Norman Chideckel MD Vein Center
212-993-6133

Welcome to the Vascular Surgery and Vein Center

Welcome to the Vascular Surgery and Vein Center, a comprehensive vascular practice providing state-of-the-art care to patients throughout the tri-state area. Under the direction of board-certified surgeon Dr. Norman Chideckel, we utilize our advanced skills and many years of experience to help patients achieve clear, beautiful and healthy legs.

With our convenient Manhattan location, Dr. Chideckel offers patients a wide range of services to treat varicose and spider veins, deep vein thrombosis, and other vascular conditions, including:

Dedicated to helping patients achieve their desired results through the most effective and minimally invasive treatments available, Dr. Chideckel and his staff take the time to talk with each individual patient and address any concerns or questions they may have before undergoing treatment. Your comfort and satisfaction are among our top priorities.

To learn more about the services provided by Dr. Chideckel, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We always welcome new patients and look forward to meeting you.

Vascular Surgery & Vein Center
108 East 96th Street
Front 1
New York, NY 10128
Call us today at 212-993-6133 to schedule an appointment.

We now offer Telemedicine sessions.  Please call us for more information or to schedule a Telemedicine appointment.

See Our Main Website At www.VeinsDoc.com
Blog Posts Are Below:

Category Archives: vein doctor nyc

Vein Removal: An Overview

Most people opt for vein removal and treatment to remove varicose and spider veins. The first thing that any physician tries to do is adopt non invasive methods to treat the veins. These veins can become discolored and painful and can cause discomfort along the way. In numerous cases, vein removal becomes necessary other practices are not as effective. A doctor may recommend the removal of any of the below mentioned symptoms are discovered:

  • Severe pain which keeps you up at times
  • Major skin problems such as discoloration and swelling
  • Blood clots present in the arteries

Best Vein Removal Doctor NYC

Even when someone is not experiencing pain, they may adopt this removal method just to improve the appearance of the legs.

Which Removal Procedure is Right for You?

It is important that you and your doctor collaborate effectively to determine the compact removal procedure for you. Before determining the removal procedure, it is important to keep certain aspects in your mind. These include:

  • Age and overall health
  • The extent of the problem
  • The symptoms and pain
  • Comparing different treatment options
  • The condition after each treatment method
  • Doctor’s opinion and feedback

Make sure to talk about each aspect of the removal procedure in detail, such as anesthesia and other queries you may have.

Ways to Remove Veins

There are a few ways a surgeon might deal with vein removal. However, there are two notable procedures that stand apart. They include:

·       Ambulatory Phlebectomy

This procedure involves less complicated procedures to overcome the varicose veins. The surgeon will numb the affected area near the surface of the affected area. Then they will remove the veins that are affected with the help of small cuts.

·       Vein Stripping and Ligation

In case things escalate, the doctors will have no other options than to resort to vein stripping and ligation. In some cases, the surgeons also provide anesthesia to the patients to prevent additional pain. After anesthesia, the doctor will make an incision to find out the affected veins and remove them effectively.

What Happens After the Procedure?

After the vein removal, you might face a few side effects of the procedure. One of the most common ones is swelling, bruising, and changes in skin color. In some cases, the side effects can escalate and result in blood clots, scarring, and infections.

You may have to wear the compression stocking for some time to make sure you recover better. When you reach home, many doctors advise you that you start working out and ensure that you stay active throughout the time.

No matter what procedure you go for, it is important that you take a few steps in mind. They include:

  • Watching out on the weight
  • Working out regularly
  • Raising the feet while sitting down
  • Not crossing legs
  • No tight clothes

These removal methods often require more care than non-invasive methods. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you go ahead with the right ones. Vein removal via surgery may cause more pain compared to other options. The recovery time is also high, which can range between 1 to 4 weeks.

Vein Removal: Final Thoughts

If you are facing any vein problems or need to get one removed, do not waste more time and reach out to Norman Chideckel, MD, an award winning vein specialist at the Vascular Surgery & Vein Center.

