Alireza Soltanzadeh

Dr. Alireza Soltanzadeh is a highly experienced anesthesiologist and critical care specialist in Istanbul, Turkey with over 25 years of expertise in cardiothoracic anesthesia, intensive care, and advanced pain management. Since 2018, he has been practicing at Istanbul Okan University Hospital and serving as academic staff at the Faculty of Medicine. His international background, extensive training, and multilingual communication skills make him a sought-after physician for both local and international patients seeking specialized anesthesia care, particularly for heart, lung, and complex surgical procedures.

Areas of Expertise

Cardiac (Cardiothoracic) Anesthesia
Critical Care & Reanimation
Algology (Pain Medicine): Chronic pain, including back and neck disc herniations, major joint pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia
Advanced Pain Management Techniques:
- Peripheral nerve blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation pumps
- Ozone therapy
- Ultrasound‑guided invasive vascular access (e.g., aortic balloon pumps, chemotherapy ports, central infusion pumps).

Professional Highlights & Contributions

Over two decades of leadership, including serving as Chief Physician at a state hospital in Iran, and participating in advanced courses across Germany.
Strong interest in integrating ozone therapy, digital medical device innovation, and patient safety enhancements during anesthesia into practice.
Frequent contributor to international conferences and journals in anesthesia and pain management.

Academic & Clinical Affiliations

Serving at Istanbul Okan University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, since 2018.
Also affiliated with Istanbul Okan University’s Faculty of Medicine (Tuzla Campus) as an academic staff member (“Asst. Prof.”).

Patient-Focused Treatments

Non-surgical, technology-supported solutions for chronic pain (“Pain‑free, barrier‑free…just LIFE”)
Treatments include interventions for spinal stenosis, joint injections, nerve blocks, fibromyalgia, spinal cord stimulation, and ozone therapy.

Gallery

Education

1988–1995: General Practitioner training at Ruhr University (Germany) and Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
1996–2000: Specialty in Anesthesiology & Critical Care, Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
2005: Short course in Cardiovascular Anesthesia at NRW Heart and Diabetes Center (Germany).
2006: Fellowship in Cardiothoracic (Cardiac) Anesthesia at Çapa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University.

Languages

English
Persian
Turkish
German

Memberships & Certifications

Member of the Turkish Medical Council (TTB) Since 2017
Member of the Iran Medical Council (IMC) : License Number 56242
Member of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) 1999-2002
Member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 2000-2004
Member of the Iranian Anesthesia Society (IAS) Since 1999
Member of the Turkish Intensive Care Association Since 2020
Member of the Turkish Anesthesia and Reanimation Association (Tard) Since 2021
2019: Ozone Therapy certification, Medipol University, Istanbul.
2012 & 2016: Pain Management courses at Çapa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, and Meinz University Hospital.

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1. What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain persists for longer than three months and continues despite treatment; it may even remain after the initial cause has resolved.

2. What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can result from muscle strain, herniated disc, poor posture, arthritis, or nerve compression.

3. What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome marked by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

4. How is a migraine treated?

Migraine attacks are often managed with pain relievers, triptans, or preventive medications. Stress management and avoiding known triggers are also key.

5. Can painkillers be addictive?

Opioid painkillers have a risk of addiction with prolonged use and should only be used under a physician’s supervision.

6. What helps relieve neck pain?

Non-addictive pain relievers, physical therapy, posture correction, and ergonomic adjustments can all help alleviate neck discomfort.

7. How is nerve compression pain treated?

Options include physical therapy, medication, injection therapies, or surgery, depending on severity and underlying cause.

8. Which specialist should I consult for joint pain?

Joint pain may be treated by a rheumatologist or pain medicine (algology) specialist, who can tailor treatment accordingly.

9. Do corticosteroid injections relieve pain?

Yes, corticosteroid injections are often effective for inflammatory joint pain but should be used cautiously due to potential long-term effects.

10. What might cause back pain?

Back pain can signal issues like muscle spasms, spinal disorders, kidney stones, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia, among others.

11. Are topical pain-relieving creams effective?

They can be helpful for mild to moderate muscle pain—but have limited penetration to deeper tissues.

12. Which department handles headaches?

Neurology or pain medicine specialists are the right professionals to consult for headache evaluation and treatment.

13. How is shingles (herpes zoster) pain treated?

Treatment often includes antiviral medication, analgesics, and targeted therapies for nerve-related pain.

14. How can herniated disc pain be relieved?

Treatment may involve physical therapy, medications, epidural injections, or, in severe cases, surgery.

15. How is cancer-related pain managed?

Cancer pain may be controlled with opioids, radiation therapy, nerve blockade procedures, or integrative pain management approaches.

16. Can pain have psychological origins?

Yes. Chronic pain is often aggravated by conditions like anxiety and depression and can benefit from integrated psychological support.

17. What helps alleviate muscle aches?

Rest, massage, alternating hot and cold compresses, and muscle relaxants can be effective.

18. What is diabetic neuropathy pain like?

It typically manifests as burning or tingling sensations caused by nerve damage from long-term diabetes.

19. Do painkillers harm the stomach?

NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin) can irritate or damage the gastric lining—especially with prolonged use.

20. How is rheumatic pain treated?

Rheumatic pain is often managed with disease-modifying medications, physical therapy, and exercise to support joint function.

21. What is trigeminal neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a severe, electric-shock-like facial pain that comes on abruptly—often triggered by simple activities like chewing or speaking.

22. Do non-opioid painkillers cause addiction?

Non-opioid pain medications are generally safe from a dependency standpoint—but long-term use may pose risks to organs like the liver or kidneys.

23. Why do headaches occur?

Headaches may result from stress, migraines, sinus congestion, eye strain, or high blood pressure, among other causes.

24. What exercises help with back pain?

Low-impact routines such as Pilates, swimming, and core-strengthening exercises can support back health.

25. Can an MRI diagnose the pain source?

Yes. MRI scans are excellent for detecting structural causes like spinal disc herniations or nerve compression.

26. Is acupuncture effective for pain relief?

Acupuncture may offer supportive relief for conditions like chronic pain, migraines, and fibromyalgia as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

27. When are pain‐relieving injections used?

These injections may be used when pain is severe or oral medications are unsuitable. They’re administered under medical guidance.

28. How is osteoarthritis pain managed?

Treatment goals include improving joint flexibility and mobility through targeted exercise, weight control, and appropriate medication.

29. How is nerve injury–related pain addressed?

Depending on your condition, options may include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or nerve block procedures.

30. Is back pain during pregnancy normal?

Yes. Hormonal shifts and increased body weight during pregnancy commonly lead to lower back strain—but it can be managed safely.