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¿Tienes información suficiente para decidir si quieres la epidural? ¿Conoces el procedimiento para ponerla? En este episodio, Ane López, anestesista, nos explica todo lo que deberíamos saber sobre la epidural 

Summary In this episode of the Pain Exam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum provides a comprehensive review of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), focusing on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Dr. Rosenblum explains that postherpetic neuralgia affects approximately 25% of patients with acute herpes zoster, causing debilitating unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes. He discusses the three phases of herpes zoster: acute (up to 30 days), subacute (up to 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (pain continuing beyond 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum identifies risk factors for developing PHN, including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. He details the pathophysiology involving peripheral and central sensitization, and explains different phenotypes of PHN that can guide treatment approaches. For treatment, Dr. Rosenblum reviews various options including antiviral medications (which should be started within 72 hours of onset), corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants (particularly tricyclics and SNRIs), antiepileptics (gabapentin and pregabalin), topical agents (lidocaine and capsaicin), and interventional procedures such as epidural injections and pulsed radiofrequency. He emphasizes that prevention through vaccination with Shingrix is highly effective, with 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old and 89% effectiveness in those over 70. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's currently treating a patient with trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia and is considering a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as a minimally invasive intervention before attempting more invasive procedures. Chapters Introduction to the Pain Exam Podcast and Topic Overview Dr. David Rosenblum introduces the Pain Exam Podcast, mentioning that it covers painful disorders, alternative treatments, and practice management. He explains that this episode focuses on herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia as board preparation for fellows starting their programs, with ABA boards coming up in September. Dr. Rosenblum notes that he's not only preparing listeners for boards but also seeking the latest information to help treat his own patients with this notoriously difficult disease. Upcoming Conferences and Educational Opportunities Dr. Rosenblum announces several upcoming conferences including Aspen in July, Pain Week in September, and events with NYSIP and the Latin American Pain Society. He mentions he'll be teaching ultrasound and regenerative medicine at these events. Dr. Rosenblum invites listeners to sign up at nrappain.org to access a community discussing regenerative medicine, ultrasound-guided pain medicine, regional anesthesia, and board preparation. He also offers ultrasound training in New York and elsewhere, with upcoming sessions in Manhattan on July 12th and October 4th, plus private shadowing opportunities. Overview of Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum defines postherpetic neuralgia as typically a unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes after acute herpes zoster infection. He states that the incidence of acute herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per thousand person-years, and one in four patients with acute herpes zoster-related pain will transition into postherpetic neuralgia. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that while this condition won't kill patients, it can be extremely debilitating and significantly reduce quality of life. Treatment Options Overview Dr. Rosenblum reviews treatment options according to the WHO pain ladder, including tricyclics like nortriptyline and antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin. He explains that if pain is not significantly reduced, interventional treatments like epidural injections with local anesthetics and corticosteroids or pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglion are options. For postherpetic neuralgia specifically, Dr. Rosenblum notes that preferred treatments include transdermal capsaicin, lidocaine, or oral drugs such as antidepressants or antiepileptics. Phases of Herpes Zoster and Definitions Dr. Rosenblum outlines the three phases during herpes zoster reactivation: acute herpes zoster-related pain (lasting maximum 30 days), subacute herpes zoster-related pain (pain after healing of vesicles but disappearing within 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (typically defined as pain continuing after 3 months). He mentions that acute herpes zoster pain often begins with prodromal pain starting a few days before the appearance of the rash. Incidence and Risk Factors Dr. Rosenblum states that the incidence of herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per 1,000 person-years, with approximately 5-30% of cases leading to postherpetic neuralgia. He identifies risk factors including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. Dr. Rosenblum describes the clinical manifestations as a mosaic of somatosensory symptoms including burning, deep aching pain, tingling, itching, stabbing, often associated with tactile and cold allodynia. Impact on Quality of Life Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that postherpetic neuralgia can be debilitating, impacting both physical and emotional functioning and causing decreased quality of life. He notes that it leads to fatigue, insomnia, depression, anorexia, anxiety, and emotional distress. Dr. Rosenblum stresses the importance of exploring methods for prevention of postherpetic neuralgia and optimizing pain treatment for both subacute herpes zoster-related pain and postherpetic neuralgia. Literature Review and Pathophysiology Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's discussing a literature review from 2024 that updates previous practical guidelines published in 2011. He explains the pathophysiology of postherpetic neuralgia, which involves sensitization of peripheral and sensory nerves from damage. Dr. Rosenblum describes how inflammatory mediators reduce the stimulus threshold of nociceptors and increase responsiveness, resulting in pathological spontaneous discharges, lower thresholds for thermal and mechanical stimuli, and hyperalgesia. Central Sensitization and Nerve Damage Dr. Rosenblum explains that central sensitization results from peripheral nociceptor hyperactivity leading to plastic changes in the central nervous system, involving amplification of pain signals and reduced inhibition. He describes how nerve damage in postherpetic neuralgia patients results from neuronal death due to severe inflammatory stimuli or secondary to neuronal swelling. Dr. Rosenblum notes that motor defects occur in 0.05% of patients with herpes zoster, observed as abdominal pseudohernias or motor weakness of limbs limited to the affected myotome. Different Phenotypes and Classification Dr. Rosenblum discusses different phenotypes of postherpetic neuralgia and how phenotyping can determine treatment. He explains that there are several ways to classify the phenotypes, with one categorizing patients into three subtypes: sensory loss (most common), thermal gain, and thermal loss with mechanical gain. Dr. Rosenblum describes the mechanistic categorization, including the irritable nociceptive phenotype characterized by preserved sensation, profound dynamic mechanical allodynia, reduced pressure pain threshold, and relief with local anesthetic infiltration. Deafferentation Phenotype Dr. Rosenblum explains that a deafferentation phenotype may arise from destruction of neurons by the virus in the dorsal root ganglion. This phenotype is characterized by sensory loss, including thermal and vibratory sensation without prominent thermal allodynia. He notes that mechanical allodynia can occur secondary to A-beta fibers activating spinothalamic pathways (known as phenotypic switches), along with pressure hyperalgesia and temporal summation suggesting central sensitization. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that in one study, this phenotype was present in 10.8% of individuals, and for those with deafferentation pain, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, and neuromodulatory therapies like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be beneficial. Diagnosis and Physical Examination Dr. Rosenblum discusses the diagnosis of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, emphasizing the importance of physical examination. He explains that diagnosis is based on the rash, redness, papules, and vesicles in the painful dermatomes, with healing vesicles showing crust formation. Dr. Rosenblum notes that the rash is generally unilateral and does not cross the midline of the body. In postherpetic neuralgia patients, he mentions that scarring, hyper or hypopigmentation is often visible, with allodynia present in 45-75% of affected patients. Sensory Testing and Assessment Dr. Rosenblum explains that in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, a mosaic of somatosensory alterations can occur, manifesting as hyperalgesia, allodynia, and sensory loss. These can be quantified by quantitative sensory testing, which assesses somatosensory functions, dermal detection thresholds for perception of cold, warmth, and paradoxical heat sensations. He notes that testing can provide clues regarding underlying mechanisms of pain, impaired conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation suggesting central sensitization, and information about the type of nerve damage and surviving afferent neurons. Prevention Through Vaccination Dr. Rosenblum discusses prevention of acute herpes zoster through vaccination, noting that the risk increases with reduced immunity. He highlights studies evaluating Shingrix, a vaccine for herpes zoster, which showed 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old with healthy immune systems and 89% effectiveness in patients over 70. Dr. Rosenblum states that Shingrix is 89-91% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia development in patients with healthy immune systems and 68-91% effective in those with weakened or underlying conditions. Treatment Objectives Dr. Rosenblum outlines the treatment objectives for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. For acute herpes zoster, objectives include relieving pain, reducing severity and duration of pain, accelerating recovery of epidermal defects, and preventing secondary infections. For postherpetic neuralgia, the objectives are pain alleviation and improved quality of life. Dr. Rosenblum lists available treatments including psychotherapy, opiates, antidepressants, antiepileptics, NMDA antagonists, topical agents, and interventional treatments such as epidurals, pulsed radiofrequency, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation. Antiviral Medications Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that antiviral drugs should be started within 72 hours of clinical onset, mentioning famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. He notes there is no evidence for effectiveness after 72 hours in patients with uncomplicated herpes zoster. Dr. Rosenblum provides dosing information: for immunocompetent patients, famciclovir 500mg and valacyclovir 1000mg three times daily for seven days; for immunocompromised patients, famciclovir 1000mg three times daily for 10 days, while acyclovir should be given IV in the immunocompromised. Benefits of Antiviral Therapy Dr. Rosenblum explains that antiviral medication accelerates the disappearance of vesicles and crusts, promotes healing of skin lesions, and prevents new lesions from forming. By inhibiting viral replication, he notes that antiviral therapy likely reduces nerve damage, resulting in reduced incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and should be started as soon as possible. Corticosteroids and Opioids Dr. Rosenblum discusses the use of corticosteroids, noting that when added to antiviral medications, they may reduce the severity of acute herpes zoster-related pain, though increased healing of skin lesions was not observed in one study. He mentions that a Cochrane review found oral corticosteroids ineffective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Regarding opioids, Dr. Rosenblum states they are commonly used alongside antivirals for controlling acute herpes zoster pain, with tramadol having a number needed to treat (NNT) of 4.7 and strong opioids having an NNT of 4.3 for 50% pain reduction. Methadone and Antidepressants Dr. Rosenblum discusses methadone as an NMDA receptor antagonist used in acute and chronic pain management, though he notes there are no randomized controlled trials determining its efficacy in acute herpes zoster pain or postherpetic neuralgia. He explains that methadone can modulate pain stimuli by inhibiting the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, resulting in decreased development of hyperalgesia and opioid tolerance, but has side effects including constipation, nausea, sedation, and QT prolongation that can trigger torsades de pointes. Dr. Rosenblum identifies antidepressants as first-line therapy for postherpetic neuralgia, including tricyclics and SNRIs, with tricyclics having an NNT of 3 and SNRIs an NNT of 6.4 for 50% pain reduction. Antiepileptics and Pharmacological Treatment Summary Dr. Rosenblum discusses antiepileptics like gabapentin and pregabalin for postherpetic neuralgia. He cites two trials measuring gabapentin's effect, concluding it was effective compared to placebo with a pooled NNT of 4.4, while pregabalin had an NNT of 4.9. Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that pharmacological treatment is well established for subacute herpes zoster pain, though new high-quality evidence has been lacking since the last update in 2011. Topical Agents Dr. Rosenblum discusses local anesthetic topical agents including lidocaine and capsaicin creams and patches. He notes that 8% capsaicin provided significant pain reduction during 2-8 weeks, while 5% lidocaine patches provided moderate pain relief after eight weeks of treatment. Dr. Rosenblum also mentions acute herpes zoster intracutaneous injections, citing a study where single intracutaneous injection with methylprednisolone combined with ropivacaine versus saline alone showed significant difference in VAS score at 1 and 4 weeks post-intervention favoring the intervention group. Intracutaneous Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses the effect of repetitive intracutaneous injections with ropivacaine and methylprednisolone every 48 hours for one week. He cites a randomized control trial comparing antivirals plus analgesics to antivirals plus analgesics and repeat injections, finding the intervention group had significantly shorter duration of pain, lower VAS scores, and lower incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (6.4% vs 28% at 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum notes that a potential side effect of cutaneous methylprednisolone injection is fat atrophy, though this wasn't reported in the study. Summary of Local Anesthetics Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that there are no new studies reporting the efficacy of capsaicin 8% for postherpetic neuralgia, but it remains widely used in clinical practice and is approved in several countries. He notes that lidocaine patches can reduce pain intensity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia but may be more beneficial in patients with allodynia. Dr. Rosenblum adds that intracutaneous injections may be helpful for short periods, while repetitive injections with local anesthetics may reduce VAS scores for up to six months but can cause subcutaneous fat atrophy. Interventional Treatments: Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventional treatments, noting that previous guidelines found epidural injection with corticosteroids and local anesthetic as add-on therapy superior to standard care alone for up to one month in managing acute herpes zoster pain. He mentions a randomized controlled trial showing no difference between interlaminar and transforaminal epidural steroid injections for up to three months after the procedure. Dr. Rosenblum adds that previous guidelines reported high-quality evidence that paravertebral injections of corticosteroids or local anesthetic reduces pain in the active phase of herpes zoster. Comparative Studies on Injection Approaches Dr. Rosenblum discusses a trial comparing efficacy of repetitive paravertebral blocks with ropivacaine versus dexmedetomidine to prevent postherpetic neuralgia, which showed significantly lower incidence of zoster-related pain one month after therapy in the dexmedetomidine group, with effects still significant at three months. He also mentions a study comparing steroid injections administered via interlaminar versus transforaminal approaches, finding both groups had significantly lower VAS scores at 1 and 3 months follow-up compared to baseline, though this could align with the natural course of herpes zoster. Timing of Interventions and Continuous Epidural Blockade Dr. Rosenblum cites a retrospective study showing that transforaminal epidural injections administered for acute herpes zoster-related pain were associated with significantly shorter time to pain relief compared to those performed in the subacute phase. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial finding that continuous epidural blockade combined with opioids and gabapentin reduced NRS pain scores more than analgesic drug treatments alone during three-day follow-up, though both studies were low-quality. Interventions for Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventions specifically for postherpetic neuralgia, citing a small randomized controlled trial that demonstrated decreased NRS pain scores six months post-treatment for repeat versus single epidural steroid injections (15mg vs 5mg dexamethasone) administered over 24 days. The trial also found increased likelihood of complete remission during 6-month follow-up in the group receiving repeat epidural dexamethasone, though this was low-quality evidence. Summary of Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that epidural or paravertebral injections of local anesthetic and/or glucocorticoids could be considered in treating acute herpes zoster-related pain. For subacute postherpetic neuralgia pain, he notes low-quality evidence supporting epidural injections, while for postherpetic neuralgia, evidence supports continuous epidural infusion, though also of low quality. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that none of the included studies for postherpetic neuralgia investigating epidural or paravertebral injections resulted in decreased pain compared to standard therapy. Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) Evidence Dr. Rosenblum discusses pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), noting that previous guidelines indicated moderate quality evidence that PRF of the intercostal nerve reduces pain for 6 months in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, and very low-quality evidence that PRF to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) reduces pain for 6 months. He mentions that multiple studies have been published since then assessing PRF efficacy. PRF Studies for Acute Herpes Zoster Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial with 60 patients comparing high-voltage bipolar PRF of the cervical sympathetic chain versus sham, with treatment repeated after three days in both groups. He reports that VAS scores in the PRF group at each post-interventional point (1 day, 2 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months) were significantly lower than in the sham group, and at 3 months, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was 16.7% in the PRF group compared to 40% in the sham group. PRF for Trigeminal Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum cites another randomized controlled trial evaluating high-voltage long-duration PRF of the Gasserian ganglion in 96 patients with subacute herpes-related trigeminal neuralgia, which found decreased VAS pain scores at all post-interventional time points (3, 7, 14 days and 1, 3, and 6 months) compared to the sham group. He also mentions a randomized comparative effectiveness study in 120 patients with subacute trigeminal herpes zoster, comparing a single application of high-voltage PRF to the Gasserian ganglion versus three cycles of conventional PRF treatment, finding significantly lower mean VAS pain scores for up to six months in the high-voltage PRF group. PRF Compared to Other Interventions Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial comparing PRF to short-term spinal cord stimulation, which found decreased pain and improved 36-item short-form health survey scores in both groups at six months. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial in 72 patients where PRF of spinal nerves or peripheral branches of cranial nerves combined with five-day infusion of IV lidocaine resulted in greater pain reduction, less rescue analgesia, and reduced inflammatory cytokines at two months compared to PRF with saline infusions. Dr. Rosenblum notes a major limitation of this study was not accounting for the high natural recovery rate. Summary of PRF and Final Recommendations Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that PRF provides significant pain relief lasting over three months in patients with subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. He notes that since few studies have compared PRF versus sham, it's not possible to calculate an accurate number needed to treat. Dr. Rosenblum mentions there are no comparative studies comparing PRF to the intercostal nerves versus PRF of the DRG, but both preclinical and clinical studies suggest superiority of the DRG approach. He adds that evidence for spinal cord stimulation for postherpetic neuralgia is of low quality, and more research is needed given its invasive nature. Sympathetic Blocks and Conclusion Dr. Rosenblum notes there is low-quality evidence for using sympathetic blocks to treat acute herpes zoster-related pain, but no evidence for their use in postherpetic neuralgia. He mentions that risks of treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone are unclear and therefore not recommended. Dr. Rosenblum concludes by praising the comprehensive article he's been discussing and mentions it provides insight for treating his patients, including a recent case of trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia. Personal Clinical Approach and Closing Dr. Rosenblum shares that he doesn't currently perform PRF in his practice, partly because it's not standard of care and not well reimbursed, creating barriers to implementation. However, he notes that PRF is a very safe procedure as it doesn't involve burning tissue. For his patient with trigeminal neuralgia pain, Dr. Rosenblum plans to try a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as the least invasive intervention before considering injecting the trigeminal nerves at the foramen, in addition to pharmacotherapy. He concludes by thanking listeners, encouraging them to check the show notes and links, mentioning institutional memberships and shadowing opportunities, and asking listeners to rate and share the podcast. Q&A No Q&A session in this lecture Pain Management Board Prep   Ultrasound Training REGISTER TODAY!   Create an Account and get Free Access to the PainExam- NRAP Academy Community Highlights     David Rosenblum, MD, currently serves as the Director of Pain Management at Maimonides Medical Center and AABP Integrative Pain Care.  As a member of the Department of Anesthesiology, he is involved in teaching, research, CME activities, and was key faculty in developing the anesthesiology residency's regional anesthesia block rotation, as well as institutional wide acute and chronic pain management protocols to ensure safe and effective pain management. He currently is a managing partner in a multi-physician private pain practice, AABP Integrative Pain Care, located in Brooklyn, NY. He is one of the earliest interventional pain physicians to integrate ultrasound guidance to improve the safety and accuracy of interventional pain procedures.   Awards New York Magazine: Top Doctors: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Schneps Media: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2025 Schneps Media - Brooklyn Courier Life: 2021, 2022, 2023   Dr. Rosenblum written several book chapters on Peripheral Neuromodulation, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Pharmacology.  He has published numerous noteworthy articles and most recently is developing the ASIPP Guidelines for Peripheral Neuromodulation in the treatment of chronic pain. He has been named several times in NY Magazine's Best Pain Management Doctor List, Nassau County's Best Pain Physician, has appeared on NY1 News, and has made several appearances on XM Radio's Doctor Talk. He currently is lecturing on a national and international level and has partnered with the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), IASP Mexican Chapter, Eastern Pain Association (EPA), the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), World Academy of Pain Medicine United, as well as various other organizations, to support educational events and develop new courses. Since 2008, he has helped over 3000 physicians pass the Pain Management Boards, and has been at the forefront of utilizing ultrasound guidance to perform pain procedures.  He now hosts the PainExam podcast, AnesthesiaExam Podcast, PMRExam Podcasts and uses this platform to promote the safe and effective use of ultrasound in the performance of various procedures such as Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Caudal Epidurals, Selective Nerve Root Blocks, Cluneal Nerve Blocks, Ganglion impar Blocks, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Brachial Plexus Blocks, Joint Injections and much more!   Doctor Rosenblum created the NRAP (Neuromodulation Regional Anesthesia and Pain) Academy  and travels to teach various courses focused on Pain Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures and Regional Anesthesia Techniques.  Dr. Rosenblum is persistent when it comes to eliminating pain and has gained a reputation among his patients for thinking "outside the box" and implements ultrasound guidance to deposit medications, biologics (PRP, Bone Marrow Aspirate, etc.) and Peripheral Nerve Stimulators near pain generators. He is currently treating patients in his great neck and Brooklyn office.  For an appointment go to AABPpain.com or call Brooklyn     718 436 7246 Reference Adriaansen, E. J., Jacobs, J. G., Vernooij, L. M., van Wijck, A. J., Cohen, S. P., Huygen, F. J., & Rijsdijk, M. (2025). 8. Herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia. Pain Practice, 25(1), e13423.