Schedule an appointment today

Vascular Surgery & Vein Center
Dr. Norman Chideckel
108 East 96th Street
New York, NY 10128
212-993-6133

All About Healthy Veins

How would one define healthy veins? There are significant differences between the functions of the veins and the arteries. As arteries are responsible for transferring oxygenated blood to the body, veins deliver the deoxygenated blood back. In this article, we will discuss veins and how it functions. So let’s begin:

All about healthy veins
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Structure of Healthy Veins

Your venous system is a network of veins that collects deoxygenated blood and supplies it to the heart for purification. There are three different layers that form the walls of your veins:

·       Tunica Externa

Tunica Externa is the outermost layer of the vein. Composed of connective tissues, this vein is mostly thick. This layer of the wall contains vasa vasorum. These are the tiny blood vessels and supply blood to the vein’s wall.

·       Tunica Media

You can refer to the middle layer of the vein as the tunica media. This is a thin layer but is abundant with collagen. Collagen contains a huge amount of protein and is a component of the connective tissue.

·       Tunica Intima

This is the inner part of the vein. It contains some connective tissues and endothelium cells. The arrangement of cells has a single layer. There are valves attached to this layer that controls the one-way flow of the blood. The major role of these valves is to avoid the backward flow of the blood. The valves are very active in the legs and arms because of the continuous movement of these body parts.

How Healthy and Abnormal Veins Function

Healthy Veins and Valves

Veins are responsible for bringing blood to the heart for purification. Because these veins pump the blood against gravity, they need to generate enough pressure. Valves in your veins play an essential role in moving the blood against gravity. For instance, when you move your legs while exercising and walking, the veins contract and relax. Such movement of the veins squashes the blood forward.

To prevent the backward flow, valves hold the blood by working as a barrier. As a result, the blood reaches the pelvis all the way through your legs. There are cases when the valves fail to function normally. This happens due to many reasons, such as pressure on the walls. When this happens, the blood builds up in the veins blocking the flow.

The valves work as a pocket on the inside layer of the veins. The upward-pointing valves close when the blood pumps. This prevents the blood from flowing backward. Another upward push of the blood will open the valve. Then the valve closes again, and the process goes on. This helps the veins to flow the blood against gravity.

Common Causes of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common condition that develops when the blood fails to flow in the right direction. Below, you will find some causes for varicose veins:

1.     Inability to Close

You may develop varicose veins because of venous reflux. In this condition, the valves inside the vein fail to close. As a result, the valves lose their ability to hold the blood as it flows forward, which accumulates a lot of blood.

2.     Damaged Veins

You may also develop varicose veins due to the damaged vein valves. When valves are unable to hold the blood after the relaxation of the veins, the blood flows backward with the contraction.

Conditions Affecting Venous System

There are numerous conditions affecting your venous system. You can find some of these conditions below:

·       Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

You can develop a blood clot in your veins, especially in your legs. Transferring the blood from the lower body can be tough, as your veins have to work against gravity. This can lead to build-up or blood clots. This condition can cause pulmonary embolism as the clot travels through the vein and blocks the lungs.

·       Superficial Thrombophlebitis

You can also develop a blood clot in your superficial vein. The blood clot can travel to your deep vein and to lunch, causing the above condition. DVT is a serious condition and can disconnect the supply of blood to oxygen.

·       Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are not a serious condition but a common one. When your valves do not function properly, it can cause the veins to swell. This can also lead to vein rupture in some cases. This condition can cause bulgy veins visible on the skin’s surface.

What makes healthy veins?
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·       Chronic Venous Insufficiency

When the blood collects inside the deep and superficial veins, it fills the veins with the blood. This improper functioning occurs due to the inability of the valve to close. Even though varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are similar, venous insufficiency develops more symptoms such as ulcers.

All About Healthy Veins: Conclusion

Veins can cause various problems due to the backward flow of the blood. These conditions include painful varicose veins and other serious conditions.

If you develop any venous condition, visit our vascular surgery and vein center and consult with Dr. Norman Chideckel. You can contact us and make an appointment at  212-993-6133.

How Do I Remove Unsightly Veins?

Unsightly veins can become more common because of less active routine and unhealthy habits. This condition is more common in women than men. These veins can affect the appeal of your hands and feet, causing nervousness and decreasing your confidence. Thanks to advancements in the health sector, treating these veins with painless techniques is possible. So if you don’t feel confident showing your legs and cannot wear skirts to hide your spider veins, this article can help.

