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Welcome Jennifer Hinchley MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Jennifer Hinchley MSN, APRN, FNP-C is a Nurse Practitioner certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Chamberlain University where she graduated with honors, Magna cum laude.

Jennifer has over eight years of nursing experience in various settings including the emergency room, immediate care center, oncology, and pediatrics. After furthering her career by obtaining an advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner, she has worked within the orthopedic and spine specialties before joining the team at Gateway. She also enjoys teaching and mentoring in her role as a Clinical Professor at Chamberlain University.

Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians are proud to announce their new Online Patient Portal!

HealthCare Support Portal facilitates better communication with your physician’s office by providing convenient 24×7 access from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office.

Dr. John Hong featured in Advocate Healthcare Health e-News

Dr. John Hong, a pain management specialist at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill, says there appears to anecdotally be a link between pain level and changes in the weather for his patients.

Dr. John Hong featured in Advocate Healthcare Health e-News: Why is chronic pain so difficult to treat?

Chronic pain is a silent, invisible disease that wrecks havoc on more than 100 million people in the U.S.

Dr. John Hong, a pain management specialist at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill, says chronic pain has become a public health issue, as more Americans suffer from it than diabetes, cancer and heart disease combined.

Chronic Pain: Defined, Diagnosed and Diminished

An interview with Interventional Pain Specialist, Dr. John Hong.

Can you describe chronic pain?

Dr. Hong: Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the usual time frame for healing, typically more than 2-3 months.

Dr. Hong named Medical Director of Pain Management at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois, has appointed Dr. John K. Hong the Medical Director of Inpatient and Outpatient Pain Management.

Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians relocate and expand Hinsdale and Downers Grove offices.

“The relocation into our new offices reflects our continued commitment at Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians to provide accessible, convenient care for patients in Hinsdale, Downers Grove, and surrounding communities. We are excited that our expanded hours will allow us to better serve the growing needs at these locations,” stated Dr. John Hong, M.D., founder and President of Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians.

Dr. Hong in the News

Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians is featured in the Chicago Tribune educational insert on brain and spine health.

New Procedures

Intrathecal baclofen drug delivery to treat spasticity is now being performed through Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians.

Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians earns AAAASF accreditation for patient safety

Bolingbrook, IL — Gateway Spine & Pain Physicians in Bolingbrook, IL has demonstrated its commitment to patient safety by gaining accreditation from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). AAAASF is celebrating its 35th year of promoting the highest quality patient safety in the ambulatory surgery setting (office-based or outpatient), as well as rehabilitation and outpatient therapy agencies and rural health clinics.

Pain Blog

Navigating Your Kyphoplasty Recovery Journey: Insights and Guidance

Recovering from kyphoplasty can feel like a journey filled with questions and uncertainties. This guide aims to provide clarity and insight into what you can expect during your recovery period, making the process smoother and more understandable. The Initial Hours Post-Procedure After undergoing a kyphoplasty, you’re likely to spend a few hours under observation due to the effects of general anesthesia. Recovery experiences differ among individuals. Some may head home within hours, while others might need an overnight stay. It’s common to feel a bit of soreness where the needle was inserted. Applying ice and using over-the-counter pain medication can be helpful. In this case, what to do after kyphoplasty involves resting for the remainder of the day, and it’s

How Long Does Back Pain Last? Understanding the Duration and Seeking Help

Experiencing back pain is common, but knowing how long back pain lasts can be crucial for your health and well-being. Back pain, a widespread ailment, often manifests as aching, burning, or varying intensities of discomfort. Understanding when this pain crosses from a temporary setback to a lingering issue is essential. The Culprits Behind Back Pain Back discomfort can stem from various causes, ranging from acute injuries to chronic conditions. Whether it’s a sports-related strain, an awkward twist or lift, or even prolonged periods of sitting or standing at work, back pain does not discriminate. It’s important to be aware of certain risk factors that might predispose you to back issues. These include: Age-related conditions like osteoarthritis Occupational hazards Excessive body

What to Expect Following Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Surgery

Undergoing spinal cord stimulator implant surgery is a significant step toward managing chronic pain. Knowing what to expect with spinal cord stimulator implant surgery post-op is crucial for a smooth recovery and effective pain management. Initial Recovery Phase Immediately after the procedure, you should allow your body to heal properly. For the initial few days, your movements will be restricted to prevent any disturbance to the stimulator leads. Activities such as bending, stretching, and lifting objects heavier than five pounds should be avoided. It’s common to experience some swelling at the site of the stimulator, but this should subside over time. Activity Resumption Can you resume physical activity after the surgery? Yes, but it must be gradual. Walking is encouraged

Can UTIs Lead to Back Pain?

Back pain is a common ailment, often leaving sufferers searching for potential causes. A frequently overlooked source of this discomfort is a urinary tract infection (UTI). While most associate UTIs with symptoms like burning during urination, it’s important to ask if a UTI causes back pain. The UTI-Back Pain Connection A UTI typically impacts the lower urinary tract, involving the bladder and urethra. In such cases, one might wonder if a urinary tract infection causes back pain. Generally, lower UTIs wouldn’t directly result in back pain. However, if the infection progresses to the kidneys, this changes. An upper UTI, or kidney infection, can indeed cause lower back pain. This type of infection is serious and requires prompt medical attention to

Understanding Headaches from Excessive Sleep

Waking up with a sore neck is a common discomfort that many of us have experienced at some point. The good news is that there are effective ways to relieve neck pain from sleeping wrong. Whether you reside in bustling cities like Chicago or tranquil suburbs, the following tips are universal in their application. Sleep Requirements Vary The ideal amount of sleep varies from person to person and is influenced by several factors such as age, exercise habits, overall health, and mental state. These needs can change over time. Adults typically require between 7 and 9 hours of sleep nightly. However, circumstances like stress or illness can increase this need. The Science Behind Sleep and Headaches Oversleeping disrupts the natural

How to Manage Muscle Knots in Your Neck

How to Manage Muscle Knots in Your Neck Are you experiencing a muscle knot in your neck that won’t go away? It’s not uncommon, especially in today’s digitally inclined world. Whether it’s the posture from texting or prolonged periods at the computer, these activities can lead to discomfort. However, there’s good news. Simple self-care measures like massages and stretches can offer relief. What Are Neck Knots? A muscle knot, or a trigger point, is essentially tight muscle fibers that contract and tense up. This can occur even when the muscle isn’t actively moving. The neck is particularly vulnerable to these knots due to our daily habits and, sometimes, emotional stress. Such knots can cause pain, which might feel dull, achy,

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