Summary In this episode of the Pain Exam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum provides a comprehensive review of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), focusing on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Dr. Rosenblum explains that postherpetic neuralgia affects approximately 25% of patients with acute herpes zoster, causing debilitating unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes. He discusses the three phases of herpes zoster: acute (up to 30 days), subacute (up to 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (pain continuing beyond 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum identifies risk factors for developing PHN, including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. He details the pathophysiology involving peripheral and central sensitization, and explains different phenotypes of PHN that can guide treatment approaches. For treatment, Dr. Rosenblum reviews various options including antiviral medications (which should be started within 72 hours of onset), corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants (particularly tricyclics and SNRIs), antiepileptics (gabapentin and pregabalin), topical agents (lidocaine and capsaicin), and interventional procedures such as epidural injections and pulsed radiofrequency. He emphasizes that prevention through vaccination with Shingrix is highly effective, with 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old and 89% effectiveness in those over 70. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's currently treating a patient with trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia and is considering a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as a minimally invasive intervention before attempting more invasive procedures. Chapters Introduction to the Pain Exam Podcast and Topic Overview Dr. David Rosenblum introduces the Pain Exam Podcast, mentioning that it covers painful disorders, alternative treatments, and practice management. He explains that this episode focuses on herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia as board preparation for fellows starting their programs, with ABA boards coming up in September. Dr. Rosenblum notes that he's not only preparing listeners for boards but also seeking the latest information to help treat his own patients with this notoriously difficult disease. Upcoming Conferences and Educational Opportunities Dr. Rosenblum announces several upcoming conferences including Aspen in July, Pain Week in September, and events with NYSIP and the Latin American Pain Society. He mentions he'll be teaching ultrasound and regenerative medicine at these events. Dr. Rosenblum invites listeners to sign up at nrappain.org to access a community discussing regenerative medicine, ultrasound-guided pain medicine, regional anesthesia, and board preparation. He also offers ultrasound training in New York and elsewhere, with upcoming sessions in Manhattan on July 12th and October 4th, plus private shadowing opportunities. Overview of Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum defines postherpetic neuralgia as typically a unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes after acute herpes zoster infection. He states that the incidence of acute herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per thousand person-years, and one in four patients with acute herpes zoster-related pain will transition into postherpetic neuralgia. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that while this condition won't kill patients, it can be extremely debilitating and significantly reduce quality of life. Treatment Options Overview Dr. Rosenblum reviews treatment options according to the WHO pain ladder, including tricyclics like nortriptyline and antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin. He explains that if pain is not significantly reduced, interventional treatments like epidural injections with local anesthetics and corticosteroids or pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglion are options. For postherpetic neuralgia specifically, Dr. Rosenblum notes that preferred treatments include transdermal capsaicin, lidocaine, or oral drugs such as antidepressants or antiepileptics. Phases of Herpes Zoster and Definitions Dr. Rosenblum outlines the three phases during herpes zoster reactivation: acute herpes zoster-related pain (lasting maximum 30 days), subacute herpes zoster-related pain (pain after healing of vesicles but disappearing within 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (typically defined as pain continuing after 3 months). He mentions that acute herpes zoster pain often begins with prodromal pain starting a few days before the appearance of the rash. Incidence and Risk Factors Dr. Rosenblum states that the incidence of herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per 1,000 person-years, with approximately 5-30% of cases leading to postherpetic neuralgia. He identifies risk factors including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. Dr. Rosenblum describes the clinical manifestations as a mosaic of somatosensory symptoms including burning, deep aching pain, tingling, itching, stabbing, often associated with tactile and cold allodynia. Impact on Quality of Life Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that postherpetic neuralgia can be debilitating, impacting both physical and emotional functioning and causing decreased quality of life. He notes that it leads to fatigue, insomnia, depression, anorexia, anxiety, and emotional distress. Dr. Rosenblum stresses the importance of exploring methods for prevention of postherpetic neuralgia and optimizing pain treatment for both subacute herpes zoster-related pain and postherpetic neuralgia. Literature Review and Pathophysiology Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's discussing a literature review from 2024 that updates previous practical guidelines published in 2011. He explains the pathophysiology of postherpetic neuralgia, which involves sensitization of peripheral and sensory nerves from damage. Dr. Rosenblum describes how inflammatory mediators reduce the stimulus threshold of nociceptors and increase responsiveness, resulting in pathological spontaneous discharges, lower thresholds for thermal and mechanical stimuli, and hyperalgesia. Central Sensitization and Nerve Damage Dr. Rosenblum explains that central sensitization results from peripheral nociceptor hyperactivity leading to plastic changes in the central nervous system, involving amplification of pain signals and reduced inhibition. He describes how nerve damage in postherpetic neuralgia patients results from neuronal death due to severe inflammatory stimuli or secondary to neuronal swelling. Dr. Rosenblum notes that motor defects occur in 0.05% of patients with herpes zoster, observed as abdominal pseudohernias or motor weakness of limbs limited to the affected myotome. Different Phenotypes and Classification Dr. Rosenblum discusses different phenotypes of postherpetic neuralgia and how phenotyping can determine treatment. He explains that there are several ways to classify the phenotypes, with one categorizing patients into three subtypes: sensory loss (most common), thermal gain, and thermal loss with mechanical gain. Dr. Rosenblum describes the mechanistic categorization, including the irritable nociceptive phenotype characterized by preserved sensation, profound dynamic mechanical allodynia, reduced pressure pain threshold, and relief with local anesthetic infiltration. Deafferentation Phenotype Dr. Rosenblum explains that a deafferentation phenotype may arise from destruction of neurons by the virus in the dorsal root ganglion. This phenotype is characterized by sensory loss, including thermal and vibratory sensation without prominent thermal allodynia. He notes that mechanical allodynia can occur secondary to A-beta fibers activating spinothalamic pathways (known as phenotypic switches), along with pressure hyperalgesia and temporal summation suggesting central sensitization. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that in one study, this phenotype was present in 10.8% of individuals, and for those with deafferentation pain, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, and neuromodulatory therapies like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be beneficial. Diagnosis and Physical Examination Dr. Rosenblum discusses the diagnosis of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, emphasizing the importance of physical examination. He explains that diagnosis is based on the rash, redness, papules, and vesicles in the painful dermatomes, with healing vesicles showing crust formation. Dr. Rosenblum notes that the rash is generally unilateral and does not cross the midline of the body. In postherpetic neuralgia patients, he mentions that scarring, hyper or hypopigmentation is often visible, with allodynia present in 45-75% of affected patients. Sensory Testing and Assessment Dr. Rosenblum explains that in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, a mosaic of somatosensory alterations can occur, manifesting as hyperalgesia, allodynia, and sensory loss. These can be quantified by quantitative sensory testing, which assesses somatosensory functions, dermal detection thresholds for perception of cold, warmth, and paradoxical heat sensations. He notes that testing can provide clues regarding underlying mechanisms of pain, impaired conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation suggesting central sensitization, and information about the type of nerve damage and surviving afferent neurons. Prevention Through Vaccination Dr. Rosenblum discusses prevention of acute herpes zoster through vaccination, noting that the risk increases with reduced immunity. He highlights studies evaluating Shingrix, a vaccine for herpes zoster, which showed 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old with healthy immune systems and 89% effectiveness in patients over 70. Dr. Rosenblum states that Shingrix is 89-91% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia development in patients with healthy immune systems and 68-91% effective in those with weakened or underlying conditions. Treatment Objectives Dr. Rosenblum outlines the treatment objectives for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. For acute herpes zoster, objectives include relieving pain, reducing severity and duration of pain, accelerating recovery of epidermal defects, and preventing secondary infections. For postherpetic neuralgia, the objectives are pain alleviation and improved quality of life. Dr. Rosenblum lists available treatments including psychotherapy, opiates, antidepressants, antiepileptics, NMDA antagonists, topical agents, and interventional treatments such as epidurals, pulsed radiofrequency, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation. Antiviral Medications Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that antiviral drugs should be started within 72 hours of clinical onset, mentioning famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. He notes there is no evidence for effectiveness after 72 hours in patients with uncomplicated herpes zoster. Dr. Rosenblum provides dosing information: for immunocompetent patients, famciclovir 500mg and valacyclovir 1000mg three times daily for seven days; for immunocompromised patients, famciclovir 1000mg three times daily for 10 days, while acyclovir should be given IV in the immunocompromised. Benefits of Antiviral Therapy Dr. Rosenblum explains that antiviral medication accelerates the disappearance of vesicles and crusts, promotes healing of skin lesions, and prevents new lesions from forming. By inhibiting viral replication, he notes that antiviral therapy likely reduces nerve damage, resulting in reduced incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and should be started as soon as possible. Corticosteroids and Opioids Dr. Rosenblum discusses the use of corticosteroids, noting that when added to antiviral medications, they may reduce the severity of acute herpes zoster-related pain, though increased healing of skin lesions was not observed in one study. He mentions that a Cochrane review found oral corticosteroids ineffective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Regarding opioids, Dr. Rosenblum states they are commonly used alongside antivirals for controlling acute herpes zoster pain, with tramadol having a number needed to treat (NNT) of 4.7 and strong opioids having an NNT of 4.3 for 50% pain reduction. Methadone and Antidepressants Dr. Rosenblum discusses methadone as an NMDA receptor antagonist used in acute and chronic pain management, though he notes there are no randomized controlled trials determining its efficacy in acute herpes zoster pain or postherpetic neuralgia. He explains that methadone can modulate pain stimuli by inhibiting the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, resulting in decreased development of hyperalgesia and opioid tolerance, but has side effects including constipation, nausea, sedation, and QT prolongation that can trigger torsades de pointes. Dr. Rosenblum identifies antidepressants as first-line therapy for postherpetic neuralgia, including tricyclics and SNRIs, with tricyclics having an NNT of 3 and SNRIs an NNT of 6.4 for 50% pain reduction. Antiepileptics and Pharmacological Treatment Summary Dr. Rosenblum discusses antiepileptics like gabapentin and pregabalin for postherpetic neuralgia. He cites two trials measuring gabapentin's effect, concluding it was effective compared to placebo with a pooled NNT of 4.4, while pregabalin had an NNT of 4.9. Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that pharmacological treatment is well established for subacute herpes zoster pain, though new high-quality evidence has been lacking since the last update in 2011. Topical Agents Dr. Rosenblum discusses local anesthetic topical agents including lidocaine and capsaicin creams and patches. He notes that 8% capsaicin provided significant pain reduction during 2-8 weeks, while 5% lidocaine patches provided moderate pain relief after eight weeks of treatment. Dr. Rosenblum also mentions acute herpes zoster intracutaneous injections, citing a study where single intracutaneous injection with methylprednisolone combined with ropivacaine versus saline alone showed significant difference in VAS score at 1 and 4 weeks post-intervention favoring the intervention group. Intracutaneous Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses the effect of repetitive intracutaneous injections with ropivacaine and methylprednisolone every 48 hours for one week. He cites a randomized control trial comparing antivirals plus analgesics to antivirals plus analgesics and repeat injections, finding the intervention group had significantly shorter duration of pain, lower VAS scores, and lower incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (6.4% vs 28% at 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum notes that a potential side effect of cutaneous methylprednisolone injection is fat atrophy, though this wasn't reported in the study. Summary of Local Anesthetics Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that there are no new studies reporting the efficacy of capsaicin 8% for postherpetic neuralgia, but it remains widely used in clinical practice and is approved in several countries. He notes that lidocaine patches can reduce pain intensity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia but may be more beneficial in patients with allodynia. Dr. Rosenblum adds that intracutaneous injections may be helpful for short periods, while repetitive injections with local anesthetics may reduce VAS scores for up to six months but can cause subcutaneous fat atrophy. Interventional Treatments: Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventional treatments, noting that previous guidelines found epidural injection with corticosteroids and local anesthetic as add-on therapy superior to standard care alone for up to one month in managing acute herpes zoster pain. He mentions a randomized controlled trial showing no difference between interlaminar and transforaminal epidural steroid injections for up to three months after the procedure. Dr. Rosenblum adds that previous guidelines reported high-quality evidence that paravertebral injections of corticosteroids or local anesthetic reduces pain in the active phase of herpes zoster. Comparative Studies on Injection Approaches Dr. Rosenblum discusses a trial comparing efficacy of repetitive paravertebral blocks with ropivacaine versus dexmedetomidine to prevent postherpetic neuralgia, which showed significantly lower incidence of zoster-related pain one month after therapy in the dexmedetomidine group, with effects still significant at three months. He also mentions a study comparing steroid injections administered via interlaminar versus transforaminal approaches, finding both groups had significantly lower VAS scores at 1 and 3 months follow-up compared to baseline, though this could align with the natural course of herpes zoster. Timing of Interventions and Continuous Epidural Blockade Dr. Rosenblum cites a retrospective study showing that transforaminal epidural injections administered for acute herpes zoster-related pain were associated with significantly shorter time to pain relief compared to those performed in the subacute phase. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial finding that continuous epidural blockade combined with opioids and gabapentin reduced NRS pain scores more than analgesic drug treatments alone during three-day follow-up, though both studies were low-quality. Interventions for Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventions specifically for postherpetic neuralgia, citing a small randomized controlled trial that demonstrated decreased NRS pain scores six months post-treatment for repeat versus single epidural steroid injections (15mg vs 5mg dexamethasone) administered over 24 days. The trial also found increased likelihood of complete remission during 6-month follow-up in the group receiving repeat epidural dexamethasone, though this was low-quality evidence. Summary of Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that epidural or paravertebral injections of local anesthetic and/or glucocorticoids could be considered in treating acute herpes zoster-related pain. For subacute postherpetic neuralgia pain, he notes low-quality evidence supporting epidural injections, while for postherpetic neuralgia, evidence supports continuous epidural infusion, though also of low quality. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that none of the included studies for postherpetic neuralgia investigating epidural or paravertebral injections resulted in decreased pain compared to standard therapy. Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) Evidence Dr. Rosenblum discusses pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), noting that previous guidelines indicated moderate quality evidence that PRF of the intercostal nerve reduces pain for 6 months in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, and very low-quality evidence that PRF to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) reduces pain for 6 months. He mentions that multiple studies have been published since then assessing PRF efficacy. PRF Studies for Acute Herpes Zoster Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial with 60 patients comparing high-voltage bipolar PRF of the cervical sympathetic chain versus sham, with treatment repeated after three days in both groups. He reports that VAS scores in the PRF group at each post-interventional point (1 day, 2 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months) were significantly lower than in the sham group, and at 3 months, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was 16.7% in the PRF group compared to 40% in the sham group. PRF for Trigeminal Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum cites another randomized controlled trial evaluating high-voltage long-duration PRF of the Gasserian ganglion in 96 patients with subacute herpes-related trigeminal neuralgia, which found decreased VAS pain scores at all post-interventional time points (3, 7, 14 days and 1, 3, and 6 months) compared to the sham group. He also mentions a randomized comparative effectiveness study in 120 patients with subacute trigeminal herpes zoster, comparing a single application of high-voltage PRF to the Gasserian ganglion versus three cycles of conventional PRF treatment, finding significantly lower mean VAS pain scores for up to six months in the high-voltage PRF group. PRF Compared to Other Interventions Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial comparing PRF to short-term spinal cord stimulation, which found decreased pain and improved 36-item short-form health survey scores in both groups at six months. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial in 72 patients where PRF of spinal nerves or peripheral branches of cranial nerves combined with five-day infusion of IV lidocaine resulted in greater pain reduction, less rescue analgesia, and reduced inflammatory cytokines at two months compared to PRF with saline infusions. Dr. Rosenblum notes a major limitation of this study was not accounting for the high natural recovery rate. Summary of PRF and Final Recommendations Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that PRF provides significant pain relief lasting over three months in patients with subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. He notes that since few studies have compared PRF versus sham, it's not possible to calculate an accurate number needed to treat. Dr. Rosenblum mentions there are no comparative studies comparing PRF to the intercostal nerves versus PRF of the DRG, but both preclinical and clinical studies suggest superiority of the DRG approach. He adds that evidence for spinal cord stimulation for postherpetic neuralgia is of low quality, and more research is needed given its invasive nature. Sympathetic Blocks and Conclusion Dr. Rosenblum notes there is low-quality evidence for using sympathetic blocks to treat acute herpes zoster-related pain, but no evidence for their use in postherpetic neuralgia. He mentions that risks of treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone are unclear and therefore not recommended. Dr. Rosenblum concludes by praising the comprehensive article he's been discussing and mentions it provides insight for treating his patients, including a recent case of trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia. Personal Clinical Approach and Closing Dr. Rosenblum shares that he doesn't currently perform PRF in his practice, partly because it's not standard of care and not well reimbursed, creating barriers to implementation. However, he notes that PRF is a very safe procedure as it doesn't involve burning tissue. For his patient with trigeminal neuralgia pain, Dr. Rosenblum plans to try a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as the least invasive intervention before considering injecting the trigeminal nerves at the foramen, in addition to pharmacotherapy. He concludes by thanking listeners, encouraging them to check the show notes and links, mentioning institutional memberships and shadowing opportunities, and asking listeners to rate and share the podcast. Q&A No Q&A session in this lecture Pain Management Board Prep   Ultrasound Training REGISTER TODAY!   Create an Account and get Free Access to the PainExam- NRAP Academy Community Highlights     David Rosenblum, MD, currently serves as the Director of Pain Management at Maimonides Medical Center and AABP Integrative Pain Care.  As a member of the Department of Anesthesiology, he is involved in teaching, research, CME activities, and was key faculty in developing the anesthesiology residency's regional anesthesia block rotation, as well as institutional wide acute and chronic pain management protocols to ensure safe and effective pain management. He currently is a managing partner in a multi-physician private pain practice, AABP Integrative Pain Care, located in Brooklyn, NY. He is one of the earliest interventional pain physicians to integrate ultrasound guidance to improve the safety and accuracy of interventional pain procedures.   Awards New York Magazine: Top Doctors: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Schneps Media: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2025 Schneps Media - Brooklyn Courier Life: 2021, 2022, 2023   Dr. Rosenblum written several book chapters on Peripheral Neuromodulation, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Pharmacology.  He has published numerous noteworthy articles and most recently is developing the ASIPP Guidelines for Peripheral Neuromodulation in the treatment of chronic pain. He has been named several times in NY Magazine's Best Pain Management Doctor List, Nassau County's Best Pain Physician, has appeared on NY1 News, and has made several appearances on XM Radio's Doctor Talk. He currently is lecturing on a national and international level and has partnered with the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), IASP Mexican Chapter, Eastern Pain Association (EPA), the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), World Academy of Pain Medicine United, as well as various other organizations, to support educational events and develop new courses. Since 2008, he has helped over 3000 physicians pass the Pain Management Boards, and has been at the forefront of utilizing ultrasound guidance to perform pain procedures.  He now hosts the PainExam podcast, AnesthesiaExam Podcast, PMRExam Podcasts and uses this platform to promote the safe and effective use of ultrasound in the performance of various procedures such as Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Caudal Epidurals, Selective Nerve Root Blocks, Cluneal Nerve Blocks, Ganglion impar Blocks, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Brachial Plexus Blocks, Joint Injections and much more!   Doctor Rosenblum created the NRAP (Neuromodulation Regional Anesthesia and Pain) Academy  and travels to teach various courses focused on Pain Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures and Regional Anesthesia Techniques.  Dr. Rosenblum is persistent when it comes to eliminating pain and has gained a reputation among his patients for thinking "outside the box" and implements ultrasound guidance to deposit medications, biologics (PRP, Bone Marrow Aspirate, etc.) and Peripheral Nerve Stimulators near pain generators. He is currently treating patients in his great neck and Brooklyn office.  For an appointment go to AABPpain.com or call Brooklyn     718 436 7246 Reference Adriaansen, E. J., Jacobs, J. G., Vernooij, L. M., van Wijck, A. J., Cohen, S. P., Huygen, F. J., & Rijsdijk, M. (2025). 8. Herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia. Pain Practice, 25(1), e13423.