Development of Varicose Veins

After undergoing vascular treatments, many women love the appeal of their legs again. Below, we will discuss some techniques that experts suggest to their clients suffering from this venous condition.

The bulging veins that you see on your legs and feet with the twisted structure are your valves’ abnormality. These conditions are initially harmless, but the severity may increase as the blood pools inside your veins. Varicose veins include different types of symptoms depending on the cause of your problem.

The varicose or spider veins will develop if the valves inside your veins are unable to maintain the blood’s forward flow. When your veins transfer blood from the legs to the heart, they need the pressure to work against gravity. To cope with this situation, we have valves inside our veins. When the veins’ linings push the blood forward as we move, the valves hold it to prevent downward motion.

Whereas, when the valves are unable to perform their functions for any reason, the blood remains floating at a similar vein. And when the veins lose their ability to pass the blood forward, blood will remain stagnant. This can be an issue when more blood rushes inside from the previous valves as the veins start to fill-in with blood. This causes the vein to bulge up and become more prominent.

Remove Unsightly Veins varicose vein removal doctor nyc 01
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How to Remove Unsightly Veins

There are numerous techniques to remove these bulging veins. However, a professional vein specialist will recommend you the best treatments available. Below we will discuss these treatments, so you should know what you have to undergo during these surgeries.

1.    Sclerotherapy

The sclerotherapy technique does not include much pain, especially when an experienced surgeon is performing the treatment. This technique only includes injection that the expert will inject in your varicose vein. The specialist’s solution for removing the vein will be sticky that closes the ends instantly. Although this treatment looks harmless, there can be complications during the procedure that can lead to pain and other risk factors.

For instance, if an unprofessional vein specialist injects the solution into your muscle, you can experience severe pain and infection. This can happen if the specialist pushes the needle too far and penetrating the vein completely. Therefore, you should consult with a surgeon or vein specialist who has enough experience.

This technique for removing the vein has numerous variations, each of which increases the success rate of the technique. For example, in the ultrasound-guided technique, the doctor will precisely inject the solution inside the vein through ultrasound imaging.

2.    Laser Therapies

Laser technology includes a high beam of light that produces enough heat to damage the cells in the lining of your vein. This treatment is basically an advanced version of a traditional method that involved radiofrequency to generate the heat.

The surgeon will insert a thin tube inside your vein. This tube includes an optic laser device that shoots high sensitive laser beams to close the veins. By closing your damaged veins, blood will no longer pool inside the vein. The circulation flows normally diverting towards other healthy veins. On the other hand, this technique shrinks the vein, so the tissues consider that vein damaged. As a result, the tissues start to absorb the vein, and it eventually disappears after time.

Another version of this treatment does not include a tube to insert the laser technology inside the vein. In this technique, the professional surgeon will trace the damaged vein to damage the cells inside the veins. This technique is perfect for tiny varicose and spider veins.

Unsightly Vein Removal | Vascular Specialist Dr. Chideckel NYC
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Conclusion

There are many reasons why many people prefer Vascular Surgery and Vein Center. One of them the satisfaction they feel when they see how their feet and hands look after treating themselves. Dr. Norman Chideckel is an experienced vein specialist and vascular surgeon. He will diagnose your condition and locate the main reason for the development of these unsightly varicose and spider veins.

If you want to learn more about this condition and treatment options, contact us at 212-993-6133.
Dr. Chideckel helps patients get rid of varicose and other unsightly veins.  

Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

If the tissues within the skin are swollen or inflamed for a long period of time, it may cause Lipodermatosclerosis, which is an inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. This usually occurs due to venous insufficiency, which is what varicose veins cause due to insufficient blood flow through the veins. The legs may feel sore and swollen and the tissue will feel hard around the leg. This can cause many other conditions such as edema.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

This is the most severe condition caused by varicose veins, hence why they should be treated. Many patients complaining of a “pulling sensation” in their leg and this is caused by a blood clot due to the build-up of blood in the vein. If this blood clot travels up further in the body, especially to the heart, lungs or brain, it can cause life-threatening injuries, as insufficient oxygen is delivered.

