It was a routine diagnostic lumbar puncture, requiring only the smallest bit of lidocaine. As the procedure flew by, I was reminded of previous struggles to perfectly position the patient in alignment to minimize pain. This was nothing like that. As a neurologist, I already knew how to prepare, keeping my free arm straight and balanced atop my knee, my other hand resting under my pillow to align my neck. There was almost no pain, just the usual sensation of pressure, and in what felt like minutes, my physician was applying a small bandage to my nonbleeding back.