Summary In this episode of the Pain Exam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum provides a comprehensive review of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), focusing on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Dr. Rosenblum explains that postherpetic neuralgia affects approximately 25% of patients with acute herpes zoster, causing debilitating unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes. He discusses the three phases of herpes zoster: acute (up to 30 days), subacute (up to 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (pain continuing beyond 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum identifies risk factors for developing PHN, including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. He details the pathophysiology involving peripheral and central sensitization, and explains different phenotypes of PHN that can guide treatment approaches. For treatment, Dr. Rosenblum reviews various options including antiviral medications (which should be started within 72 hours of onset), corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants (particularly tricyclics and SNRIs), antiepileptics (gabapentin and pregabalin), topical agents (lidocaine and capsaicin), and interventional procedures such as epidural injections and pulsed radiofrequency. He emphasizes that prevention through vaccination with Shingrix is highly effective, with 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old and 89% effectiveness in those over 70. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's currently treating a patient with trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia and is considering a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as a minimally invasive intervention before attempting more invasive procedures. Chapters Introduction to the Pain Exam Podcast and Topic Overview Dr. David Rosenblum introduces the Pain Exam Podcast, mentioning that it covers painful disorders, alternative treatments, and practice management. He explains that this episode focuses on herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia as board preparation for fellows starting their programs, with ABA boards coming up in September. Dr. Rosenblum notes that he's not only preparing listeners for boards but also seeking the latest information to help treat his own patients with this notoriously difficult disease. Upcoming Conferences and Educational Opportunities Dr. Rosenblum announces several upcoming conferences including Aspen in July, Pain Week in September, and events with NYSIP and the Latin American Pain Society. He mentions he'll be teaching ultrasound and regenerative medicine at these events. Dr. Rosenblum invites listeners to sign up at nrappain.org to access a community discussing regenerative medicine, ultrasound-guided pain medicine, regional anesthesia, and board preparation. He also offers ultrasound training in New York and elsewhere, with upcoming sessions in Manhattan on July 12th and October 4th, plus private shadowing opportunities. Overview of Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum defines postherpetic neuralgia as typically a unilateral chronic pain in one or more dermatomes after acute herpes zoster infection. He states that the incidence of acute herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per thousand person-years, and one in four patients with acute herpes zoster-related pain will transition into postherpetic neuralgia. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that while this condition won't kill patients, it can be extremely debilitating and significantly reduce quality of life. Treatment Options Overview Dr. Rosenblum reviews treatment options according to the WHO pain ladder, including tricyclics like nortriptyline and antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin. He explains that if pain is not significantly reduced, interventional treatments like epidural injections with local anesthetics and corticosteroids or pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglion are options. For postherpetic neuralgia specifically, Dr. Rosenblum notes that preferred treatments include transdermal capsaicin, lidocaine, or oral drugs such as antidepressants or antiepileptics. Phases of Herpes Zoster and Definitions Dr. Rosenblum outlines the three phases during herpes zoster reactivation: acute herpes zoster-related pain (lasting maximum 30 days), subacute herpes zoster-related pain (pain after healing of vesicles but disappearing within 3 months), and postherpetic neuralgia (typically defined as pain continuing after 3 months). He mentions that acute herpes zoster pain often begins with prodromal pain starting a few days before the appearance of the rash. Incidence and Risk Factors Dr. Rosenblum states that the incidence of herpes zoster ranges between 3-5 patients per 1,000 person-years, with approximately 5-30% of cases leading to postherpetic neuralgia. He identifies risk factors including older age, female sex, immunosuppression, prodromal pain, severe rash, and greater acute pain severity. Dr. Rosenblum describes the clinical manifestations as a mosaic of somatosensory symptoms including burning, deep aching pain, tingling, itching, stabbing, often associated with tactile and cold allodynia. Impact on Quality of Life Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that postherpetic neuralgia can be debilitating, impacting both physical and emotional functioning and causing decreased quality of life. He notes that it leads to fatigue, insomnia, depression, anorexia, anxiety, and emotional distress. Dr. Rosenblum stresses the importance of exploring methods for prevention of postherpetic neuralgia and optimizing pain treatment for both subacute herpes zoster-related pain and postherpetic neuralgia. Literature Review and Pathophysiology Dr. Rosenblum mentions that he's discussing a literature review from 2024 that updates previous practical guidelines published in 2011. He explains the pathophysiology of postherpetic neuralgia, which involves sensitization of peripheral and sensory nerves from damage. Dr. Rosenblum describes how inflammatory mediators reduce the stimulus threshold of nociceptors and increase responsiveness, resulting in pathological spontaneous discharges, lower thresholds for thermal and mechanical stimuli, and hyperalgesia. Central Sensitization and Nerve Damage Dr. Rosenblum explains that central sensitization results from peripheral nociceptor hyperactivity leading to plastic changes in the central nervous system, involving amplification of pain signals and reduced inhibition. He describes how nerve damage in postherpetic neuralgia patients results from neuronal death due to severe inflammatory stimuli or secondary to neuronal swelling. Dr. Rosenblum notes that motor defects occur in 0.05% of patients with herpes zoster, observed as abdominal pseudohernias or motor weakness of limbs limited to the affected myotome. Different Phenotypes and Classification Dr. Rosenblum discusses different phenotypes of postherpetic neuralgia and how phenotyping can determine treatment. He explains that there are several ways to classify the phenotypes, with one categorizing patients into three subtypes: sensory loss (most common), thermal gain, and thermal loss with mechanical gain. Dr. Rosenblum describes the mechanistic categorization, including the irritable nociceptive phenotype characterized by preserved sensation, profound dynamic mechanical allodynia, reduced pressure pain threshold, and relief with local anesthetic infiltration. Deafferentation Phenotype Dr. Rosenblum explains that a deafferentation phenotype may arise from destruction of neurons by the virus in the dorsal root ganglion. This phenotype is characterized by sensory loss, including thermal and vibratory sensation without prominent thermal allodynia. He notes that mechanical allodynia can occur secondary to A-beta fibers activating spinothalamic pathways (known as phenotypic switches), along with pressure hyperalgesia and temporal summation suggesting central sensitization. Dr. Rosenblum mentions that in one study, this phenotype was present in 10.8% of individuals, and for those with deafferentation pain, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, and neuromodulatory therapies like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be beneficial. Diagnosis and Physical Examination Dr. Rosenblum discusses the diagnosis of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, emphasizing the importance of physical examination. He explains that diagnosis is based on the rash, redness, papules, and vesicles in the painful dermatomes, with healing vesicles showing crust formation. Dr. Rosenblum notes that the rash is generally unilateral and does not cross the midline of the body. In postherpetic neuralgia patients, he mentions that scarring, hyper or hypopigmentation is often visible, with allodynia present in 45-75% of affected patients. Sensory Testing and Assessment Dr. Rosenblum explains that in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, a mosaic of somatosensory alterations can occur, manifesting as hyperalgesia, allodynia, and sensory loss. These can be quantified by quantitative sensory testing, which assesses somatosensory functions, dermal detection thresholds for perception of cold, warmth, and paradoxical heat sensations. He notes that testing can provide clues regarding underlying mechanisms of pain, impaired conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation suggesting central sensitization, and information about the type of nerve damage and surviving afferent neurons. Prevention Through Vaccination Dr. Rosenblum discusses prevention of acute herpes zoster through vaccination, noting that the risk increases with reduced immunity. He highlights studies evaluating Shingrix, a vaccine for herpes zoster, which showed 97% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster in patients 50-69 years old with healthy immune systems and 89% effectiveness in patients over 70. Dr. Rosenblum states that Shingrix is 89-91% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia development in patients with healthy immune systems and 68-91% effective in those with weakened or underlying conditions. Treatment Objectives Dr. Rosenblum outlines the treatment objectives for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. For acute herpes zoster, objectives include relieving pain, reducing severity and duration of pain, accelerating recovery of epidermal defects, and preventing secondary infections. For postherpetic neuralgia, the objectives are pain alleviation and improved quality of life. Dr. Rosenblum lists available treatments including psychotherapy, opiates, antidepressants, antiepileptics, NMDA antagonists, topical agents, and interventional treatments such as epidurals, pulsed radiofrequency, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation. Antiviral Medications Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that antiviral drugs should be started within 72 hours of clinical onset, mentioning famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. He notes there is no evidence for effectiveness after 72 hours in patients with uncomplicated herpes zoster. Dr. Rosenblum provides dosing information: for immunocompetent patients, famciclovir 500mg and valacyclovir 1000mg three times daily for seven days; for immunocompromised patients, famciclovir 1000mg three times daily for 10 days, while acyclovir should be given IV in the immunocompromised. Benefits of Antiviral Therapy Dr. Rosenblum explains that antiviral medication accelerates the disappearance of vesicles and crusts, promotes healing of skin lesions, and prevents new lesions from forming. By inhibiting viral replication, he notes that antiviral therapy likely reduces nerve damage, resulting in reduced incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and should be started as soon as possible. Corticosteroids and Opioids Dr. Rosenblum discusses the use of corticosteroids, noting that when added to antiviral medications, they may reduce the severity of acute herpes zoster-related pain, though increased healing of skin lesions was not observed in one study. He mentions that a Cochrane review found oral corticosteroids ineffective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Regarding opioids, Dr. Rosenblum states they are commonly used alongside antivirals for controlling acute herpes zoster pain, with tramadol having a number needed to treat (NNT) of 4.7 and strong opioids having an NNT of 4.3 for 50% pain reduction. Methadone and Antidepressants Dr. Rosenblum discusses methadone as an NMDA receptor antagonist used in acute and chronic pain management, though he notes there are no randomized controlled trials determining its efficacy in acute herpes zoster pain or postherpetic neuralgia. He explains that methadone can modulate pain stimuli by inhibiting the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, resulting in decreased development of hyperalgesia and opioid tolerance, but has side effects including constipation, nausea, sedation, and QT prolongation that can trigger torsades de pointes. Dr. Rosenblum identifies antidepressants as first-line therapy for postherpetic neuralgia, including tricyclics and SNRIs, with tricyclics having an NNT of 3 and SNRIs an NNT of 6.4 for 50% pain reduction. Antiepileptics and Pharmacological Treatment Summary Dr. Rosenblum discusses antiepileptics like gabapentin and pregabalin for postherpetic neuralgia. He cites two trials measuring gabapentin's effect, concluding it was effective compared to placebo with a pooled NNT of 4.4, while pregabalin had an NNT of 4.9. Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that pharmacological treatment is well established for subacute herpes zoster pain, though new high-quality evidence has been lacking since the last update in 2011. Topical Agents Dr. Rosenblum discusses local anesthetic topical agents including lidocaine and capsaicin creams and patches. He notes that 8% capsaicin provided significant pain reduction during 2-8 weeks, while 5% lidocaine patches provided moderate pain relief after eight weeks of treatment. Dr. Rosenblum also mentions acute herpes zoster intracutaneous injections, citing a study where single intracutaneous injection with methylprednisolone combined with ropivacaine versus saline alone showed significant difference in VAS score at 1 and 4 weeks post-intervention favoring the intervention group. Intracutaneous Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses the effect of repetitive intracutaneous injections with ropivacaine and methylprednisolone every 48 hours for one week. He cites a randomized control trial comparing antivirals plus analgesics to antivirals plus analgesics and repeat injections, finding the intervention group had significantly shorter duration of pain, lower VAS scores, and lower incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (6.4% vs 28% at 3 months). Dr. Rosenblum notes that a potential side effect of cutaneous methylprednisolone injection is fat atrophy, though this wasn't reported in the study. Summary of Local Anesthetics Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that there are no new studies reporting the efficacy of capsaicin 8% for postherpetic neuralgia, but it remains widely used in clinical practice and is approved in several countries. He notes that lidocaine patches can reduce pain intensity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia but may be more beneficial in patients with allodynia. Dr. Rosenblum adds that intracutaneous injections may be helpful for short periods, while repetitive injections with local anesthetics may reduce VAS scores for up to six months but can cause subcutaneous fat atrophy. Interventional Treatments: Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventional treatments, noting that previous guidelines found epidural injection with corticosteroids and local anesthetic as add-on therapy superior to standard care alone for up to one month in managing acute herpes zoster pain. He mentions a randomized controlled trial showing no difference between interlaminar and transforaminal epidural steroid injections for up to three months after the procedure. Dr. Rosenblum adds that previous guidelines reported high-quality evidence that paravertebral injections of corticosteroids or local anesthetic reduces pain in the active phase of herpes zoster. Comparative Studies on Injection Approaches Dr. Rosenblum discusses a trial comparing efficacy of repetitive paravertebral blocks with ropivacaine versus dexmedetomidine to prevent postherpetic neuralgia, which showed significantly lower incidence of zoster-related pain one month after therapy in the dexmedetomidine group, with effects still significant at three months. He also mentions a study comparing steroid injections administered via interlaminar versus transforaminal approaches, finding both groups had significantly lower VAS scores at 1 and 3 months follow-up compared to baseline, though this could align with the natural course of herpes zoster. Timing of Interventions and Continuous Epidural Blockade Dr. Rosenblum cites a retrospective study showing that transforaminal epidural injections administered for acute herpes zoster-related pain were associated with significantly shorter time to pain relief compared to those performed in the subacute phase. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial finding that continuous epidural blockade combined with opioids and gabapentin reduced NRS pain scores more than analgesic drug treatments alone during three-day follow-up, though both studies were low-quality. Interventions for Postherpetic Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum discusses interventions specifically for postherpetic neuralgia, citing a small randomized controlled trial that demonstrated decreased NRS pain scores six months post-treatment for repeat versus single epidural steroid injections (15mg vs 5mg dexamethasone) administered over 24 days. The trial also found increased likelihood of complete remission during 6-month follow-up in the group receiving repeat epidural dexamethasone, though this was low-quality evidence. Summary of Epidural and Paravertebral Injections Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that epidural or paravertebral injections of local anesthetic and/or glucocorticoids could be considered in treating acute herpes zoster-related pain. For subacute postherpetic neuralgia pain, he notes low-quality evidence supporting epidural injections, while for postherpetic neuralgia, evidence supports continuous epidural infusion, though also of low quality. Dr. Rosenblum emphasizes that none of the included studies for postherpetic neuralgia investigating epidural or paravertebral injections resulted in decreased pain compared to standard therapy. Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) Evidence Dr. Rosenblum discusses pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), noting that previous guidelines indicated moderate quality evidence that PRF of the intercostal nerve reduces pain for 6 months in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, and very low-quality evidence that PRF to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) reduces pain for 6 months. He mentions that multiple studies have been published since then assessing PRF efficacy. PRF Studies for Acute Herpes Zoster Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial with 60 patients comparing high-voltage bipolar PRF of the cervical sympathetic chain versus sham, with treatment repeated after three days in both groups. He reports that VAS scores in the PRF group at each post-interventional point (1 day, 2 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months) were significantly lower than in the sham group, and at 3 months, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was 16.7% in the PRF group compared to 40% in the sham group. PRF for Trigeminal Neuralgia Dr. Rosenblum cites another randomized controlled trial evaluating high-voltage long-duration PRF of the Gasserian ganglion in 96 patients with subacute herpes-related trigeminal neuralgia, which found decreased VAS pain scores at all post-interventional time points (3, 7, 14 days and 1, 3, and 6 months) compared to the sham group. He also mentions a randomized comparative effectiveness study in 120 patients with subacute trigeminal herpes zoster, comparing a single application of high-voltage PRF to the Gasserian ganglion versus three cycles of conventional PRF treatment, finding significantly lower mean VAS pain scores for up to six months in the high-voltage PRF group. PRF Compared to Other Interventions Dr. Rosenblum discusses a randomized controlled trial comparing PRF to short-term spinal cord stimulation, which found decreased pain and improved 36-item short-form health survey scores in both groups at six months. He also mentions a randomized controlled trial in 72 patients where PRF of spinal nerves or peripheral branches of cranial nerves combined with five-day infusion of IV lidocaine resulted in greater pain reduction, less rescue analgesia, and reduced inflammatory cytokines at two months compared to PRF with saline infusions. Dr. Rosenblum notes a major limitation of this study was not accounting for the high natural recovery rate. Summary of PRF and Final Recommendations Dr. Rosenblum summarizes that PRF provides significant pain relief lasting over three months in patients with subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. He notes that since few studies have compared PRF versus sham, it's not possible to calculate an accurate number needed to treat. Dr. Rosenblum mentions there are no comparative studies comparing PRF to the intercostal nerves versus PRF of the DRG, but both preclinical and clinical studies suggest superiority of the DRG approach. He adds that evidence for spinal cord stimulation for postherpetic neuralgia is of low quality, and more research is needed given its invasive nature. Sympathetic Blocks and Conclusion Dr. Rosenblum notes there is low-quality evidence for using sympathetic blocks to treat acute herpes zoster-related pain, but no evidence for their use in postherpetic neuralgia. He mentions that risks of treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone are unclear and therefore not recommended. Dr. Rosenblum concludes by praising the comprehensive article he's been discussing and mentions it provides insight for treating his patients, including a recent case of trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia. Personal Clinical Approach and Closing Dr. Rosenblum shares that he doesn't currently perform PRF in his practice, partly because it's not standard of care and not well reimbursed, creating barriers to implementation. However, he notes that PRF is a very safe procedure as it doesn't involve burning tissue. For his patient with trigeminal neuralgia pain, Dr. Rosenblum plans to try a topical sphenopalatine ganglion block as the least invasive intervention before considering injecting the trigeminal nerves at the foramen, in addition to pharmacotherapy. He concludes by thanking listeners, encouraging them to check the show notes and links, mentioning institutional memberships and shadowing opportunities, and asking listeners to rate and share the podcast. Q&A No Q&A session in this lecture Pain Management Board Prep   Ultrasound Training REGISTER TODAY!   Create an Account and get Free Access to the PainExam- NRAP Academy Community Highlights     David Rosenblum, MD, currently serves as the Director of Pain Management at Maimonides Medical Center and AABP Integrative Pain Care.  As a member of the Department of Anesthesiology, he is involved in teaching, research, CME activities, and was key faculty in developing the anesthesiology residency's regional anesthesia block rotation, as well as institutional wide acute and chronic pain management protocols to ensure safe and effective pain management. He currently is a managing partner in a multi-physician private pain practice, AABP Integrative Pain Care, located in Brooklyn, NY. He is one of the earliest interventional pain physicians to integrate ultrasound guidance to improve the safety and accuracy of interventional pain procedures.   Awards New York Magazine: Top Doctors: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Schneps Media: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2025 Schneps Media - Brooklyn Courier Life: 2021, 2022, 2023   Dr. Rosenblum written several book chapters on Peripheral Neuromodulation, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Pharmacology.  He has published numerous noteworthy articles and most recently is developing the ASIPP Guidelines for Peripheral Neuromodulation in the treatment of chronic pain. He has been named several times in NY Magazine's Best Pain Management Doctor List, Nassau County's Best Pain Physician, has appeared on NY1 News, and has made several appearances on XM Radio's Doctor Talk. He currently is lecturing on a national and international level and has partnered with the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), IASP Mexican Chapter, Eastern Pain Association (EPA), the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), World Academy of Pain Medicine United, as well as various other organizations, to support educational events and develop new courses. Since 2008, he has helped over 3000 physicians pass the Pain Management Boards, and has been at the forefront of utilizing ultrasound guidance to perform pain procedures.  He now hosts the PainExam podcast, AnesthesiaExam Podcast, PMRExam Podcasts and uses this platform to promote the safe and effective use of ultrasound in the performance of various procedures such as Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Caudal Epidurals, Selective Nerve Root Blocks, Cluneal Nerve Blocks, Ganglion impar Blocks, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Brachial Plexus Blocks, Joint Injections and much more!   Doctor Rosenblum created the NRAP (Neuromodulation Regional Anesthesia and Pain) Academy  and travels to teach various courses focused on Pain Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures and Regional Anesthesia Techniques.  Dr. Rosenblum is persistent when it comes to eliminating pain and has gained a reputation among his patients for thinking "outside the box" and implements ultrasound guidance to deposit medications, biologics (PRP, Bone Marrow Aspirate, etc.) and Peripheral Nerve Stimulators near pain generators. He is currently treating patients in his great neck and Brooklyn office.  For an appointment go to AABPpain.com or call Brooklyn     718 436 7246 Reference Adriaansen, E. J., Jacobs, J. G., Vernooij, L. M., van Wijck, A. J., Cohen, S. P., Huygen, F. J., & Rijsdijk, M. (2025). 8. Herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia. Pain Practice, 25(1), e13423.

