General Practitioners

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
  After years of bedside nursing my back was destroyed. I went through all of the steps, therapy, small surgeries, eventually a fusion. I was sent to doctor after doctor. No longer able to walk through an airport, sit at my desk, sleep through the night, carry groceries, walk the dog, bake a cake, I was so sad.  I had to give up direct patient care and my life became smaller and smaller. Being very active by nature I felt like my life was pretty much over and would be spending my days reading and watching TV. I developed severe rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatologist sent me to Dr. Glaser. With their help I can now keep up at work, enjoy my grandson's football games and travel again. I am so grateful. As a nurse I know that pain specialists often get judged because of the drugs they prescribe. This is so sad. That stigma probably prevents many people from getting the care  they really need. If you have pain and you can’t live your life anymore, please get help, it is available, it is safe and it can work. Thank you to everyone at the center for giving me my life back, your patience, your dedication.
• Fibromyalgia
  I was introduced to Dr. Glaser through a friend who highly recommended Dr. Glaser as the "Best Pain Specialist in Illinois" She stated "Dr. Glaser actually cared for you and listened to your pain situations." I was grateful for the recommendation, but I doubted her referral because I had visited so many other doctors who did not listen nor did they care when I complained of the pain areas in my body. As I do with all previous and current doctors - I searched his patient reviews and complaints - all good and there were no complaints. I suffered from severe pain in my entire body for 15+ years with excruciating pain extending from Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Osteoarthritis combination. My value in life had simply diminished and I just wanted to die. I was so tired of being in pain every day. No social life. I could not work, and my marriage was deteriorating heading for divorce because I did not want to do anything but stay in bed and just suffer. After a while, staying in bed became too painful. I experienced so many years of suffering. People said that I was lazy and "imagining" the muscle pain in my muscles, knees, lumbar, tendons, and joints. One day - I decided to take my friend's advice and I contacted Dr. Glaser's office to set up an appointment for a new patient's initial consultation. Dr. Glaser's office accepted my health insurance (luckily.) His staff is very professional, friendly, and personable. I received an appointment the following week. Upon meeting Dr. Glaser his first impression was extremely professional and courteous. He shook my hand and introduced himself - which I thought was very uncommon in today's doctors. I was impressed with his bedside manner and patient hospitality. Dr. Glaser appears to be incredibly wise and smart; he knows if you are faking pain. Glaser allowed me time to explain my pain areas and we discussed a personal pain management plan that would work best for me. He looked directly into my eyes and appeared to care. I believe the first impression of an individual is everything. For me, I can see into a person's soul through their eyes. Dr. Glaser treated me as a person, not someone complaining of pain untruthfully. Dr. Glaser diagnosed my pain management plan through MRIs and other diagnostic tests. After reviewing all my testing, urine, and diagnosis results. Dr. Glaser immediately suggested a pain management plan designed just for me right away to help alleviate the pain in the areas complained. I followed every word of his pain management plan and trusted his plan suggestions, and my God - I am so glad I did! As a result, after only three to four weeks of visiting Dr. Glaser, and trusting his pain management method. I have gotten out of that dreadful miserable bed to look for part-time work online to get my life back that was stolen from me many years ago. I am now visiting my friends and family, walking my dogs daily with ease, and I am almost back to myself now that my pain is manageable or there is no pa
• Medical Weight Loss
  Kent Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS. Dr. Sasse is one of the leading bariatric physicians in the country, serves as the director of the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, Nev., and is an attending surgeon at several hospitals in the area. He is the founder of the International Metabolic Institute, which seeks to bring individuals state-of-the-art medical and scientific principles of physiologic weight reduction. Dr. Sasse is the author of two recent books titled Life-Changing Weight Loss and Doctor’s Orders: 101 Medically Proven Tips for Losing Weight. He received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, a master’s in health and medical sciences at UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program and an MPH in epidemiology from UC-Berkeley School of Public Health. Dr. Sasse completed his residency at the UCSF department of surgery and his fellowship at the Lahey Clinic department of colon and rectal surgery in Burlington, Mass.
• Primary Care
  For the physicians at Pain Specialists of Great Chicago, speed has always been important – as we know it is critical to treat pain in the acute stage before it becomes chronic. New CDC guidelines underscore our efforts, requiring that primary care and/or emergency physicians prescribe no more than three days of opioids for acute pain. These guidelines were developed to curb overuse and abuse, but could result in an increase in emergency and acute care visits if patients run out of opioids prior to being seen by a pain management specialist. That means, we have 72 hours to see a patient and develop a care plan aimed at controlling or eliminating their pain.