Hyperpigmentation

When varicose veins are left untreated for a long period of time, it can cause excess blood to leak into the tissues of the affected area. This will cause painful inflammation and swelling of the tissue and the skin can become discolored and dark. Once hyperpigmentation occurs on the skin, it can be hard to get rid of. Although usually medically harmless to the body, it can cause body confidence issues for many people.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Superficial Thrombophlebitis is another inflammatory condition caused by a blood clot in the veins beneath the skin. This affects the vein more than the surface of the skin, although the skin may become red around the affected area. The vein may feel very sensitive to touch, which can cause ongoing discomfort. Left untreated, this can cause other complications such as cellulitis, which is a skin infection caused by bacteria.

Leaving varicose veins untreated can cause many other problems within the veins and surrounding tissues. Many problems that occur are very similar and it can be hard to know which one you are suffering from.

Call us today at 212-993-6133 to schedule an appointment with the best Varicose vein treatment doctor in New York City.

Can Stress Cause Varicose Veins?

We are living in a world that is getting more stressful with the passage of time. Although technology has made life easier in numerous ways, it has increased our stress levels due to various reasons. For example, having a smartphone makes you available 24/7. In case you are needed, you will be called at any hour of the night, no matter how inconvenient, and sometimes even on your vacation. It is hard to ignore that flashing light indicating new work emails when you get up. Moreover, people usually have the tendency of being very impatient and expect prompt responses to text messages.

This need to stay available all the time creates stress, which in the long run can be detrimental to your health. High stress levels can significantly impact your vascular system, causing a spike in blood pressure, heart diseases and sometimes varicose veins. A surge in blood pressure can impair vein walls causing varicose veins to appear.

Stress places a huge burden on your cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is vital for patients running a risk of venous diseases, to keep their stress levels in control. A stressful lifestyle often leads to lack of exercise, poor diet and alcohol or drug abuse, all of these undesirable habits can trigger or exacerbate vein diseases such as varicose veins, spider veins and deep vein thrombosis.

Long-term or chronic stress places excessive pressure on your veins, which may make it hard for the veins to pump blood back up to the heart, this blood will pool and cause the weak veins to swell.

People experiencing stress tend to care less for their bodies; this often leads to stress eating or too much pressure leaves little or no time for exercise. Any or both of these situations can cause people to put on weight, which adds extra pressure on their veins and weakens the venous walls. Stress-eating usually involves high intake of salty foods which can lead to high blood pressure. For people who are already vulnerable to varicose veins, this can have an adverse affect on vein health.

A majority of people resort to smoking as a coping mechanism to deal with stress. While it may offer a quick fix to stress relief, in the long run smoking greatly raises the chances of contracting a vein disease, not to mention the slew of other health problems that can ensue.

For people who have a family history of varicose veins, not a lot can be done to avoid this medical condition and varicose veins will usually appear irrespective of stress levels. That being said, there are several means of minimizing the chances of the appearance and severity of varicose veins.

The effective management of vein health in stressful circumstances usually entails treating your inner self. Begin by setting aside a few minutes every day for meditation or take frequent small walking breaks to raise the flow of blood and cognitive function. The next thing you can do is incorporate a relaxation activity like yoga, painting or reading in your daily activities.

You may find it extremely helpful to include an exercise program in your schedule; this will not only cut down stress but also boost your cardiovascular health and mitigate or prevent the development of varicose veins.

Call us today at 212-993-6133 to schedule an appointment with the best Varicose vein treatment doctor in New York City.

Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

Many people want to treat varicose veins due to cosmetic reasons, but there are many more reasons apart from their unsightly appearance to treat these blemishes on your skin. Varicose veins that are left untreated can cause mild to severe symptoms, depending on the person, and can even become life-threatening.

