Blog Archive

There’s a reason PRP treatments continue growing in popularity. Also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy, this treatment works to heal a painful injury, not just mask symptoms. And the best part? It uses your own body to do it.  Dr. Jeffrey Glaser and Dr. John Zheng offer cutting-edge solutions, like...

If you’ve struggled to find relief for chronic migraines, you’re not alone. This complex neurological disorder can prove challenging to treat. Unfortunately, that has left far too many people with debilitating symptoms that make it difficult to function on a daily basis. If this sounds familiar, we have good news....

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

It’s fairly impossible to confuse sciatica with other pain conditions. That’s because it causes telltale symptoms that run along the sciatic nerve, from your lower back to your foot — hence, the name “sciatica.” When sciatica develops, it’s typically due to inflammation, irritation, or compression on this important nerve. It...

The words “spinal stenosis” may not come up frequently in casual conversation. But this condition is quite common, especially in people over age 50.  When you have spinal stenosis, the spaces inside your spinal canal begin to narrow. Without sufficient space, the spinal cord or nerves in the area can...

You’ve heard the phrase “No pain, no gain.” But if you’re using it as part of your training strategy, you could be setting yourself up for disaster. It’s completely normal to feel the burn when pushing your limits during training or exercise. But that idea also causes confusion when you...

Spinal stenosis is a debilitating condition that puts pressure on spinal nerves. It occurs when spaces within the spine start to narrow and cause constriction. When it develops in your lower back, it triggers a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, from back pain to numbness, tingling, weakness, and cramping in your...

Finding solutions for chronic pain can seem frustrating, especially when you live with conditions like osteoarthritis. However, there’s an option that addresses pain in a different way, no surgery required. Our team at Glaser Pain Relief Center offers the latest in comprehensive treatments at our practice in San Fernando Valley’s...

Back pain is a common problem, especially in the lower spine. More than 80% of people will have a major episode of back pain at some time during their life. Sometimes surgery is “needed”, but often it is not. Back pain is a chronic condition much like high blood pressure and...

There are plenty of things to love about smartphones, tablets, computers, and other tech gadgets. But the neck hump they can cause isn’t one of them. Neck humps go by many names, like dowager’s hump, round back, hunchback, and text hump. However, it also has a medical name: kyphosis. This...

Accidents happen when you least expect them. And even the smallest incident can leave you reeling. While you might walk away without obvious signs of a problem, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an expert. Accidents, by their very nature, cause a shock to the system. Some are obvious,...

People often focus on the pain that comes with a migraine. However, this malady can come with far more than a headache. It’s a neurological disorder that can trigger a wide range of debilitating symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. Up to 50% of people who live with migraines also experience...

Living with chronic pain takes a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health. And, unfortunately, it can often be very tricky to treat — especially challenging conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS typically affects the leg or arm, often following a specific event, like heart attack, surgery,...

Nothing can derail your day or your week more than a migraine. These severe headaches typically cause pulsing pain on one side of the head and often come with an aura, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. They can last for hours or days and truly interfere...

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of back pain? Is it herniated discs? Pinched nerves? Pulled muscles? While these are common causes of neck pain and back pain, there’s another condition that often causes issues, especially as you get older: spinal stenosis. Unlike other types...

Joint pain can leave a person feeling uncomfortable, depressed, and missing out on things they once loved. But it doesn’t have to. Instead, you can take action and deal with your joint pain, whether you make lifestyle changes, get medical treatment, or both. Our team at Glaser Pain Relief Center in Encino, California,...

Whether you’re at work or play, it’s tough to avoid using technology these days. In fact, most Americans spend around five and a half hours a day on their smartphone, which includes checking it every 10 minutes or 96 times daily.  And that doesn’t even include computer use and tablets. What...

Nothing is more frustrating than turning to surgery to eliminate chronic pain only to find that it doesn’t help. Unfortunately, this often occurs because of neuropathic pain, which develops when nerve fibers or pathways in your body are damaged or malfunctioning.  As a result, a person can live with chronic...

