Midwest Anesthesia & Pain Specialists

Midwest Anesthesia & Pain Specialists The largest and most innovative interventional pain management practice in the Chicago area.
(1)

Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists (MAPS) is a Chicago based medical practice specializing in the fields of both anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine. Founders Darrel Saldanha MD, Thomas Pontinen MD, and Andrei Rakic MD are all double board certified in the fields of both anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine. Now with seven locations, MAPS is the largest and most innovative interventional pain practice in the Chicagoland area.

Chronic knee pain holding you back? ❄️ Freeze pain in its tracks with Cryoneurolysis.Chronic knee pain doesn’t have to h...
02/12/2026

Chronic knee pain holding you back? ❄️ Freeze pain in its tracks with Cryoneurolysis.

Chronic knee pain doesn’t have to hold you back. Cryoneurolysis is a minimally invasive treatment that targets the nerves sending pain signals from your knee, with no surgery required. The result? Pain relief, improved joint function, and a faster return to the activities you love.

🦵 How it works:

• Quick, minimally invasive procedure
• Relief can start immediately or within a few weeks
• Lasts around 3 months and reduces reliance on medications

✅ Ideal if you:

• Need fast relief
• Want to avoid surgery
• Haven’t found success with other treatments

Get back to moving freely with help from MAPS’ knee pain specialists in Chicago.

👉 Schedule your knee pain consultation at MAPS today: https://www.mwpain.com/knee-pain/

MAPS Team Member Highlight: Quadri Hassan, FNP-BC 🌟Quadri is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to ho...
02/10/2026

MAPS Team Member Highlight: Quadri Hassan, FNP-BC 🌟

Quadri is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to holistic, evidence-based patient care.

He earned his BSN from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his MSN from Lewis University, graduating with Honors.

From the operating room to various clinical settings, Hassan combines patient advocacy with personalized care and proven pain management strategies.

When he’s not caring for patients, Quadri enjoys football, pickleball, soccer, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Schedule your consultation at MAPS Centers for Pain Control today.

https://www.mwpain.com/make-an-appointment/

Tingling, burning, or numbness in your hands and feet this winter? ❄️ Know how to mitigate cold-weather neuropathy flare...
02/06/2026

Tingling, burning, or numbness in your hands and feet this winter? ❄️ Know how to mitigate cold-weather neuropathy flare-ups.

As temperatures drop, many people with neuropathy notice heightened symptoms, especially in the hands and feet. Cold weather can reduce blood flow to the extremities, slowing nerve communication and making symptoms more difficult to manage.

🧤 Ways to help protect your nerves this winter:

• Dress in warm layers, especially hands and feet
• Stay active to support circulation
• Avoid smoking and limit caffeine and alcohol
• Plan outdoor activities around colder days

If neuropathy pain is affecting your quality of life, it may be time to seek professional care. MAPS’ neuropathy specialists offer innovative treatment options designed to support long-term relief.

👉 Learn more about neuropathy treatment at MAPS and how we can help you feel better every season: https://www.mwpain.com/neuropathy/

American Heart Month: How Heart Health Impacts Neuropathy. Cardiovascular health directly impacts nerve function, as ner...
02/04/2026

American Heart Month: How Heart Health Impacts Neuropathy.

Cardiovascular health directly impacts nerve function, as nerves rely on oxygen and nutrients delivered through healthy circulation. When circulation is affected, the risk of neuropathy increases. 🫀

Key causes of neuropathy:

•Poor circulation that limits oxygen to nerves
•Heart disease and diabetes
•Chronic inflammation

Common symptoms of neuropathy:

•Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
•Muscle weakness
•Burning pain

During American Heart Month, understanding the connection between heart health and neuropathy is an important step toward managing chronic pain and nerve function.

Learn how our providers at MAPS can create a specialized treatment plan for you: https://www.mwpain.com/contact-us/

Sciatica Relief: Causes and Non-Surgical Treatments 🦵Sciatica is nerve pain that can radiate from the lower back into th...
02/02/2026

Sciatica Relief: Causes and Non-Surgical Treatments 🦵

Sciatica is nerve pain that can radiate from the lower back into the leg or foot. It can become chronic due to nerve inflammation, spinal degeneration, or sensitization.

At Maps centers for pain control, personalized non-surgical care can focus on long-term relief with options such as:

☑️ Target injections to reduce inflammation
☑️ Neuromodulation to reset pain signaling
☑️ Physical Therapy for core and hip stability
☑️ Advanced diagnostics to identify root cause.

Understanding the cause of sciatica is the first step toward lasting relief.

Read the full blog to learn more about symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
https://www.mwpain.com/sciatica-pain-relief-in-chicago-causes-symptoms-and-non-surgical-treatment-options/

Neuromodulation vs Injections: Which Chronic Pain Treatment is right for you? 💉Understanding the difference between trea...
02/02/2026

Neuromodulation vs Injections: Which Chronic Pain Treatment is right for you? 💉

Understanding the difference between treating inflammation and modifying pain signals can help patients make confident and informed decisions.

Both neuromodulation and injections are effective, non-surgical options, but they work in different ways.

✔️Benefits of Neuromodulation:

•Long-term pain control
•Reduced reliance on medications
•Adjustable and reversible
•Targets nerve-driven pain
•Designed for chronic conditions

✔️Benefits of Injections:

•Rapid pain relief
•Minimally invasive
•Helpful for diagnosis
•Can restore function temporarily
•Often used early in care

At Maps, the goal is not just relief but durable, functional improvement using the right therapy at the right time.

Read the full blog to learn which treatment may be right for you and take control of your pain.

https://www.mwpain.com/neuromodulation-vs-injections-which-chronic-pain-treatment-is-right-for-you/

Have you noticed your joints feeling stiffer or more uncomfortable when the weather turns colder? Many people experience...
01/31/2026

Have you noticed your joints feeling stiffer or more uncomfortable when the weather turns colder?