• Emergency Care
  RESULTS: 1) There is good evidence that non-medical use of opioids is extensive; one-third of chronic pain patients may not use prescribed opioids as prescribed or may abuse them, and illicit drug use is significantly higher in these patients. 2) There is good evidence that opioid prescriptions are increasing rapidly, as the majority of prescriptions are from non-pain physicians, many patients are on long-acting opioids, and many patients are provided with combinations of long-acting and short-acting opioids. 3) There is good evidence that the increased supply of opioids, use of high dose opioids, doctor shoppers, and patients with multiple comorbid factors contribute to the majority of the fatalities. 4) There is fair evidence that long-acting opioids and a combination of long-acting and short-acting opioids contribute to increasing fatalities and that even low-doses of 40 mg or 50 mg of daily morphine equivalent doses may be responsible for emergency room admissions with overdoses and deaths. 5) There is good evidence that approximately 60% of fatalities originate from opioids prescribed within the guidelines, with approximately 40% of fatalities occurring in 10% of drug abusers. 6) The short-term effectiveness of opioids is fair, whereas the long-term effectiveness of opioids is limited due to a lack of long-term (> 3 months) high quality studies, with fair evidence with no significant difference between long-acting and short-acting opioids. 7) Among the individual drugs, most opioids have fair evidence for short-term and limited evidence for long-term due to a lack of quality studies. 8) The evidence for the effectiveness and safety of chronic opioid therapy in the elderly for chronic non-cancer pain is fair for short-term and limited for long-term due to lack of high quality studies; limited in children and adolescents and patients with comorbid psychological disorders due to lack of quality studies; and the evidence is poor in pregnant women. 9) There is limited evidence for reliability and accuracy of screening tests for opioid abuse due to lack of high quality studies. 10) There is fair evidence to support the identification of patients who are non-compliant or abusing prescription drugs or illicit drugs through urine drug testing and prescription drug monitoring programs, both of which can reduce prescription drug abuse or doctor shopping.
• Constipation
• Electrocardiogram
  RESULTS: Part 2 of the guidelines on responsible opioid prescribing provides the following recommendations for initiating and maintaining chronic opioid therapy of 90 days or longer. 1. A) Comprehensive assessment and documentation is recommended before initiating opioid therapy, including documentation of comprehensive history, general medical condition, psychosocial history, psychiatric status, and substance use history. (Evidence: good) B) Despite limited evidence for reliability and accuracy, screening for opioid use is recommended, as it will identify opioid abusers and reduce opioid abuse. (Evidence: limited) C) Prescription monitoring programs must be implemented, as they provide data on patterns of prescription usage, reduce prescription drug abuse or doctor shopping. (Evidence: good to fair) D) Urine drug testing (UDT) must be implemented from initiation along with subsequent adherence monitoring to decrease prescription drug abuse or illicit drug use when patients are in chronic pain management therapy. (Evidence: good) 2. A) Establish appropriate physical diagnosis and psychological diagnosis if available prior to initiating opioid therapy. (Evidence: good) B) Caution must be exercised in ordering various imaging and other evaluations, interpretation and communication with the patient, to avoid increased fear, activity restriction, requests for increased opioids, and maladaptive behaviors. (Evidence: good) C) Stratify patients into one of the 3 risk categories – low, medium, or high risk. D) A pain management consultation, may assist non-pain physicians, if high-dose opioid therapy is utilized. (Evidence: fair) 3. Essential to establish medical necessity prior to initiation or maintenance of opioid therapy. (Evidence: good) 4. Establish treatment goals of opioid therapy with regard to pain relief and improvement in function. (Evidence: good) 5. A) Long-acting opioids in high doses are recommended only in specific circumstances with severe intractable pain that is not amenable to short-acting or moderate doses of long-acting opioids, as there is no significant difference between long-acting and short-acting opioids for their effectiveness or adverse effects. (Evidence: fair) B) The relative and absolute contraindications to opioid use in chronic non-cancer pain must be evaluated including respiratory instability, acute psychiatric instability, uncontrolled suicide risk, active or history of alcohol or substance abuse, confirmed allergy to opioid agents, coadministration of drugs capable of inducing life-limiting drug interaction, concomitant use of benzodiazepines, active diversion of controlled substances, and concomitant use of heavy doses of central nervous system depressants. (Evidence: fair to limited) 6. A robust agreement which is followed by all parties is essential in initiating and maintaining opioid therapy as such agreements reduce overuse, misuse, abuse, and diversion. (Evidence: fair) 7. A) Once medical necessity is esta

