Premier Pain Talk

Opening an Ambulatory Surgery Center - The Do's and Don'ts

In this episode of Premier Pain Talk, Dr. Michael Danko sits down with Jennifer Craft, Director of Nursing for Premier Surgical Institute, to take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to open and operate an ambulatory surgery center. From regulatory hurdles and staffing challenges to building workflows and patient safety protocols, Jennifer shares valuable insight into the complex process of launching a high-functioning surgical facility.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a student, or simply curious about the world of outpatient surgery, this episode offers a candid look at the dedication, planning, and teamwork behind the scenes of an ASC.
 
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Stabilizing the Source - Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Fusion

In this episode of Premier Pain Talk, Dr. Michael Danko dives into the sacroiliac (SI) joint - a commonly overlooked but critical source of low back and pelvic pain. If you've been dealing with chronic discomfort and other treatments haven't helped, the SI joint might be the missing piece of your pain puzzle.
Dr. Danko explains how SI joint dysfunction is diagnosed, the limitations of conservative treatments, and when surgical intervention becomes the best option. We'll walk through the sacroiliac joint fusion procedure itself -- what it involves, how it works, and what recovery looks like -- and discuss who makes a good candidate.
Whether you're a patient exploring your options or a provider seeking deeper insight into interventional pain solutions, this episode offers clear, expert guidance on a procedure that can restore stability and improve quality of life.
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Low Back Pain is the Tip of the Iceberg

In this week’s episode, Dr. Michael Danko dives into one of the most common, and misunderstood, complaints in pain management: low back pain.
While it may sound straightforward, “low back pain” can be the surface symptom of many different underlying issues. Dr. Danko unpacks the complexity behind this diagnosis, exploring how detailed physical exams, imaging, and a thorough understanding of each patient's symptoms work together to uncover the true source of the pain.
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Neuromodulation and Advanced Pain Procedures

In this episode of Premier Pain Talk, we dive into the world of neuromodulation and advanced pain procedures that are changing the game in pain management. Dr. Danko breaks down spinal cord stimulators, peripheral nerve stimulators, and intrathecal pain pumps—explaining how these cutting-edge therapies help patients regain control over their pain. We also explore minimally invasive procedures like the MILD procedure and the Vertaflex procedure, along with other innovative techniques designed to provide long-term relief.
Whether you're a patient seeking options or a provider looking to stay informed, this episode is packed with valuable insights on the latest advancements in pain treatment. Tune in to learn how these technologies are transforming lives!

Pain Management 101 - The Most Common Pain Procedures

In this episode of Premier Pain Talk, Dr. Michael Danko breaks down the seven most common pain management procedures, including epidural steroid injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablations, SI joint injections, small and large joint injections, and trigger point injections.
Whether you're a new or experienced provider looking to refine your knowledge or a pain patient wanting to better understand your treatment options, this episode offers valuable insights into how these procedures work and who they can help. Tune in for a clear and practical guide to the most frequently performed interventions in pain management!
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Behind the White Coat: Insights from a New Provider in Pain Management

In this episode of Premier Pain Talk, host Dr. Michael Danko is joined by April Egbert, DNP, APRN, and special guest Lindsay Link, PA-C, a newer provider in the field of pain management. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s really like stepping into this specialty — from the challenges of treating complex pain conditions to the rewarding moments of helping patients regain their quality of life. Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of pain care, this episode offers a candid look at the journey of a new provider and the dedication it takes to make a difference.
 
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Misperceptions of Pain Management

In this eye-opening episode of Premier Pain Talk, Dr. Michael Danko sits down with special guests April Egbert, DNP, APRN, and Lindsay Link, PA-C, to tackle the many misperceptions surrounding pain management. They dive into the myths patients often believe, the realities of modern pain care, and even share what surprised them about the specialty before becoming providers in the field themselves. If you’ve ever wondered what pain management truly involves — and what it doesn’t — this candid conversation is a must-listen. Tune in for expert insights, thoughtful discussions, and a fresh perspective on an often-misunderstood field.
 