Many people experience increased pain in winter as muscles tighten and circulation slows. One simple way to ease this discomfort is with heat pads or blankets. Applying gentle, consistent warmth can help:

• Increase blood flow: Warmth improves circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and joints for better function

• Relax muscles and reduce stiffness: Heat loosens tight muscles around joints, improving mobility and comfort

• Reduce pain signals: Sensory stimulation from warmth can temporarily override discomfort

• Prepare joints for movement: Applying heat before stretching or activity can reduce the risk of injury and make motion easier

• Promote relaxation: Warmth eases tension and stress, which can further reduce joint discomfort

For best results, use moderate heat for 15–20 minutes at a time and combine with gentle movement or stretching.

If winter joint pain is becoming persistent and interfering with your daily life, reach out to our team to explore personalized strategies and treatments designed to support your joint health and improve comfort.

Learn more: https://www.mwpain.com/joint-pain/

Does your knee pain worsen when going up or down stairs? 🦵This is a common sign of underlying knee joint dysfunction. St...
01/31/2026

Does your knee pain worsen when going up or down stairs? 🦵

This is a common sign of underlying knee joint dysfunction. Stair-related knee pain is commonly caused by cartilage wear, patellar tracking issues, tendon overload, or nerve-related pain, rather than a single injury.

At MAPS, advanced diagnostics and non-surgical treatments focus on identifying the root cause instead of masking symptoms.

💭 Our new blog explains why stair-related knee pain happens and treatments that help:

•Common causes like early arthritis, patellofemoral pain, tendon/ meniscus issues, and nerve-related pain.

•Why going downstairs worsens the pain.

•Non-surgical treatment options: Image-guided injections, genicular nerve ablation, bracing, and regenerative therapies.

Read the full blog post to learn how MAPS Centers for Pain Control helps diagnose and treat stair-related knee pain.
https://www.mwpain.com/knee-pain-when-going-up-or-down-stairs-what-it-means-and-how-its-treated/

Do you often wake up with neck or back pain? Your sleep posture could be why. When your head, neck, and spine are not pr...
01/29/2026

Do you often wake up with neck or back pain? Your sleep posture could be why.

When your head, neck, and spine are not properly aligned during sleep, it can place extra stress on muscles, joints, and ligaments, leading to stiffness, discomfort, and even chronic pain over time.

Here are some strategies to support better sleep posture and reduce pain:

• Choose the right position: Back sleeping is often best for spinal alignment. Side sleepers can use a pillow between the knees to keep hips and spine aligned. Stomach sleeping is generally not recommended, but a thin pillow under the pelvis can help if unavoidable.

• Support your neck and spine: Use a pillow that maintains the natural curve of your neck and avoid stacking multiple pillows. Small lumbar pillows can help back sleepers maintain proper lower back alignment.

• Invest in a supportive mattress: A medium-firm mattress provides enough support without creating pressure points. Replace worn mattresses that no longer keep your spine aligned.

• Stretch and relax before bed: Gentle stretches can relax tight muscles and prepare your body for restful sleep.

Proper sleep posture is an often-overlooked factor in maintaining spinal health and reducing discomfort. At MAPS, we offer personalized strategies and treatments to help you sleep more comfortably and move with greater ease. If chronic neck or back pain is affecting your daily life, contact us today to explore solutions tailored to your needs.

https://www.mwpain.com/back-pain/

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Dr. Lubenow is one of the few pain doctors my husband has seen that has helped his chronic pain in a significant w...
01/28/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Dr. Lubenow is one of the few pain doctors my husband has seen that has helped his chronic pain in a significant way. His positive attitude alone makes such a difference. He is willing to try treatments that most doctors will not. We would highly recommend him for anyone in chronic pain as he has literally changed my husband's life.”

- Debbie E.

Thank you, Debbie, for sharing this great review about your husband’s provider, Timothy R. Lubenow, MD. Our team of pain management specialists takes pride in the level of compassionate care given to each patient at MAPS.

01/24/2026

Knee pain doesn’t have to be a long-term setback. PRP therapy may help your body heal from the inside out. 🦵

MAPS’ Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, explains how Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) uses your body’s own healing cells to treat knee injuries and chronic pain. PRP is created from your blood and injected into the joint to support tissue repair and longer-lasting recovery.

How PRP can help:

• Delivers healing cells directly to the injured area

• Signals your body to recruit additional healing cells

• Supports repair over months, not just weeks

• Helps improve joint function and reduce repeat treatments

Rather than masking symptoms, PRP focuses on encouraging natural healing.

If knee pain from injury, wear and tear, or arthritis is limiting your movement, PRP may be a minimally invasive option to explore.

👉 Learn more and schedule a consultation with MAPS’ knee pain specialists in Chicago: https://www.mwpain.com/knee-pain/

01/22/2026

Stop pain signals in their tracks with Neuromodulation, a drug-free pain relief therapy that uses gentle electrical signals to interrupt pain messages before they reach the brain.

MAPS’ Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, explains how neuromodulation works and why many patients experience meaningful improvements, including:

•Improved sleep quality
•Easier movement and mobility
•Reduced daily discomfort
•A return to normal routines and activities

This therapy may be an option for those experiencing persistent back, neck, leg, or nerve pain. A simple one-week trial allows patients to see how their body responds before committing to long-term treatment.

👉 Learn more and schedule a consultation with MAPS to see if neuromodulation is right for you: https://www.mwpain.com/neuromodulation/

Address

9680 Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL
60016

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Midwest Anesthesia & Pain Specialists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Midwest Anesthesia & Pain Specialists:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category