By Lori Berezin Photography by Marvin Steindler Dual board-certified, interventional pain-management physician Dr. Jeffrey Glaser opened Glaser Pain Relief Center in Encino more than 15 years ago. His goal is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain, with an emphasis on conditions of the spine that cause symptoms, such as back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. At some point in their lives, eight out of 10 people suffer from a major episode of back pain. Living with pain can turn one’s life upside down. Dr. Glaser offers alternative, minimally invasive solutions to surgery. Interestingly, greater than 50% of his patients have had previous neck or back surgery and see Dr. Glaser because they still suffer from pain. Back and neck pain can be disabling, depressing, and very upsetting, says Dr. Glaser. There are situations where surgery is “needed,” but most of the time, patients don’t “need” surgery, and less-invasive treatment modalities can get a patient out of a pain crisis. Dr. Glaser works with the finest spine surgeons in the community so that when a patient does need a referral, there is continuity of a dedicated care team. The field of interventional pain management utilizes the most stateof-the-art, advanced, and minimally invasive techniques to treat a patient’s underlying problem. It is critical that patients first have a comprehensive evaluation and consultation with Dr. Glaser with complete review of studies and other medical records. Once Dr. Glaser has evaluated a patient, he can recommend a treatment plan. Some procedures utilized by Dr. Glaser include nerve ablations/rhizotomies, selective nerve-root blocks, epidurals, sympathetic blocks, Botox, minimally invasive discectomy (no incisions), and spinal-cord stimulation.
Dr. Glaser and his staff continue to improve patients’ quality of life while adhering to the Hippocratic oath to “first do no harm.” Min-
Dr. Glaser believes that treatment does not just stop with an in-
imizing the use of controlled substances while maximizing the use
tervention. “It’s important for me to understand my patients and
of minimally invasive treatments to alleviate pain, Dr. Glaser offers
their lifestyles,” he stresses. By understanding his patients’ life cir-
patients a powerful prescription for a life free from chronic pain. n
cumstances, hobbies, habits, and goals, he can best custom tailor treatment plans. After graduating from the prestigious Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dr. Glaser completed his internship and residency at the renowned UCLA Medical Center. He then practiced in Las Vegas before returning home to Southern California to open his private practice in Encino in 2001. One of the most exciting advancements for patients suffering from chronic back and leg pain is the newest generation of spinal cord stimulators (SCS). “SCS is like a pacemaker for pain,” says Dr. Glaser. A SCS is a device that delivers high frequency electrical signals to the spinal cord via leads which are implanted in the epidural
Conditions Treated: Herniated or bulging discs Back and neck pain Sciatica Peripheral neuropathy Spinal stenosis Failed back surgery Degenerative disc disease Arthritic conditions Vertebral compression fractures Congenital spinal problems Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) Migraines Sports injuries
space. The signals modulate or change the signal of pain going to the brain. The net result is that patients experience relief of back and neck pain without major surgery and without dangerous narcotics. One of the best parts about SCS is that patients can actually “test drive” this treatment modality to see if it is an option for them before having it implanted.
Jeffrey B. Glaser, M.D. Glaser Pain Relief Center 16311 Ventura Blvd., #518 Encino 818.501.PAIN (7246) glaserpainrelief.com
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