If you’ve ever had chronic pain, you know how frustrating it can be to find relief, especially if you feel as though you’ve tried everything under the sun — without success. However, if your symptoms involve nerves, we could have an answer that finally helps. Our skilled physicians at Glaser Pain Relief...

Living with constant pain can be frustrating and disappointing, especially when you’ve undergone surgery to address it but that doesn’t resolve your symptoms. While this phenomenon is known as failed back surgery syndrome, it doesn’t necessarily mean the procedure itself didn’t work to mechanically achieve it’s goal. .  Instead, it’s a...

Spinal stenosis is a common problem. Many people have the condition without showing any symptoms, but when issues arise, they can become so debilitating that they interfere with daily life. In the past, there were few pain relief options for spinal stenosis symptoms beyond conservative therapies or open spine surgery....

There’s a lot to love about spinal cord stimulation (SCS). It can provide relief for the most complex pain conditions — even those that haven’t responded to other treatments. However, that doesn’t mean SCS works for everyone, which is why we make sure it’s right for you before implanting your permanent device. It...

People have heard of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, but many don’t realize this innovative treatment has been used in surgical procedures to promote cell regeneration since 1987. Growing evidence is bringing a wider understanding of the benefits this game-changing therapy can have outside the operating room. At Glaser Pain Relief Center, our talented team brings...

If you have spinal stenosis, openings in your spine become narrow, which puts pressure on your spinal cord or spinal nerves. However, the narrowing can develop in different parts of the bones making up the spinal column and in different areas of the spine itself.  That means the effects of...

Did you know back pain causes more disability than any other condition worldwide? It’s so common that nearly 1 in 10 people experience lower back pain alone, so it’s no wonder they often turn to surgery for relief. Unfortunately, up to 40% of individuals still experience pain after their procedures, a problem...

Spinal stenosis is a common problem. In fact, you can find degenerative changes in the spine in up to 95% of people by the time they reach 50. However, age-related changes aren’t the only thing that increases your chances of this painful condition — spinal injuries can also put you at risk. Our team at Glaser...

It’s difficult to live your best life when you struggle with chronic pain. That’s because chronic pain takes a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Fortunately, advances in medical treatments offer unique and innovative strategies for easing these symptoms, even complex forms of pain involving the nerves. Our...

A vertebral compression fracture can happen to anyone, especially people with osteoporosis or anyone who’s experienced serious trauma. These fractures cause a sudden onset of back pain and limited mobility that negatively affects your everyday life.  However, there is hope. The kyphoplasty procedure involves creating space between fractured and compressed...

Herniated discs in lumbar spine (low back) can compress the sciatica nerve causing a condition called sciatica.  Sciatic pain can radiate into the buttocks and even down the leg into the foot.  The symptoms of sciatica can make it difficult to sleep or even to walk at times. You may...

If you get a migraine, headache, or nausea after you work out or do something strenuous, you might have wondered if you’re imagining it. It turns out that there may be a link between physical exertion and migraines. Migraine pain is considerably more severe than a tension headache. A proper...

Living with osteoarthritis is challenging at times. It can limit your mobility, which affects your ability to go out and do the things you want to do. Arthritis of the knee, in particular, is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. You may already have tried...

If you have chronic back pain, you can sometimes feel as though your life is limited by your pain. Especially if you enjoy frequent traveling, you may wonder if you have to just give up on travel altogether. You definitely don’t have to stop traveling just because you have back...

If you live with chronic back pain or neck pain, you already know how much it can interfere with your daily life. Your family doctor may not have many solutions for you and may only want to prescribe pills, which have a limited effectiveness and a high addiction potential. But...

You want to be a responsible consumer of health care services. You don’t want to go to the doctor for every little sniffle or twinge of pain. But sometimes, it can make things worse if you don’t see the doctor when you’re experiencing pain. So how can you tell when...