Internists

• Urology
  Herbert Riemenschneider, MD. Dr. Riemenschneider is the principal physician at Riverside Urology and the founder of Knightsbridge Surgery Center, both in Columbus, Ohio. He is a urologic surgeon, a dedicated patient advocate and an innovator in delivering superior urologic care. He currently is a member of the faculty at Ohio State University in Columbus, clinical assistant professor of Urology at OSU’s College of Medicine and director of urologic education at Riverside Methodist Hospitals. A local pioneer in cryosurgical ablation for treatment of prostate cancer, he performed the first prostate cryoablation in Ohio. Dr. Riemenschneider received his medical degree from the OSU College of Medicine and completed his residency in urology at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
• Prostate Cancer

Psychiatrists

• Depression
• Mental Health
  The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second-most prevalent form of illicit drug use in America and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation, says Pamela Hyde, administrator of The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in a statement.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Business ​of ​Pain ​Medicine, ​Spinal ​Injections ​and ​Complications, ​Neuromodulation, ​Opioids, ​Advanced ​Techniques, ​Medical ​Marijuana, ​Practice ​Management, ​Regenerative ​Medicine, ​and ​Hands-on ​Ultrasound ​Workshop
• MRI
  The field of interventional pain management has evolved substantially over the past decade. This is primarily due to the increased ability of physicians who specialize in interventional pain management to pinpoint the cause of spinal pain through the use of MRI’s and the performance of diagnostic injections and nerve blocks. This has expanded the ability of interventional pain physicians to safely and effectively treat lower back and neck pain with minimally invasive procedures. Some of the more common treatments performed by the doctors at the Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago are listed to the left of this page.
• Radiology
  Dr. Glaser, president ISIPP, presided over the 2nd annual Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians meeting held on January 19th which was a rousing success. 60 ISIPP members enjoyed good food and camaraderie at Harry Caray’s restaurant in downtown Chicago on a cold winter evening. They were treated to provocative and informative lectures by Dr. Gabor Racz and Dr. Joseph Fortin. Dr. Racz presented his thoughts on reducing the risks of interventional treatment, specifically interlaminar and transformational injections as well as epidural adhesiolysis procedures. The attendees were riveted by Dr. Racz as he recounted complications of interventional treatment that he was aware of. Dr. Fortin gave a well received lecture on biomechanics of the lumbar spine with an impressive audiovisual presentation. The audience gained an appreciation of the causes of injury to the spine well as the logic behind the rehabilitative process. The audience was truly multispecialty in nature comprised of physicians from a physiatric and anesthesiology background, nurses, physician assistants, radiology technicians, and physical therapists.
• Computed Tomography
  STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen cases of paralysis from transforaminal epidural injection have been reported. We could analyze the position of the needle within the neural foramen based on the available images and/or description among 10 of these 18 cases. Five cases were performed with computed tomography guidance and 12 cases were performed with fluoroscopic guidance unknown in one case. Additionally, other variables associated with the procedure, including the technique, were also examined.