Even if a medical intervention isn't in your birth plan, you should still be educated on it; because, at the end of the day, no one can predict their birth!  Today is all about: epidurals. Joining me today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Erin Capnerhurst. Erin is a wife, mother of three, and a Registered Nurse who has been supporting families through pregnancy and childbirth for 15 years in the hospital, clinic, and birth education settings. Most recently, Erin earned her Prenatal Yoga Teacher certification with the Prenatal Yoga Center!  Are there different types of epidurals? How should you push with an epidural? Is there only one position to push in when you get the epidural? Let's dive in. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don't forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for up to 40% off your first order (including their already discounted plans and subscriptions) at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon! 

En la Mesa de Redacción, Roger de Gràcia, Marina Martínez Vicens y Eulàlia Rosa nos hemos alarmado con los casos que están ocurriendo en algunos hospitales de España, que no disponen de epidural y las mujeres que acuden a parir allí lo tienen que hacer irremediablemente con dolor. También hemos descubierto otras historias curiosas de la semana: hemos conocido a gente que se ha cambiado de nombre y nos hemos acercado al congreso internacional sobre menopausia más importante del mundo hecho en lengua castellana.

SPOILER WARNING OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE SONG OF ACHILLES BY MADELINE MILLERCONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses topics of murder, war, and other violent imagery. Please check the content warnings on these books before reading them so you are aware of other things included that we didn't explicitly discuss. Maggie and Jillian commiserate about their experience reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. They cried because those boys were so sweet, they cried because that war was so brutal, and they cried in the face of the unending march toward a fate that our hero's could not avoid. The pain of being doomed by the narrative is truly like no other. And to think Maggie finished this book ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. F.We hope you enjoyed this book as much as we did but if you didn't DON'T TELL US WE ARE NOT YET IN THE EMOTIONAL SPACE FOR CRITICISM. Leave us a review! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @apodcastofsmutanddragonsMaggie: @themargaretlibraryJillian: @jillian.reads.smut (instagram)@jilliankiechlinart (tiktok)Business inquiries and/or say hi: apodcastofsmutanddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mark, Henry, and Gary (we are Kate-less unfortunately this week) for discussion of epidural steroid injections for adults with radicular back pain, post a fib ablation management, and oral semaglutide for high-risk patients with Type 2 DM

Hoy vas a conocer el relato de Rocío Pasteró, que tuvo un parto hospitalario instrumentalizado (con fórceps). Su experiencia fue positiva, sobre todo cuando un segundo anestesista le puso la epidural por segunda vez (sacando la primera cánula que le habían pinchado) porque no le hacía efecto, y descubrieron que tenía un coágulo que no permitía el paso de la medicación. Espero que disfrutes este episodio, ¡clica PLAY y empezamos! ************************ Por petición popular, por fin me he decidido a grabar mis propios relatos de parto - y me hace mucha ilusión compartirlos contigo, porque además vendrá con una invitación especial. Si los quieres escuchar suscríbete para recibir el acceso, porque no voy a poner mi episodio aquí en la biblioteca, sino en un espacio privado. El enlace para apuntarte y escuchar el episodio es https://www.planetaparto.es/isa

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Eve Wellness - supplements that become your body's new best friend. In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Beatrice. Some of the topics we cover:Trying to conceive for 2 yearsFertility Therapist Spontaneous pregnancy Midwifery CareNIPTYour Birth Project and Antenatal ClassesWaters broke at home, labour didn't startMisoprostol inductionGood hospital midwives EpiduralInterventions after long pushing stageIssues with cord preventing baby coming downBirth CareLactation Consultant Nipple Shield Pelvic Floor PhysioYour Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links: Airdoctorpro.com code BIRTHHOUR for up to $400 off! Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course - use code 100OFF for $100 off. Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course)  Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! You can now gift memberships to Patreon here! Carolyn's first birth story can be found here. 

Send us a textWelcome to the May Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. If you have been wondering what you should plan to eat after giving birth, we've got the answers in today's episode, and we think they'll surprise you! For today's regular episode, we answer the following:Can you remove an epidural for pushing?Can the cervix swell shut if you push before it is fully dilated?Can you prevent a tear in a precipitous birth when the baby comes flying out?Can I still have a VBAC if I had a big baby and didn't dilate in my first birth? Is it possible that my body doesn't go into labor?Does delayed cord clamping cause jaundice?Is there anything that can be done to prevent tearing in a precipitous birthIn the extended version, available on Apple subscriptions and Patreon, we further discuss:Anxiety around the anticipation of your second birth;current evidence on stillbirth rates after age 35 (all the data!); andbreastfeeding through pregnancy and into tandem nursing.Finally, in quickies, we touch on sushi in pregnancy, bleeding too much and cord clamping, when a baby can first have water, how to lower fasting blood sugars, and so much more plus...how Cynthia and Trisha met.Oh, and one more thing: Are you a folder or a squisher with your TP habits?**********Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.comInstagram @downtobirthshowCall us at 802-GET-DOWN Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube! Work with Cynthia: 203-952-7299 HypnoBirthingCT.com Work with Trisha: 734-649-6294 Please remember we don't provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

PRP in the Epidural Space for Radiculopathy Brooklyn Based Pain Physician, David Rosenblum, MD known for his work publishing and teaching Regenerative Pain Medicine and Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures hosts this podcast covering the latest and most advanced concepts in Pain Medicine. Summary Dr. David Rosenblum delivered a comprehensive lecture covering several key topics in pain management. He discussed his upcoming speaking engagements at PainWeek, ASPN and great upcoming meetings like the Latin American Pain Society, and other conferences. Dr. Rosenblum shared his extensive experience with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) epidural injections, reviewing multiple research studies that support their efficacy. He highlighted three significant studies: a randomized control trial comparing PRP epidural injections to traditional treatments, a CT-guided epidural PRP study, and a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids. Dr. Rosenblum emphasized that PRP treatments are showing comparable or better results than traditional steroid injections, with potentially fewer required treatments and longer-lasting relief. He noted that while PRP is currently not covered by insurance, it represents a growing trend in 'natural' treatment approaches that patients increasingly prefer. Chapters Introduction and Upcoming Events Dr. Rosenblum announced his upcoming lectures at Pain Week focusing on ultrasound and regenerative medicine, followed by presentations at the Latin American Pain Society in Chile and the New York, New Jersey Pain Conference. He mentioned the SoMeDocs online pain conference accessible through nrappain.org, and upcoming ultrasound training sessions in New York City. PRP Epidural Research Review Dr. Rosenblum discussed a randomized control trial involving 30 patients receiving transforaminal epidural injections. The study showed that PRP patients demonstrated significant improvements in leg pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. He noted that while the study didn't use contrast, he personally prefers using contrast diluted with saline for better visualization. CT-Guided Epidural Study Analysis Dr. Rosenblum reviewed a study comparing CT-guided epidural PRP versus steroid injections, questioning the necessity of CT guidance. The study included 60 patients and showed similar results between PRP and steroid groups at six weeks, though he criticized the short follow-up period, noting that PRP typically takes months to show full effects. Meta-Analysis Discussion Dr. Rosenblum presented a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids in epidural injections. The analysis included 310 patients across five RCTs, demonstrating comparable efficacy between PRP and steroid injections without increased adverse events. He emphasized that his clinical experience shows patients typically require fewer PRP injections compared to steroid treatments.         Register for Next Weeks SoMeDocs Pain Conference References Wongjarupong, Asarn, et al. "“Platelet-Rich Plasma” epidural injection an emerging strategy in lumbar disc herniation: a Randomized Controlled Trial." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 24.1 (2023): 335. Bise, Sylvain, et al. "Comparison of interlaminar CT-guided epidural platelet-rich plasma versus steroid injection in patients with lumbar radicular pain." European radiology 30 (2020): 3152-3160. Muthu S, Viswanathan VK, Gangadaran P. Is platelet-rich plasma better than steroids as epidural drug of choice in lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy? Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2025 Feb 4;250:10390. doi: 10.3389/ebm.2025.10390. PMID: 39968415; PMCID: PMC11832311.

PRP in the Epidural Space for Radiculopathy Brooklyn Based Pain Physician, David Rosenblum, MD known for his work publishing and teaching Regenerative Pain Medicine and Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures hosts this podcast covering the latest and most advanced concepts in Pain Medicine. Summary Dr. David Rosenblum delivered a comprehensive lecture covering several key topics in pain management. He discussed his upcoming speaking engagements at PainWeek, ASPN and great upcoming meetings like the Latin American Pain Society, and other conferences. Dr. Rosenblum shared his extensive experience with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) epidural injections, reviewing multiple research studies that support their efficacy. He highlighted three significant studies: a randomized control trial comparing PRP epidural injections to traditional treatments, a CT-guided epidural PRP study, and a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids. Dr. Rosenblum emphasized that PRP treatments are showing comparable or better results than traditional steroid injections, with potentially fewer required treatments and longer-lasting relief. He noted that while PRP is currently not covered by insurance, it represents a growing trend in 'natural' treatment approaches that patients increasingly prefer. Chapters Introduction and Upcoming Events Dr. Rosenblum announced his upcoming lectures at Pain Week focusing on ultrasound and regenerative medicine, followed by presentations at the Latin American Pain Society in Chile and the New York, New Jersey Pain Conference. He mentioned the SoMeDocs online pain conference accessible through nrappain.org, and upcoming ultrasound training sessions in New York City. PRP Epidural Research Review Dr. Rosenblum discussed a randomized control trial involving 30 patients receiving transforaminal epidural injections. The study showed that PRP patients demonstrated significant improvements in leg pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. He noted that while the study didn't use contrast, he personally prefers using contrast diluted with saline for better visualization. CT-Guided Epidural Study Analysis Dr. Rosenblum reviewed a study comparing CT-guided epidural PRP versus steroid injections, questioning the necessity of CT guidance. The study included 60 patients and showed similar results between PRP and steroid groups at six weeks, though he criticized the short follow-up period, noting that PRP typically takes months to show full effects. Meta-Analysis Discussion Dr. Rosenblum presented a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids in epidural injections. The analysis included 310 patients across five RCTs, demonstrating comparable efficacy between PRP and steroid injections without increased adverse events. He emphasized that his clinical experience shows patients typically require fewer PRP injections compared to steroid treatments.         Register for Next Weeks SoMeDocs Pain Conference References Wongjarupong, Asarn, et al. "“Platelet-Rich Plasma” epidural injection an emerging strategy in lumbar disc herniation: a Randomized Controlled Trial." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 24.1 (2023): 335. Bise, Sylvain, et al. "Comparison of interlaminar CT-guided epidural platelet-rich plasma versus steroid injection in patients with lumbar radicular pain." European radiology 30 (2020): 3152-3160. Muthu S, Viswanathan VK, Gangadaran P. Is platelet-rich plasma better than steroids as epidural drug of choice in lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy? Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2025 Feb 4;250:10390. doi: 10.3389/ebm.2025.10390. PMID: 39968415; PMCID: PMC11832311.