If you live with chronic neck and back pain, you know how much it can interfere with your life. You may have already tried several treatments, such as taking over-the-counter pain relievers. One treatment that you may not have considered is nonsurgical epidural steroid injections, which can provide powerful pain...

Back pain is extremely common, especially as you get older. It’s estimated that 80% of American adults will experience lower back pain at some point during their lives. It’s also the most common cause of disability. In some cases, the pain even becomes chronic. Back pain does increase in incidence...

If you suffer from migraines, you already know how debilitating they can be and how much they can interfere with your life. You may spend several days a month having to miss work or struggle through the workday when you’re in pain. And you’re not alone: As many as 39...

Sleep problems and chronic pain seem to often go together. It’s a vicious cycle: The more poorly you sleep, the more pain you feel, which in turn, often makes it more difficult to fall asleep the next night. If you have conditions like complex regional pain syndrome, this may be...

Unfortunately, back surgery doesn’t always provide the pain relief you expect. In some cases, the surgery itself can trigger new and often debilitating discomfort. This surgical failure is common enough that medical experts identify it as a syndrome with its own acronym – FBSS or failed back surgery syndrome. The...

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a compression of the nerves in the lower spine. It typically causes the patient a lot of pain in the legs when walking, which is generally relieved only upon sitting down or leaning forward. This often results in the patient needing a cane or walker, and...

Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, is a substance derived from blood that has properties that promote healing. PRP injections are inserted into damaged tissues and will stimulate your body. This stimulation results in your body growing brand-new, healthier cells. This treatment has been used for such varied conditions as osteoarthritis,...

Many people wonder what degenerative disc disease is. For starters, it’s not technically a disease; it’s a condition in which a damaged disc will start to cause pain. Symptoms of disc degeneration are the result of gradual wear and tear on spinal discs or an acute spinal injury. Disc degeneration is not...

Scoliosis often occurs during a child’s growth spurt just before puberty. Most cases are mild, with hardly any symptoms, but some people will develop spine deformities that can get severe as they grow. Vertiflex is a new treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis, but if you also have scoliosis you might be...

When patients come to my practice after back surgery, they are often disheartened because they have gone through a massive operation in the hopes that it would cure their underlying issue and leave them pain-free. The reality is much different. Many continue to have pain or develop new back pain, neck...

Being a pain management doctor, I often see patients with headaches at my practice. I get asked two questions most often: “Is it a migraine?” And “Could this be something serious, like a brain tumor?” The good news is, most headaches are not a brain tumor and are not serious....

Many patients are lost when they start developing back pain and or sciatica (pain going down a leg). Oftentimes back pain, neck pain, and sciatica can be severe. However, this does not necessarily mean surgery is necessary.  Where does a patient go when they experience new neck pain, back pain, sciatica and/or...

PRP therapy has been used for years to stimulate your body’s natural healing capacity. Most people want to try to avoid surgery for their conditions causing pain. PRP therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that promotes the healing of damaged soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Platelets...

Many people are worried about the coronavirus and what it will mean for their families, their businesses, and their lives. It feels like we are all at a standstill right now, trying to determine how we will move past this. While the economic recovery, and perhaps the mental one, will...

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system which also includes the brain. The spinal cord starts at the brainstem and ends in the lower back at the first lumbar vertebrae (L1). Nerves exit the spine from the spinal cord and provide sensory and motor functions to the...

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine used to promote healing of damaged soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Concentrated platelets are obtained from your own blood. These cells are essential for tissue regeneration and repair. Through a sophisticated,bio-advanced process, we are able to...

The spine is important as it provides support and structure to the body, enables movement, and protects the spinal cord, nerves, and many important organs. The bones (vertebrae) in the spine are separated by shock absorbers known as discs. Much like a tire, discs are subject to wear and tear....

Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and one of the most common reasons people miss work. In fact, most people will experience back pain at least once. Fortunately, there are measures that you can take to prevent or relieve episodes of back pain. Surgery is rarely needed,...

