]
Mehul H. Garala, MD
Dr. Mehul Garala is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Sports Medicine, with special interest in non-operative spine management. He performs musculoskeletal and spine evaluations, fracture management, and administers peripheral joint as well as interventional spinal injections. Dr. Garala has extensive experience evaluating patients with neck and/or back injuries and comprehensively managing them through education, medication, physical therapy and performing injections if warranted. He also has a depth of experience in occupational health and the management of workers’ compensation injuries. He received his undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, and subsequently obtained his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA. Dr. Garala completed [...]
Myofascial Pain Syndrome- Causes and Symptoms
What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? Myofascial Pain syndrome (MPS) is a condition that describes chronic muscle pain. The condition affects both the muscles (Myo) and the connective tissues (fascia) that cover and join the muscles. […]
Richard Noren, MD
Dr. Richard Noren is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. His practice is dedicated to the treatment of pain, particularly back and neck pain, complex regional pain syndromes, other forms of neuropathy and arthritis. He offers the latest in pain management care, including epidural injections, nerve injections, and implantable nerve stimulators to relieve chronic pain. He also provides medical consultations for the insurance industry. Originally an anesthesiologist, he decided to become a pain management specialist because he wanted a more one-on-one, long term relationship with his patients. His current practice is now limited to pain management only. Dr. Noren brings true compassion and empathy when caring for patients. He takes time to listen, understand the condition fully and provide [...]
Managing Your Pain Doesn’t Mean You’re Alone
You Don’t Need To Struggle With Pain Many people think that their pain is not bad enough to seek out expert assistance. […]
Pain Management
Pain Management Aches, stiffness, and soreness can be sudden or ongoing. Don’t let pain stop you from living life. Finding the right help is important in taking control of your pain. The pain management specialists at IBJI treat every aspect of pain care. Whether it’s knee, back, neck, or arm pain, IBJI has you covered. Chronic vs. Acute Pain Chronic pain is ongoing and lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain is usually consistent and experienced on a daily basis. It can be caused from past injuries or illness, arthritis, or an underlying issue. No matter the cause, chronic pain hurts and does not change unless properly managed. Acute pain is typically sudden and sharp. This type of [...]
Busting The Myths: 14 Facts About Pain Management – Part One
The physicians at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute clinics treat thousands of people suffering from chronic pain every year. […]
Pain Management – Techniques and Treatment
Pain comes in two basic forms chronic and acute. In most cases acute pain is a result of a sudden event like surgery, bone fractures, infections, cuts and lacerations, falls, and burns. Acute pain is normally treated by a physician immediately following the event that caused the pain. Usually the pain does not last very long, six months at the longest and it dissipates as the injury or condition heals. […]
Pain Management – Treating Chronic Pain with Trigger Point Injections
There are many different treatments for chronic pain ranging from medication to surgery, and if you suffer from chronic pain you are probably already familiar with many of the options available such as physical and massage therapy, acupuncture and pain injections. […]
Rhutav Parikh, MD
Dr. Rhutav Parikh is a board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He provides diagnosis and non-operative treatment and management of orthopaedic conditions, especially back and neck pain, musculoskeletal and sports related injuries, work injuries and arthritis and rheumatologic conditions. In addition, Dr. Parikh provides pain management care, including joint injections, electrodiagnostic medicine/EMG and nerve conduction studies. In providing care, Dr. Parikh works to build strong relationships with his patients and provide them with compassionate support. He aims to provide the most comprehensive, conscientious and innovative rehabilitation care in order to maximize function for patients so that they can return to the activities they enjoy. Dr. Parikh serves as a team physician at the College of Lake County in [...]
Reduce Arthritis Pain with Simple Lifestyle Changes
Arthritis is a painful disorder that involves inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis is actually an umbrella, describing over 100 forms of arthritis including common forms such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. […]
Reduce Your Pain – Simple Chronic Pain Management Tips
Millions of Americans who have some form of arthritis or a related disease suffer from pain that is chronic. Pain is treated as chronic when it persist three to six months or longer, but chronic pain can be considered its own disease. […]
David Schneider, DO
Dr. David Schneider grew up outside Detroit, Michigan. After completing his medical education and serving as an Undersea Medical Officer in the Navy, he finished his residency and fellowship. He joined Lake Cook Orthopedics, a Division of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in 1998. Currently, Dr. Schneider sees a variety of patients with bone, tendon, muscle, joint, and brain diseases. As a physiatrist, he works in partnership with the orthopedic surgeons at Lake Cook Orthopedics, a Division of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute to meet the diverse needs of patients. His special interests include treating patients with sports and spine problems. He is a member of various organizations, including the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association [...]
Treating Sciatica Through Physical Therapy
When the muscles in the hip place pressure on the sciatic nerve it can cause excruciating pain called sciatica. The sciatic nerve is a major nerve the travels the full length of the body, following the lumbar region of the back and down the leg all the way to the foot. […]
Brooke Vanderby, MD
Dr. Brooke Vanderby is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. After completing her residency in anesthesiology, Dr. Vanderby pursued a fellowship in pain management. She has a passion for educating herself about the latest advances in minimally invasive procedures, non-narcotic medications, and holistic and integrative medicine. She also enjoys exploring emerging research on how nutrition-based approaches can complement treatments such as physical therapy, injections and medications. An Academic All-Big Ten soccer player during her undergraduate years, Dr. Vanderby is a fitness enthusiast who loves spending time outdoors. She is an avid reader and is learning to cook with her husband, who is also a physician.
What are Direct Access and Manual Therapy?
Direct Access allows for patients to see a physical therapist without a referral. So, if you wake up one morning with a stiff neck or lower back pain from lifting heavy objects the day before, you can go right to seeing a physical therapist at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI). Physical therapists can evaluate your pain, provide non-pharmacological treatment to decrease your pain, and improve your functional mobility. If the assessment reveals a problem that needs to be seen by a physician, we can help facilitate a referral to one of IBJI’s orthopedic or pain management physicians for further assessment. Manual therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy, delivered with the hands, as opposed to a device [...]
What Is Fibromyalgia – Chicago Treatment Facilities
Fibromyalgia is a complex but treatable syndrome. Fibromyalgia is a common yet very complex and often misunderstood illness, so complex it is often misdiagnosed. […]
What Is Pain? What You Feel And How It Works
The word pain traces its origins through French to Latin and finally the Greek word “poine,” which means a penalty or punishment. Unfortunately the etymology of the word is easier to […]
What is Pain Management and What Are My Options?
If you have been living with pain in any area of your body for an extended period of time, you are probably familiar with the phrase “pain management”. […]