During reflexology, the practitioner will put pressure on a key area of the feet that relates to a part of the body. As Drake Ewing, MS Lac, an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle explained, “Reflexology is a type of health care that has been used for thousands of years.”

The feet, he explained, have about 7000 nerve endings, and reflexology can help to stimulate these nerves and the central nervous system. This can help to alter the way that the patient feels pain.

Learn more about reflexology for pain relief and about other pain management methods offered by Harvey Finkelstein and others.

For those afflicted with migraines it is important to do the following.  First, get an accurate diagnosis (as early as possible).  This means one needs to present the practitioner with a very detailed history of attacks. The more information a specialist such as Dr. Harvey Finkelstein has, the more effective the symptoms can be treated.  Second, the practitioner should provide a list of various possible treatment options to be discussed with the patient, to work out what option would be best.  A course of treatment can always be modified later on, but working out a basic plan initially is important.  Third, there are often dietary supplements – or specific foods within a diet that should be avoided – that can help.  Fourth, one should discuss with their pain management specialist the specific triggers and how to avoid them if possible.  Fifth, the migraine sufferer might want to look at various drug treatments or alternative medicinal options as well.

Once the basics have been covered, it is important for one to follow up with their pain management specialist.  How are the drugs working?  Has a change in diet helped?  Are alternative treatments – or keeping fit – beneficial?  The more information someone like Dr. Harvey Finkelstein has on the case, the more likely it is that the migraines will be treated effectively.

 
In addition to meeting with specialists like Harvey Finkelstein MD, however, there are various ways patients can help themselves to alleviate their pain.  They can learn deep breathing exercises and enjoy meditative activities.  These processes will help with relaxation.  In the same vein, reducing stress and improving one’s mental health can also result in lowered pain levels.  If possible, engage in physical exercise which releases natural endorphins that takes away the focus from pain.  For those unable to engage in these mental and  physical exercises, they should consider joining an exercise group, support group, or even seek assistance from a mental health professional.  Biofeedback is another way of decreasing the severity of pain.  One should also remember that alcohol (and smoking) can have the opposite impact of reducing pain, and try to avoid it as much as possible.

Overall, when possible, people should focus on the things they can do to help their overall health. In addition, they should keep up with their regular appointments with a pain management specialist as necessary. In between visits, patients should keep a diary of when they feel pain; what they were doing at the time; how long it lasts etc., and then discuss it with the physician so he or she can help best treat the symptoms.

Acetaminophen operates by suppressing the pain messages which reach the brain. They are somehow able to block the brain’s perception of pain. This in no way involves the inflammatory response and therefore acetaminophen will not reduce inflammation, swelling or irritation.

Harvey Finkelstein, M.D. is a pain management specialist advises many pain sufferers on how to control and reduce the pain they experience from a large variety of causes.

Pain Meds

One of the more common approaches to pain management which specialists in the field like Dr. Harvey Finkelstein will employ is treatment through pain medications. There is a large selection of pain meds available today, from mild-acting over-the-counter (OTC) medications to powerful drugs only available in the context of surgery or other severe pain situations.
Included in the OTC category are acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and topical corticosteroids.

Acetaminophen is the generic name of the drug which is often and more commonly known as Tylenol, or Aspirin Free Excedrin.  Together with NSAIDs (Motrin, Aleve and Orudis) these medications lower fever and help alleviate pain which is caused by stiffness and aches in the muscles. If the problem is inflammatory, then only NSAIDs will help.

Dr. Finkelstein then became an attending physician in the Pain Management Center at University Hospital. After leaving University Hospital Dr. Finkelstein worked in several other hospitals as well as in private practice situations throughout Long Island, Dr. Finkelstein established a private practice clinic in pain management in the year 2000. The clinic is known as the Pain Care Medicine clinic of Long Island, PLLC, located in Plainview.

Harvey Finkelstein received the prestigious designation as a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice in 2009. This is a distinction awarded by the World Institute of Pain after taking an intense and rigorous exam which is divided into three main sections. The candidate must pass an oral exam, a written exam and a practical test in front of two examiners which determine the candidate’s expertise, knowledge and ability to perform four nerve blocks on cadavers. The following year Dr. Finkelstein was appointed to be part of the team of examiners at the 2010 FIPP exam given by WIP, a great honor, which took place in Budapest, Hungary.