Chronic pain, or pain that lasts persistently for longer than three months, can make a person more susceptible to emotional changes such as depression and anxiety. Living with chronic pain can also affect relationships with others. Back problems can cause physical limitations, which makes a person more likely to stay at home...

On today’s podcast we are joined by Charlie Kirk, Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government. Turning Point USA is on more than 2000 college campuses and has consistently fought for the...

Most people suffer from back pain at least once, and it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In most cases, back pain can get better without surgery, but if your back pain disrupts your daily life and negatively impacts your quality of life, you should talk to...

Muscle knots are a common source of back pain. “Myofascial trigger point” is the medical term for them, which occur when the fibers of the muscle tense up and tighten. These feel like small, painful bumps that can cause pain and affect the range of motion. Muscle knots can be...

Of those who report having migraines, one of out every five experience a visual aura. This may be an ocular migraine or a visual migraine. An “ocular migraine” is used interchangeably to refer to two different conditions: migraine aura—or visual migraine—and retinal migraine. An ocular migraine is sometimes used as...

In the U.S. alone, more than 4 million people suffer from chronic migraines. Many of these people miss work and cannot function normally during a migraine attack. Despite how common and how debilitating migraines can be, many migraine sufferers do not seek treatment though there are a few treatment options...

Chiropractic is an alternative medicine that is concerned about back pain and treatment for back pain. Today we are joined by Shane Lawlor, one of Europe’s leading Golf Performance Therapists from Ireland, who is an expert in the treatment, assessment and rehabilitation of golf injuries. Highlights: How Active Release Technique...

The elbow is one of the largest joints in the body. It is responsible for many different movements and so there are a lot of opportunities for injury to the elbow. Because many activities put stress on the elbow, it is a very active joint in the body. The most...

Alcohol can have serious side effects on its own but when mixed with prescription painkillers, the effects can be lethal. There are many different types of painkillers available to those who suffer from chronic pain, but a good rule of thumb is to not consume alcohol while taking certain types...

You may be asking, “What is CRPS?” CRPS is a chronic condition that causes constant, burning like or fire-like pain, usually in an arm or leg. Patients are often sensitive even to light touch. CRPS typically manifests after an injury such as a fracture or even something as innocent as...

Chronic knee pain that’s caused by arthritis is an unpleasant situation that many people across the nation have to experience every day.  If you’re affected by knee osteoarthritis and are seeking knee pain relief, there is another option where others have failed. Viscosupplementation is a series of injections for knee pain that...

It’s not uncommon for older adults to develop back problems that can result in severe back pain. As we age, time takes a toll on our bodies overall, especially our backs.  You may be wondering, “What can cause lower back pain?” There are several factors that can result in the...

Do you suffer from chronic pain that gets in the way of your day to day life? Do traditional chronic pain management methods not work for you? If this describes your situation, you may benefit from a procedure known as a sympathetic nerve block.  Schedule a consultation with your pain...

If you have back problems that are causing consistent pain, you may be in need of an endoscopic discectomy. A back injury can cause you to have a herniated disc, which can cause debilitating pain that doesn’t go away on its own. You may need to seek out a back pain...

Sports injuries are common forms of injury that occur when participating in sports or exercise. They typically stem from overtraining, a lack of conditioning, or poor technique.  WHAT IS A SPORTS INJURY? Soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the most commonly affected areas of injury incurred. Bruises, sprains, tears,...

Working out and staying fit are necessities in living a long, healthy life. “But my back hurts!”, is something a lot of people say, and it keeps them from doing the things they love. However, even if you’ve sustained a back injury or are experiencing chronic lower back pain, you...

Joint pain can be defined as any pain, discomfort, or inflammation originating from any part of the joint. This includes structures around the joint such as cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. However, true joint pain refers to pain related to joint diseases like arthritis or arthralgia. Joint pain can range from...