PRP in the Epidural Space for Radiculopathy Brooklyn Based Pain Physician, David Rosenblum, MD known for his work publishing and teaching Regenerative Pain Medicine and Ultrasound Guided Pain Procedures hosts this podcast covering the latest and most advanced concepts in Pain Medicine. Summary Dr. David Rosenblum delivered a comprehensive lecture covering several key topics in pain management. He discussed his upcoming speaking engagements at PainWeek, ASPN and great upcoming meetings like the Latin American Pain Society, and other conferences. Dr. Rosenblum shared his extensive experience with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) epidural injections, reviewing multiple research studies that support their efficacy. He highlighted three significant studies: a randomized control trial comparing PRP epidural injections to traditional treatments, a CT-guided epidural PRP study, and a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids. Dr. Rosenblum emphasized that PRP treatments are showing comparable or better results than traditional steroid injections, with potentially fewer required treatments and longer-lasting relief. He noted that while PRP is currently not covered by insurance, it represents a growing trend in 'natural' treatment approaches that patients increasingly prefer. Chapters Introduction and Upcoming Events Dr. Rosenblum announced his upcoming lectures at Pain Week focusing on ultrasound and regenerative medicine, followed by presentations at the Latin American Pain Society in Chile and the New York, New Jersey Pain Conference. He mentioned the SoMeDocs online pain conference accessible through nrappain.org, and upcoming ultrasound training sessions in New York City. PRP Epidural Research Review Dr. Rosenblum discussed a randomized control trial involving 30 patients receiving transforaminal epidural injections. The study showed that PRP patients demonstrated significant improvements in leg pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. He noted that while the study didn't use contrast, he personally prefers using contrast diluted with saline for better visualization. CT-Guided Epidural Study Analysis Dr. Rosenblum reviewed a study comparing CT-guided epidural PRP versus steroid injections, questioning the necessity of CT guidance. The study included 60 patients and showed similar results between PRP and steroid groups at six weeks, though he criticized the short follow-up period, noting that PRP typically takes months to show full effects. Meta-Analysis Discussion Dr. Rosenblum presented a 2025 meta-analysis comparing PRP to steroids in epidural injections. The analysis included 310 patients across five RCTs, demonstrating comparable efficacy between PRP and steroid injections without increased adverse events. He emphasized that his clinical experience shows patients typically require fewer PRP injections compared to steroid treatments.         Register for Next Weeks SoMeDocs Pain Conference References Wongjarupong, Asarn, et al. "“Platelet-Rich Plasma” epidural injection an emerging strategy in lumbar disc herniation: a Randomized Controlled Trial." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 24.1 (2023): 335. Bise, Sylvain, et al. "Comparison of interlaminar CT-guided epidural platelet-rich plasma versus steroid injection in patients with lumbar radicular pain." European radiology 30 (2020): 3152-3160. Muthu S, Viswanathan VK, Gangadaran P. Is platelet-rich plasma better than steroids as epidural drug of choice in lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy? Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2025 Feb 4;250:10390. doi: 10.3389/ebm.2025.10390. PMID: 39968415; PMCID: PMC11832311.

In the US, an estimated 70-75% of women who give birth use an epidural for pain relief during labor. Epidural anesthesia during labor can affect bladder function by delaying the return of bladder sensation and potentially leading to urinary retention. This can be due to the nerves that control bladder function being affected by the epidural, reducing the sensation of bladder fullness and the urge to urinate. Intrapartum, there is no universal guidance regarding bladder management with labor epidural analgesia (LEA). Does one method of bladder care intrapartum affect mode of delivery more than the other? Is it better to have an indwelling catheter or to perform intermittent caths. What about patient self-voiding with a bedpan. Let's summarize the data.

Please note that this episode includes discussions of domestic violence and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are distressing for you, you may wish to skip this episode or listen with support. Relevant Aotearoa/NZ helplines are accessible at the bottom of these show notes.Naomi's story is a troubling, heart-wrenching listen. She bravely lets us in on the abuse and trauma she endured as a young first-time mum in a violent relationship with a manipulative man who would later become her husband. Together they had two more children, both healing home births, but the domestic abuse continued.One day, whilst working a shift as a midwife, Naomi spotted a brochure that stated, “family violence changes the brains of our children.” This realisation was the final straw for Naomi. She knew she needed to protect her babies from growing up in this abusive household, and she left their dad for the final time. He still had contact with the children, though no formal parental agreement was instated. Fuelled by anger and jealousy, when he discovered Naomi had met a new man, he took the children and told her she wouldn't be getting them back. The police could do nothing. Naomi desperately tried to get her children safely back into her care. But after many months of battling the system, and despite a clear history of abuse, including multiple protection orders, Naomi ultimately lost custody of her children to her violent ex. She was utterly powerless to protect her babies, something that nearly killed her.Find out how Naomi not only found the will to live, but went on to have another baby to a beautiful man, and now works to help heal the hearts of other wounded mothers. Her story is both deeply disturbing and profoundly inspiring.Also discussed in this episode:* contemplating abortion* protection orders for physical and psychological violence* pressured into medical pain relief - Pethidine & Epidural* lack of bond with newborn* Raynaud's Syndrome (breastfeeding)* pressured to give formula to baby* Postnatal depression & anxiety* Maternal Mental Health support - Aropax* CBT* Nursing & midwifery training* Siblings at birth* Gambling addiction* Court appointed psychologist (bias towards father)* contemplating suicide* Mama's Tribe * Healing Birth Practitioner Training* 42 week pregnancy* PROM & meconium stained waters* Syntocinon* healing & empowering cesarean* Wise Women Network NZ* sleep consultancy - responsive settling* postpartum sleep deprivationAotearoa/NZ HelplinesLifeline - 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357Women's Refuge 24/7 Crisis Line - 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)Shine (DV support) - 0508 744 6331737 - Need to talk? Free call or text 1737Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865Connect with Naomi on FacebookJoin The Mamas Tribe on FacebookFor coaching (mama, baby or trauma related) with Naomi email her on nurture@naomiruth.nzJoin the Wise Women Network Facebook groupCheck out my (Carla's) Healing Birth Practitioner Training course

Hoy vas a conocer el relato de Patricia Miralles, que tuvo un parto vaginal con epidural maravilloso. Espero que disfrutes este episodio, ¡clica PLAY y empezamos! ************************ Por petición popular, por fin me he decidido a grabar mis propios relatos de parto - y me hace mucha ilusión compartirlos contigo, porque además vendrá con una invitación especial. Si los quieres escuchar suscríbete para recibir el acceso, porque no voy a poner mi episodio aquí en la biblioteca, sino en un espacio privado. El enlace para apuntarte y escuchar el episodio es https://www.planetaparto.es/isa

We bring back one of our favorite guests, Dr. Bernardini to talk about multiple dramatic injuries in the last two weeks including a gruesome both bone forearm fracture for a top prospect rookie for the Reds, Tyler Callihan. We also speculate on some details about the tragic lacrosse injury of 16 year old, Dylan Veselic, who recently died. We discuss Derek Carr and why he is choosing to retire as well as some other major injuries!

Send us a textToday we interviewed Cally, who shared her experiences across two very different births. Her first pregnancy took place during COVID, where limited access to care led her to an OB by default. Red flags emerged throughout the pregnancy, but she continued with the same provider. After a long posterior labour that ended in an epidural and Syntocinon, she began to reflect more deeply on her birth choices.We also spoke about her breastfeeding journey—navigating early challenges, pumping and bottle-feeding for nearly two years—and her experience with a medically managed miscarriage, which she approached with intention and care.In her third pregnancy, Cally initially returned to her OB but switched to a private midwife at 26 weeks after feeling unsupported in her birth preferences. She went on to plan a homebirth that honoured her values and autonomy. When a postpartum hemorrhage occurred, it was swiftly and effectively managed by her midwifery team at home—including resuscitation—demonstrating the high level of skill and preparedness within well-supported homebirth care.Links:Mama Midwives Core & Floor Restore Free Antenatal ClassesThe Pink Elephant Support Network Red Nose  Info on APGAR Score Ten years of publicly funded homebirth services in Victoria Mothers & Babies Report - APGAR dataNational Core Maternity Indicators - APGARWhat is Medical management of miscarriage Support the show@homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Hoy vas a conocer el relato de parto de Emma Gallego, natural de Cáceres que vive en Madrid. Emma dio a luz en Agosto de 2024 a su hijo Leo, en un parto que se complicó sobre la marcha pero que finalmente pudo ser vaginal. Emma se puso la epidural, pero quizá por un pinzamiento del nervio ciático sintió dolor en un lado. Su experiencia no fue exactamente lo que había imaginado. Un episodio lleno de aprendizajes y reflexiones valiosas, ¡clica PLAY y empezamos! ************************ Por petición popular, por fin me he decidido a grabar mis propios relatos de parto - y me hace mucha ilusión compartirlos contigo, porque además vendrá con una invitación especial. Si los quieres escuchar suscríbete para recibir el acceso, porque no voy a poner mi episodio aquí en la biblioteca, sino en un espacio privado. El enlace para apuntarte y escuchar el episodio es https://www.planetaparto.es/isa

Author Minjin Fromm discusses her recent NASSJ article, "Factors associated with improved outcomes after lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections for radicular pain: A systematic review," with moderator and deputy editor Tobias Mattei.Read the full article here

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for up to 40% off your first order (including their already discounted plans and subscriptions) at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon! 

Send us a textIn this episode of our mini-series on homebirth transfer, we share the story of Tiahn, a mother who, inspired by the documentary Birth Time, knew that homebirth was the path for her. As she approached 42 + weeks, concerns about potential pre-eclampsia arose, but she made the choice to decline induction and continue her pregnancy.Throughout her journey, Tiahn faced significant pressure from friends and family, especially towards the end of her pregnancy and even during labour. Despite this, she stayed firm in her decision to follow her instincts and birth her baby on her own terms. After a long labour at home, she opted to transfer to the hospital. During labour, she chose to rest with an epidural, but complications soon emerged when her baby's heart rate dropped and meconium was found in the waters after an artificial rupture of membranes. A caesarean was quickly recommended.Links:Birth Time DocoSpinning Babies Support the show@homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. **Correction: a Tweet from 3/18 podcast, had incorrect information. Late Breaking abstract from 2025 Amer. Acad. Dermatology (AAD) on the Phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD study showed J&J's oral IL-23 inhibitor (icotrokinra) was superior to PLACEBO (not deucravacitinib as reported) in skin clearance (65% vs 8%) & PASI90 (50% v 4%) at Wk 16 (NOT 15) in 684 moderate-to-severe plaque PsO pts https://buff.ly/dMbTbML

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Brittany. Some of the topics we cover:3 early pregnancy losses (called chemical pregnancy) Hyperthyroidism Anxiety in pregnancy Travel in early pregnancy Parent Centre antenatal 2 stretch and sweeps Lost mucus plug on due date Midwife check at homeTransfer to hospital Epidural only worked on one side30 mins pushingPositive birth story Small episiotomy cut Breastfeeding challenges Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hoy vas a conocer el relato de Juli Wayenberg, Argentina que vive en Málaga, que dio a luz a su hija Sol en verano de 2024. En la semana 32 le dijeron que su bebé tenía un percentil bajo de peso. Hacia el final del embarazo le recomendaron una inducción, que incluyó balón de Cook, oxitocina, rotura de bolsa y epidural. Juli describe cómo tuvo una experiencia maravillosa, y lo especial que fue tener en paritorio a su hermana, ginecóloga, también embarazada de 39 semanas, que dió a luz apenas unos días después. Espero que disfrutes este episodio, ¡clica PLAY y empezamos! ************************ Por petición popular, por fin me he decidido a grabar mis propios relatos de parto - y me hace mucha ilusión compartirlos contigo, porque además vendrá con una invitación especial. Si los quieres escuchar suscríbete para recibir el acceso, porque no voy a poner mi episodio aquí en la biblioteca, sino en un espacio privado. El enlace para apuntarte y escuchar el episodio es https://www.planetaparto.es/isa