Surgeons

• Orthopedics
  Douglas R. Dodson, DO. Dr. Dodson practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico, where he works with patients ranging from professional athletes to “weekend warriors” to child soccer players. Dr. Dodson earned his DO from Western University of Health Sciences in California and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Michigan State University. He also undertook a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Thomas Jefferson University. His special interests include hip and knee reconstruction, back pain, arthritis, foot and ankle disease, work-related injuries and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In the Alamogordo community, he participates in local health lectures and coaches amateur sports teams. Dr. Dodson is the former chief of staff of Gerald Champion Memorial Hospital and serves on the board of directors for Alamogordo Physicians Cooperative. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics and the New Mexico Orthopaedic Association.
• Sciatica
  The most common pain complaints encountered are related to the spine. The sources of spinal pain are now well known through the research of the last few decades. The spinal canal is formed by individual bones called vertebra. These vertebra protect the spinal cord and the nerves that exit the spinal cord through openings between the vertebra. These vertebra articulate, or meet, eachother at three distinct joints which allow movement. The disc joints are found just in front of the spinal cord and the paired facet joints are found behind the spinal cord. It is these joints which are subjected to constant wear and tear, stress and strain, with daily living and which are effected by the normal aging changes associated with all joints (degenerative osteoarthritis). These are joints which can become injured or inflamed and which can cause chronic pain. Derangements of these joints can also cause pressure or inflammation of the spinal cord or exiting nerves causing extremity pain as well (often called sciatica in the leg).
• Whiplash
  Intra-articular Facet Injections are fluoroscopically directed injections of local anesthetic and depot steroid into the facet joints suspected to be a source of spinal pain. In the lower back, this type of pain is most frequently related to degenerative disc disease which places increased stress on the facet joints. In the neck, it is the most common cause of pain following a whiplash type of injury. Pain secondary to the facets may also be a consequence of synovial tears, cysts, hematomas, subluxations, spinal instability, spondylolisthesis, and vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of the injection is two-fold. The relief of pain by the local anesthetic is important diagnostic information for the pain physician, allowing them to define and more effectively treat spinal pain. The steroid can provide long term relief of symptoms in many cases of pain related to disorders of the facet joint. Further treatment is guided by the response of the patient to both the local anesthetic and the steroid.
• Arthroscopy
  Jeffrey L. Visotsky, MD, FACS. Dr. Visotsky is a member of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and founder of the Morton Grove (Ill.) Surgery Center. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and specializes in conditions of the hand, elbow and shoulder, arthroscopy shoulder/elbow, shoulder reconstruction and replacement, among other areas. Dr. Visotsky serves as assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago and an instructor in the physicians assistant department of the Finch University of Health Sciences Chicago Medical School. He also holds a position as a special consultant in the division of specialized care for children at the University of Illinois in Chicago, specializing in hand and upper extremity care. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at McGaw Medical Center in Chicago and his fellowship in hand and upper extremity microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
• Joint Replacement
  James L. Fox, Jr., MD. Dr. Fox is the founding leader of the Ravine Way Surgery Center in Glenview, Ill., and practices at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing for more than 20 years. His clinical interests include general orthopedic surgery, including fracture care and arthroscopy, as well as orthopedic oncology. Dr. Fox received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York, and joint replacement at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. He completed his residency with, and serves as assistant professor and associate clinical professor at, Northwestern University Medical School in Evanston, Ill. He also holds an instructor position at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Ill.
• Orthopedic Surgery
  David J. Raab, MD. Dr. Raab is the founder, president and CEO of the Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center in Morton Grove, Ill., and an orthopedic surgeon with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Des Plaines, Ill. He specializes in orthopedic surgery in sports medicine, total joint replacement and arthroscopy, among other areas of interest. He holds an academic appointment as assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Raab received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center.
• Neurosurgery
  James J. Lynch, MD, FACS. Dr. Lynch is the president, founder and CEO of SpineNevada based in Reno, Nev., and he also serves as the director of spine service for Regent Surgical Health. He is a board-certified neurological surgeon with 18 years of experience who specializes in complex spine surgery, cervical disorders, degenerative spine, spinal deformities, trauma, tumor infection and minimally invasive spine surgery. He is on staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and Renown Medical Center, both located in Reno. He is one of only a handful of spine surgeons with three fellowships in the specialty of spine surgery and has been published in leading journals including Spine: Journal of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery. Dr. Lynch is a frequent lecturer at national meetings on spine topics related to ASCs. He earned his medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and completed a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Lynch completed spine fellowships from Mayo Clinic, Queen Square in London and Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Arthroscopy

Dermatologists

• Cyst

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Eric J. Freeh, DO. Dr. Freeh practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico. As the former team physician for the Phoenix Suns professional basketball team, he has the experience to provide his patients with “the finest orthopedic care possible,” according to the center’s website. Dr. Freeh earned his DO from Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and completed an internship at Hillcrest Osteopathic Hospital. He also undertook an orthopedic surgery residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington, Mich. Dr. Freeh specializes in trauma surgery, shoulder injury and osteoporosis and has successfully treated thousands of fractures. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as an examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, is a member of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and is a faculty member at the Association for Study of Internal Fixation.
• Physical Therapy
  Patients like D’Alise have typically tried several interventions include ibuprofen, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes before resorting to the injections. D’Alise says his condition makes commuting to work, riding a train, and sitting for long periods incredibly difficult. He received his last shot in 2011 but the relief only lasted for six months. He says the pain has returned to a “7” on a scale of one to 10.
• Shoulder Pain
• Neck Pain
• Back Pain