Chronic back pain can interfere with almost every aspect of your life including your sex life. A recent study found that most people with back pain have a significant decrease in sexual activity because it triggers or exacerbates pain. Additionally, chronic pain is also associated with depression and moodiness, which can interfere...

Congenital means “existing from birth.” Congenital spinal problems are those that you are born with. These issues are caused by abnormal development in the spinal canal and usually are the result of atypical vertebral development in the embryo. Some of the more common congenital disorders are spina bifida, congenital scoliosis, vertebral stenosis,...

Valerie Von Sobel shares her life of struggles, misfortune, and surviving through it all. She tells of her son’s fight against a tumor, her husband’s tragic suicide, and how she survived through these critical times by focusing on the brighter side of life. She held herself strong for the rest...

John fought through it all. Diagnosed with cancer, he tried everything to stop the pain. The only option that really helped, however, was managing his pain with an opioid prescription. A difficult choice considering the tragic epidemic ravaging the country, John continued to search for other options hoping to avoid...

For many suffering from joint pain, inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, changes in the weather can lead to increased pain and stiffness. In fact, some people with arthritis even claim that they can predict the weather based on how their joints feel. While the research connecting joint pain and the...

Bob had suffered through back pain for over 30 years before meeting Dr. Glaser. To improve his quality of life, Bob had to have a spine surgery. An operation he then followed with a treatment using back-stimulating technology, which is currently supervised by Dr. Glaser. Throughout the podcast, Bob talks...

A success in his field, Dr. Bahar does not let his achievements limit him from further adventures. Discussing the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, Dr. Bahar details his life as a doctor, author, and “regular” human being. He speaks not only of his successes in life, but...

Unfortunately, back pain while pregnant is extremely common. In fact, between 50-70% of women experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy. This pain is more common in the later stages of pregnancy, and women that are overweight or that have previously had back pain are more at risk...

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which one or more spaces in the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Not all people with spinal narrowing experience symptoms, so the term spinal stenosis actually refers to the symptoms caused by this narrowing as opposed to the...

Arthritis literally means “joint inflammation,” yet the term is used to refer to over 100 conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissue and other connective tissue. It is a rheumatic disease, which means that it’s characterized by inflammation that affects the body’s connecting and supporting structures, most commonly joints, tendons,...

Degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease but is a condition where one or more discs between vertebrae deteriorate. These damaged discs can cause pain, primarily in the back or neck. This condition occurs as individuals age and is closely associated with other issues including osteoarthritis, herniated or bulging discs...

In this first episode, we meet Dr. Jeffrey Glaser as he introduces us to his life’s dedication to medicine. With strong personal motivation, Dr. Glaser seeks to improve the quality of people’s lives with minimally invasive procedures by focusing on the characteristics of interventional pain treatments. Because of his own...

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an innovative and increasingly popular type of regenerative medicine to treat acute and chronic soft-tissue injuries. This cutting-edge procedure is particularly popular for athletes and has gained notoriety in recent years as more and more high-profile athletes have utilized it as a way to return...

Regenerative medicine is one of the most innovative and cutting-edge fields in the industry, and it offers patients ways to utilize their body’s own healing process to relieve pain, heal injuries, and restore function. One of the most promising types of regenerative medicine is stem cell therapy, which uses the...

Vertiflex Superion is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. It is the only such class 1 evidence-based treatment, and it provides a minimally invasive alternative for patients that have not had success with other nonsurgical treatments. This procedure takes less than an hour and many patients...

Injection therapy is often associated with cosmetic procedures and thought to be used solely for the purpose of smoothing wrinkles, but the reality is that it can also be an effective way to treat chronic migraines. In fact, it’s an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines, which means sufferers endure 15...

A herniated or bulging disc is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. Intervertebral discs are located throughout your spinal cord and essentially act as shock absorbers for your spine. Discs have a tough outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus, and a soft, jelly-like center, called the...

