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A Lifetime of activity: How PM&R teaches patients
to help themselves
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A physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, specializes in the nonsurgical management of back and neck pain. While many doctors provide drugs to mask symptoms of pain, these drugs leave a patient debilitated and dependent upon them for pain relief. A physiatrist, on the other hand, provides techniques and treatments that enable back and neck pain sufferers to return to activity without surgery.
What is a physiatrist?
With so many subspecialties in medicine, it is no wonder that many people do not know exactly what a physiatrist does, even if they have heard the term. It has become a nationwide trend for highly respected spine centers to use physiatrists to treat cases of back and neck pain.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) doctor may use a variety of tests to diagnose your back or neck pain. Physiatrists may also use spinal injections for pain relief and for diagnostic purposes.
So what does that mean for me?
Essentially, a physiatrist has unique skills to offer a back or neck pain sufferer. Instead of masking pain with drugs, a physiatrist identifies the cause of the pain. They often help patients relieve pain symptoms without surgery.
About SpineTeam Spokane | Spine Conditions: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease, Herniated Disc, Bone Spur, Spondylolsis, Facet Joint Disease, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Stenosis, Spine Tumor | Treatment: Physical Medicine, Injection Therapy, Nonsurgical Spine Care, Physical Therapy, Home Remedies | Educational Resources | Patient Center | Contact our Spokane, Washington locations | Sitemap
Disclaimer:
The pictures displayed in www.SpineTeamSpokane.com are images of physicians, patients and employees who have consented to have their pictures in this website.
Need more information on back and neck pain?
Click here to view resource books on spine problems, what causes back pain, what causes neck pain and when to see the doctor.
Educational illustrations and content Copyright © 2010 Prizm Development, Inc.
Web design & Copyright 2011 © Prizm
Development, Inc.
www.prizmdevelopment.com
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You might be surprised to learn that 80 percent of the time, back and neck pain is simply a result of strain or soft tissue injury. Click here to learn about the different conditions related to neck and back pain and how to relieve symptoms through treatment.
 The vast majority of back problems improve on their own or with nonsurgical treatment. There are a few warning signs, however, that may indicate serious spinal problems. Click here to learn more.
 At Spine Team Spokane we develop home exercise programs that are customized for an individual’s specific back problem. These exercises can be done on the living room rug while watching TV. Other stretching exercises can be done throughout the day to increase flexibility. Click here to learn more.
 Injection therapy is intended to be a means to an end. The goal is to provide the patient with enough pain relief to bridge from inactivity to physical therapy, where back problems can be better treated with special exercises. Click here to learn more.
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