Lipodermatosclerosis

If the tissues within the skin are swollen or inflamed for a long period of time, it may cause Lipodermatosclerosis, which is an inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. This usually occurs due to venous insufficiency, which is what varicose veins cause due to insufficient blood flow through the veins. The legs may feel sore and swollen and the tissue will feel hard around the leg. This can cause many other conditions such as edema.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

This is the most severe condition caused by varicose veins, hence why they should be treated. Many patients complaining of a “pulling sensation” in their leg and this is caused by a blood clot due to the build-up of blood in the vein. If this blood clot travels up further in the body, especially to the heart, lungs or brain, it can cause life-threatening injuries, as insufficient oxygen is delivered.

Hyperpigmentation

When varicose veins are left untreated for a long period of time, it can cause excess blood to leak into the tissues of the affected area. This will cause painful inflammation and swelling of the tissue and the skin can become discolored and dark. Once hyperpigmentation occurs on the skin, it can be hard to get rid of. Although usually medically harmless to the body, it can cause body confidence issues for many people.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Superficial Thrombophlebitis is another inflammatory condition caused by a blood clot in the veins beneath the skin. This affects the vein more than the surface of the skin, although the skin may become red around the affected area. The vein may feel very sensitive to touch, which can cause ongoing discomfort. Left untreated, this can cause other complications such as cellulitis, which is a skin infection caused by bacteria.

Leaving varicose veins untreated can cause many other problems within the veins and surrounding tissues. Many problems that occur are very similar and it can be hard to know which one you are suffering from.

Getting treated for varicose veins is always the safest option, so schedule an appointment with the best varicose vein doctor in NYC today.

Call us today at 212-993-6133 to schedule an appointment with the best Varicose vein treatment doctor in New York City.

What Stockings Should I Wear?

Support Or Compression

Support or compression hose aid in vein blood flow return from the lower extremities.  They also prevent swelling of the lower extremities, and energize the legs during daily activities.  The questions often asked are which stocking are appropriate for me, and what is the difference between these stockings.

The appropriate grade level of stocking

Firstly, the stockings are graduated gradient stockings, meaning that the pressure is higher at the ankle, and lower at the level of the calf just below the knee.  The pressure in the stocking is measured in mmHg, with support hose at 8–15 mmHg, and compression hose in various pressures depending on the grade (15–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50mmHg).  The appropriate grade level of stocking is determined by symptoms, and physical exam findings.  The goal is to use the lowest degree of pressure that will be of benefit.  The sizing of a compression stocking is determined by measuring the circumference of the ankle, and of the mid-calf.  With support stockings, the size is usually determined based on shoe size.Compression Stocking

These stockings function by a squeezing of the “muscle pumps” of the calf, which are the muscles of the forefoot and calf.  This prevents blood flow and fluid from pooling at the area of the ankle.  As such there is no generalized benefit in wearing a stocking above the level of the knee.  There are exceptions though to this rule, for example – a woman who is pregnant would benefit from pantyhose, to reduce the pressure on the lower extremities by the enlarging uterus.  Another exception would be in someone who has varicose veins of the calf and lower thigh, such that the upper portion of the calf high stocking may cause an irritation to these veins, and they would be benefited by wearing a thigh-high stocking.

I have been often asked-don’t these stockings stop my circulation?  Of course the answer is that they do not, but people may notice an impression on the skin from the elastic band at the top of stocking.  To prevent this and also to obtain the maximum benefit from the stocking, I recommend placing stocking on the legs when they are elevated.  The ideal situation would be to put the stockings on before getting out of bed, but this is impractical, and it would be fine to put them on after showering, but first sit down and elevate the leg.  Some people notice that their legs feel uncomfortable with the stocking, and this most likely occurs because they put the stocking on after the legs have been dependent for a good period of time.  Another potential problem of placing stocking on after the leg is been dependent is that swelling may start to occur, and the stocking may then cause skin irritation.

Lastly, placing the appropriate stocking on the leg may pose a challenge, as the higher degree pressured stockings are more difficult to place.  This is an issue in the elderly or people with limited mobility due to arthritic changes.  In these situations, insisting on the appropriate pressure to manage an issue may not be doable, and as such the stocking will not be used leading to potential problems.  It is best in these cases to use a lesser degree of pressure, following the adage “something is better than nothing at all”.

Blood Clot in the Vein

Very often people may be confused, at no fault of their own, with regards to medical terms. The issue of “blood clot” is an example of this issue.

Blood clot can also be referred to as phlebitis, thrombosis, or thrombophlebitis. All of these carry the same meaning that is blood trapped in a vein.

The next issue then is to differentiate between a superficial and a deep vein blood clot, as their treatment will be different. Superficial vein blood clots are readily visible on the surface of the skin. They present as a firm, red streak over the anatomical course of the vein. This is so because it is an inflammatory reaction which causes the red discoloration and it is firm because blood is trapped inside the blood vessel. Deep vein blood clots are not visible, as these veins are located deep to the surface. They most often cause swelling and discomfort of the extremity, as again blood is trapped inside the blood vessel, not allowing the blood to flow out of the extremity and back to the heart.

It is important to be evaluated as soon as possible for either of these situations so that the diagnosis can be made and the appropriate treatment can be organized. The “gold” standard test is known as a venous duplex ultrasound. Again to avoid any potential for confusion, this test may also be referred to as a Doppler, sonogram, or ultrasound.

In a future blog, I will deal with the management of superficial vein thrombosis, and deep vein thrombosis.

If you have any questions about blood clots in the vein, call NYC best vein doctor, Dr. Norman Chideckel today!

Hand Veins

Many patients have come for consultation with regards to prominent veins of the hands. Are these varicose veins? Should they be treated as other varicose veins are treated?

These are the questions, that a vein specialist is often asked.Hand Veins

Hand Veins

As we age the veins on the hand become more noticeable. That is so because, our skin turgor (tightness of the skin), reduces as part of the normal aging process. As a result these veins become more prominent, and pose a concern to many people. These veins are normal, and have potential for use perhaps for intravenous access, or for use to obtain blood for routine blood testing. Unlike the varicose veins of the lower extremities, then, these veins serve a useful purpose.

Varicose veins of the upper extremity are rare, and if they develop, an evaluation is necessary to determine their cause. Is there an anatomical abnormality that is causing a compression, which is not allowing for normal vein blood flow return to occur, causing a “back up”. Many possibilities exist that can cause this to occur, and these will be addressed in a future blog.

So if one treats these veins, you are potentially destroying something that has important potential uses. The underlying issue that needs to be addressed is to increase the skin turgor, perhaps, by adding “collagen fillers” as is being used to treat these issues on the face. Having said that, if you, and you’re vein specialist make the decision to treat these veins, the options of sclerotherapy, or endovenous laser ablation do exist as are being used to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities.

If you have any questions about the veins of the hands or arms, or any other veins, call New York’s leading vein specialist, Dr. Norman Chideckel today!

Maintaining Vein Health During Exercise

What can I do to help vein health during exercise?

With people working out at gyms at record rates, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few thoughts regarding maintaining vein health during exercise.

During aerobic activities there is an increase in arterial blood flow to the muscles. Similarly, the venous system works harder to return this increased volume of blood back to the heart.

What to do during exercise for vein health

  1. Maintain adequate hydration – plain water is the best, with no added sugar. However, sport drinks may add the benefit of electrolytes, such as potassium, which helps with muscle function.
  2. Avoid hyperextension of joints – this may cause damage to the underlying veins by excess pressure. I often see people working out at the gym hyperextending or pulling back the shoulders too far which may lead to damage to the veins beneath the clavicle or collarbone.
  3. Take frequent rests between sets – this, along with adequate hydration, will protect the muscles and veins from damage.

Does wearing support hose during exercise have a benefit for veins?

Vein health and exercise varicose vein doctor nyc p02Many professional athletes wear support or compression hose when they compete. These seem to energize your muscles, preventing cramping and perhaps increasing performance. The clinical benefit of these support or compression hose seem to be after the exercise session, as they help in clearing the lactic acid that accumulates in the muscles during aerobic activities. Taking a page from the “pros”, it may make sense to give support hose a try.

Finally, remember that we excise to promote good health. Overdoing it has its dangers, and since most of us are not training to be professional athletes, there is no benefit in pushing it to the limits. Also, if you injure yourself, you will miss days at the gym.

To learn more about venous health or for any vein problems you may experience, call our office to schedule a consultation.