Spinal discs are like rubbery cushions between vertebrae in your spinal column. Discs have a soft nucleus and a tough exterior, known as the annulus. Discs essentially act as a shock absorber for bones in your spinal column. A herniated disc occurs when the soft nucleus pushes out and breaks through the...

Trigger points are officially defined as “discrete, focal hyperirritable spots found on any taut band of skeletal muscles.” Most of us more simply refer to these as knots in the muscles that develop as a result of muscle tension. Oftentimes, there is even a tangible nodule at the trigger point...

An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can help to alleviate pain from a number of spinal problems. These steroid injections are generally used in order to decrease pain enough for patients to resume normal activities and to begin physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. Unlike oral steroids...

Selective Nerve Root Blocks are minimally invasive procedures that involve the injection of a local anesthetic along a selected nerve root. Nerve blocks can help to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and diagnose the source of pain. These procedures utilize needles and diagnostic imaging guidance to locate a specific nerve, and then inject...

Pain that comes from facet joints is known as facet syndrome. Each level of your spine has two facet joints that, together with an intervertebral disc, form each intervertebral segment. Facet joints let you bend and twist, and they’re also important for providing support and stability to your spine. If...

Chronic knee pain is defined as long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. There are many conditions that can lead to this type of pain; thankfully, however, there are also many treatment options. Often patients suffering from knee pain – especially those that have knee pain after...

Migraines are complex neurological disorders with unique causes and treatments. Migraines can interfere with every aspect of life—from daily activities to work and sleep—and the pain can be excruciating and debilitating. While the medical field is still working to understand all of the underlying causes of migraines, the good news is...

More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. For many, this pain interferes with daily activities, work, and sleep. To successfully treat and alleviate this type of pain, there’s rarely a quick and simple cure-all. Instead, it takes a multi-faceted treatment plan to achieve and maintain lasting results.  It’s becoming increasingly...

Patients are often anxious to get back to the sports that they love and regularly ask whether they can do so with back or sciatica pain. As is so often the case, the answer is that it varies widely from patient to patient. Determining whether it’s a good idea to...

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic (meaning lasting more than six months) pain condition that usually affects one limb – arm, leg, hand or foot – following an injury or trauma to the affected limb. The most common triggers for CRPS are fractures, muscle sprains or strains, soft...

Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an FDA approved treatment method to relieve chronic trunk (back) and limb pain as well as pain due to peripheral neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome. Think of SCS as a pacemaker for pain. Chronic pain is pain that lasts beyond the usual recovery period...

Nerve roots coming from the spinal cord are often the source of back, neck and shoulder pain. For individuals suffering from chronic neck and back pain, nerve ablations can be an effective way to manage this pain. A nerve ablation, also known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), is an innovative, non-surgical and...

Many people think of migraines as just a really bad headache, but this is inaccurate. Migraines are actually a neurological disease that involves a number of troubling neurological symptoms. Around 12% of American adults suffer from migraines, which are painful and often debilitating. As a result, it’s important to understand...

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical treatment, and a 2016 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis found that 50 million Americans suffered from chronic pain, with 19.6 million of those falling in the category of “high-impact” chronic pain. Chronic non-cancer pain...

8 out of 10 Americans will suffer from at least one major episode of back pain at some point in their lives. While surgery might seem like a good way to relieve chronic back pain, in most cases surgery is not “needed”. In fact, for many people spine surgery is...

Recent CDC data reports that almost 20% of people have experienced neck pain in the last three months. While there are a number of factors that could account for this, neck pain or stiffness is usually the result of neck muscles weakening from poor posture or misuse. The good news,...

When we talk of sciatica pain, we’re referring to painful symptoms in your buttocks or legs that travel along your sciatic nerve causing numbness, weakness and pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest type of nerve in your body. Each of us has two sciatic nerves that start on each...

Many patients suffering from chronic back pain look to surgery as a way to relieve their pain. While there are some situations when surgery is necessary, more often it is not the best way to resolve back problems. Among the many risks associated with back surgery, perhaps the greatest is...