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Intrathecal Pain Pumps with Dr. Michael Danko and April Egbert, DNP, APRN

It's the return of Premier Pain Talk!
Dr. Michael Danko is joined by April Egbert, DNP, APRN to discuss how patients are selected who may be good candidates for Intrathecal Pain Pumps, how patients are prepared for their pain pump trial period, expectations of insurance companies, and what to expect in the months that follow a patient's pump implant.
Premier Pain Treatment Institute is a pain management clinic with locations in Hillsboro, Loveland, Middletown, and Mount Orab, Ohio. Visit us online for more information! 
Resources:
Premier Pain Treatment Institute
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on TikTok

Treatment For Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain- EP 26

Treatment For Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
Today on the podcast, host, Dr. Michael Danko talks about one of the most common causes of low back pain. Tune in to learn about the characteristics of sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and the different treatments that are available.
Episode Highlights:
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is a common contributor to low back pain. 
The SI joint is primarily designed for stability; It is a shock absorber for the forces that are transmitted from the spine into the extremities. It has a joint capsule and ligament structure around it.The joint is pretty complex where it is part of the kinetic chain that connects the spine with lower extremities.
Dr. Danko explains what primary and secondary pain generator means.
How do you experience problems with the SI joint? What are the main causes?
Dr. Danko talks about the mechanics of the joint and how arthritis, trauma, and pregnancy are a few contributors.
What other things can lead to SI pain?
How does SI joint present?
If you have a burning quality sensation or numbness and tingling that is most often a sign of nerve root compression or pinched nerve.
There are different diagnostic maneuvers they can do in the eam room to determine if the SI joint is the cause of the pain.
What medications are used to treat SI joint pain?
Physical therapy can be helpful for the condition but if medication and physical therapy do not work, they can do injections to the joint.
How do you know if you need to move on to longer term solutions?
Dr. Danko explains what a posterior SI joint fusion is and how it works.
What about radio frequency ablation?
 
Resources:
https://premierpaintreatment.com/
https://premierpaintreatment.com/locations/
https://www.facebook.com/PremierPainTreatment/
Call the office at 513-454-7246

Restorative Treatment For Mechanical Low Back Pain- EP 25

Restorative Treatment For Mechanical Low Back Pain
Dr. Danko and his partner at the practice, Dr. Tim Feldheim hosted a webinar about an exciting new therapy called, ‘restorative neurostimulation’. Many people experience low back pain at some point throughout their life and for varying reasons and this therapy is  targeted at low back pain.Tune in to learn more.
Episode Highlights:
There is an exciting new therapy called restorative neurostimulation; The implantable device that provides the therapy is called reactivate.
Dr. Feldheim talks about how this therapy is targeted at low back pain and overviews back pain in general. 
Why might you have a need for low back surgery?
What is stenosis and what does it cause?
Mechanical low back pain constitutes ⅔ of patients with low back pain; Dr. Feldheim explains what processes occur to create pain.
Overload leads to pain and then our body responds with inhibition which happens when our muscles want to fire but they cannot. There is a continued and repetitive worsening cycle of overload, pain, inhibition.
The saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it, is true of the multifidus muscle as well”, says Dr. Feldheim.
Can fat integrate into muscle?
Dr. Feldheim talks about the current treatments for multifidus dysfunction. 
Have you heard of dry needling?
What is restorative neurostimulation?
With this new treatment, the focus is actually on the source of the pain and reversing that for people with mechanical low back pain. It is FDA approved. 
There are many things that set this therapy a part especially in its ability to reactivate muscle control, restore thfunction spine stability that a lot of the other therapies are not targeted at, and overall reduce pain.
Dr. Danko talks about how this is a novel therapy and how it differs from other kinds of stimulation devices.
This is a great long term therapy; There is already three year data out to show its effectiveness.
Dr. Danko says they have been  doing this implant for about 9 months at Premier Pain Institute. He gives the details about the device itself and how it works.
A significant reduction in pain medication was reflected with the research studies done on the longevity of this treatment.
What does the continued improvement look like over the long term?
This is a reversible therapy that can be removed. 
If you can reverse the cascade from the initial injury and restore your core stability and strength, and you don’t have an active energy, you could restore and heal yourself with the device and not have to use it long term.
What about routine use?
Dr. Danko talks about the indexes they use to gauge function and pain levels.
The data supports this to be a safe device with a low risk of complications.
What is the typical schedule with the reactive device with utilization of it?
What is the difference between this and a TENS unit and why is this a better therapy?
It is a minimally invasive surgery. Dr Danko talks about what to expect and the steady improvement.
Representatives help you get set up and continue to maintain and adjust the device.
There is broad established insurance coverage for this treatment as well.
 
Resources Mentioned:
https://premierpaintreatment.com/
https://premierpaintreatment.com/locations/
https://www.facebook.com/PremierPainTreatment/
Call the office at 513-454-7246