Today, we delve into a compelling, systematic review that tackles the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections for conditions like cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and spinal stenosis. If you're a chiropractor, this is an essential listen as we unpack whether these injections truly offer relief, examining both short—and long-term outcomes. We'll explore the study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology, which scrutinized 90 randomized control trials, and discuss their findings on pain reduction and disability alleviation provided by these injections.Episode Notes: Epidural Steroids for Cervical and Lumbar Radicular Pain and Spinal Stenosis Systematic Review SummaryThe Best Objective Assessment of the Cervical Spine- Provide reliable assessments and exercises for Neuromuscular Control, Proprioception, Range of Motion, and Sensorimotor-Integration. Learn more at NeckCare.comTurncloud EHR- Minimalist design, without being sparse. Practical, yet elegant. Turncloud's design was to find the most efficient path in a day in the life of a chiropractic office. Connect with their team at www.turncloud.com Patient Pilot by The Smart Chiropractor is the fastest, easiest to generate weekly patient reactivations on autopilot…without spending any money on advertising. Click here to schedule a call with our team.Our members use research to GROW their practice. Are you interested in increasing your referrals? Discover the best chiropractic marketing you aren't currently using right here!

At 55 years old, Joey was living with 7 herniated discs and had been in chronic pain for almost 20 years. He suffered from:✅ L5-S1, L4-L5, L3-L4, L2-L3, L1-L2 (ALL 5 lumbar discs herniated!)✅ T12-L1, T11-T12 (thoracic-lumbar herniations)His pain first started in 2007, when a debilitating back spasm left him stuck on the ground, unable to move.For nearly two decades after, he dealt with severe back pain and sciatica flare-ups every 6-7 months. He tried everything to get better:❌ Epidural injections – only temporary relief❌ Physical therapy – generic exercises, no lasting change❌ Decompression therapy – expensive and ineffective❌ Inversion tables & back braces – no long-term results❌ Surgery consultations – told he'd be in and out of the hospital for lifeWith nothing working, Joey assumed this was just his reality—until he took a chance on the Whealth Limitless Program.How Whealth Limitless Changed EverythingAt first, Joey was skeptical (like most of our members) —he had already tried so much without success.But within just a few weeks, he started feeling a difference.And in a few months, he was completely pain-free for the first time in over a decade. Now, he's:✅ Back to playing golf after 14 YEARS away from the sport✅ Running his landscaping business PAIN-FREE✅ Waking up without thinking about his back pain✅ Living life without fear of flare-upsJoey is proof that you CAN heal—even with multiple herniations and decades of pain.

Ep 138 Description:  An investment in yourself as an investment in the people around you and your children.” —Lacy Woods   Maternal health and wellness are essential for a happy and healthy family. Yet, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum can deeply influence a mother's long-term well-being. And so, prioritizing holistic care and support during these times is key to fostering resilience and joy. Lacy Woods is a passionate perinatal and pelvic health occupational therapist. She founded Maternal Milestones and specializes in pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise. Discover the impact of maternal health occupational therapy, the importance of support systems for mothers, and Lacy's inspiring journey and professional insights.     Connect with Debra! Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1  Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471      Episode Highlights: 02:47 Navigating Unmedicated Hospital Birth 07:26 Navigating Labor and Delivery: Induction and Epidural  11:27 Second Pregnancy and Postpartum Reflections 18:35 Coping with Loss 23:26 Emotional and Physical Challenges of Birth 29:42 Postpartum Bliss and Professional Impact 32:27 Turning Into the Body and Relaxation Techniques 34:42 The Importance of Self-Care and Support       Are you an expectant parent or doula or birth provider? We have a special FREE gift for you! Visit OrgasmicBirth.com/More to learn more!”   Introducing The Movie That's Changing How We

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off your first order (including their already discounted plans and subscriptions) at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon! 

Robyn describes her first birth as a ‘weird, numb experience.' She was in the hospital, on an epidural, and slept through most of it. However, a family car accident became a turning point for Robyn, prompting her to make holistic health changes for her family. As she began to explore ways to take charge of their healthcare more naturally, her perspective on birth shifted. By the time she was pregnant with her second child, she knew she would give birth at home, with a midwife. (In fact, the midwife she chose had been a former guest on this show!) For her third birth, Robyn chose to give birth at home, unassisted. In reflecting on her birth experiences, Robyn shared with me: ‘I want to address the idea that a midwife or doula will save you during labor or birth, or somehow prepare you better than you can prepare yourself for birth. Instead, birth should be viewed as an opportunity to fully surrender and trust yourself.' If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on  Spotify or Apple Podcasts!  Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net Check out the website for lots of other birth related offerings, and personalized support: www.healingbirth.net Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

HeHe shares 6 things she would absolutely do if she was getting an epidural in labor! These are not the traditional things like 'keep moving,' rather she is sharing exact conversations to have with your provider to make sure your epidural gives you the pain relief you're trying to achieve and what to do if you're epidural is too heavy (which may lead to longer pushing time and increased tearing!).    Download my Evidence Based Epidural Guide! (Clickable Link!)   INSTAGRAM: Connect with HeHe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ Connect with HeHe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hehestewart   BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page  

En este episodio del podcast te comparto cómo fue el parto de mi segundo hijo, Gio. Una experiencia salvaje, intensa, sin miedo y profundamente transformadora. Un parto respetado natural, rápido y sin epidural, donde estuve totalmente conectada con mi cuerpo, mi intuición y mi pareja. Te contamos cómo lo vivimos, cómo sentimos esa conexión y cómo este proceso refleja nuestra forma de hacer las cosas en la vida y en los negocios: eligiendo con conciencia, confiando en nuestra intuición y creando desde nuestra verdad. Descubre más sobre EMPRENDE EN BALANCE: https://arantxacanadas.kartra.com/page/emprende-balance ¡Las plazas abren el 26 de febrero, entra en la lista VIP para asegurar la tuya con descuento exclusivo! Instagram Arantxa: https://www.instagram.com/arantxa_canadas/ Instagram Pablo: https://www.instagram.com/pablo_urba/

Dr. Alex Menze and Dr. Carmel Armon discuss the efficacy of epidural steroid injections in cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis and radiculopathies, assessing short-term and long-term improvements in pain and disability. Show reference: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213361 

Dr. Alex Menze talks with Dr. Carmel Armon about the efficacy of epidural steroid injections in cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis and radiculopathies, assessing short-term and long-term improvements in pain and disability. Read the related article in Neurology®. Disclosures can be found at Neurology.org. 

What happens when one high blood pressure reading gets you kicked out of the birth center? For Vanessa, it meant signing an AMA form, switching to a hospital birth, and watching her birth plan go out the window. In this episode, Vanessa, the creator ofBirth to Boob, and one our very own Unmedicated Academy Ambassadors, shares the story of her first birth—a medicated, no-epidural hospital birth that wasnothing like she planned.And this time? She's doing it all differently. Tune in to hear how she's taking back control for baby #2 and why she's choosing thesecret third option: hiring a birthkeeper.Follow Vanessa @birthtoboob on IG:https://www.instagram.com/birthtoboobEnroll inBirth to Boob to get Unmedicated Academy & Breastfeeding Support

In part 2 , I'm taking you back to my waters breaking (again?!) on New Year's Eve, I was told to stay in the hospital bed, Pitocin was pushed at shift change, and—something I've never shared before—I was talked into fentanyl (spoiler: there's a good learning point here). Add in a cervical lip being manually pushed back, and coached pushing so intense I popped every blood vessel in my face... and it's the "perfect" no-epidural hospital birth. __ Have a better hospital birth, join us inside of Unmedicated Academy ⬇️ unmedicatedgirlies.com OR DM me "enroll" on Instagram

Our beloved in house pelvic floor physical therapist, Hayley Kava, shares how her first birth experience inspired her career path. Her journey began with a hospital birth that she found to be less than positive, leading her to seek a more empowering experience the next time. Her second birth, also in a hospital, turned out to be a much more positive and fulfilling experience, but left a little to be desired when it came to immediate postpartum care. Finally, her third birth took an unexpected turn—an unplanned unassisted home birth after a precipitous labor! Despite having a midwife, the baby arrived before they could get there. Tune in to hear Hayley's incredible birth stories and how they fueled her passion for helping others achieve empowering birth experiences. Find Hayley here! https://www.hayleykavapt.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hayleykavapt/?hl=en 00:00 Introduction to Birth Story Friday 01:11 Hayley's First Birth Experience 10:20 Transition to Second Birth 11:47 Hayley's Second Birth Story 21:03 Preparing for the Third Birth 23:42 The Third Birth Begins 31:19 The Home Birth Experience 51:25 Post-Birth Reflections and Insights 54:40 Conclusion and Resources === Get Your Copy of Training for Two on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH

AKA the ONLY thing unmedicated about it was that I didn't have an epidural. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my first birth experience and sharing the details of what I used to call an “unmedicated” birth. Spoiler alert: while I didn't have an epidural, my birth was still FULL of interventions. I'll also share how this birth taught me valuable lessons and set the stage for my journey into birth work. Whether you're planning your own birth or just love a good story, tune in to hear the truth about hospital births, interventions, and what I wish I'd known back then. _

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off your first order (including their already discounted plans and subscriptions) at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon! 

Links: Today's episode is sponsored by Motif Medical. See how you can get Motif's Luna or Aura breast pumps covered through insurance at motifmedical.com/birthhour.  Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (use code THANKFUL for 50% off) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! 

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for 25% off your first subscription and up to 40% off monthly plans at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code THANKFUL for 50% OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon! Makayla's first birth story episode here!

Answering ALL your questions about pregnancy!! Like, fears you have about being a mom? ⁃ How was your first trimester? ⁃ What are you most excited for and what are you nervous about? ⁃ Birth plan! Hospital birth? Midwife route? Epidural or natural? ⁃ When did you find you were pregnant? ⁃ Current workout routine? ⁃ Biggest cravings? Aversions? ⁃ What vitamins and supplements are you taking? ⁃ What made you want to find out the gender of your baby? & MORE! Check out our latest pregnancy vlog here. Grab our latest show merch before we run out! ORDER JEANINE'S BOOK HAPPY & HEALTHY JOIN OUR PATREON and get access to an exclusive bonus episode a month with Jeanine and Kaleb!! Books Jeanine mentions in the episode: What To Expect When You're Expecting' by Heidi Murkoff The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel Sponsors: Lumen - Take the next step in improving your health, go to lumen.me/HEALTHY to get 15% off. Fatty15 - Take charge of your health by visiting fatty15.com/HEALTHY and using the code HEALTHY to get an extra 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Hosanna Revival - Get your own beautifully hand-designed bible at hosannarevival.com and use my code JEANINE15 for 15% off your entire order! If you'd like to partner with Jeanine as a sponsor for the Happy & Healthy podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! Follow us on Instagram! @happyandhealthypodcast @jeanineamapola @jeanineandkaleb Follow us on TikTok! @happyandhealthypodcast @jeanineamapola Tags: jeanine amapola ,happy and healthy, christian podcast, self help podcast, christian podcast for women, jeanine and kaleb, Jeanine amapola podcast, podcast for Christians, christian girl, godly girl chat, becoming happy and healthy, pregnancy questions, natural birth, pregnancy tips, family planning, mommy blogger, birth planning, bump updates, pregnancy updates, pregnancy podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices