Physiatry 101: Get Up and Go


Are you one of the millions of Americans who suffer from back pain due to sitting at a desk all day? Perhaps you are a weekend warrior who plays golf, pickle ball or tennis. Maybe you do chores around the house or wrestle with the kids and then can’t get out of bed on Monday morning? If you have experienced back pain due to these or other situations, a physiatrist at Resurgens Spine Center can be just what the doctor ordered.
What exactly is a physiatrist?
A physiatrist (pronounced fizz-eye-a-trist) is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). This specialty was established more than 60 years ago and currently has more than 10,000 physicians practicing in this multi-disciplinary field. Physiatrists are skilled in the diagnosis and management of a variety of nonsurgical musculoskeletal/ orthopaedic and neurologic conditions that cause acute and chronic pain, as well as musculoskeletal and neurologic dysfunction.
Where a cardiologist will deal with the heart and circulatory system, the main organ system physiatrists deal with is “function.” The ultimate goal is to utilize the most current and effective diagnostic and treatment methods available to restore normal function and maintain quality of life.
The Resurgens Approach
At Resurgens Spine Center, we have a dynamic team of board-certified physiatrists who diagnose and treat spinal disorders, spine disease and pain while providing comprehensive care. We utilize the latest technology to maintain the highest standards of patient management.
Statistics show that each of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives that will require medical attention. Here is our approach to managing your care conservatively to maximize your outcome without surgery.
- Our methodology includes obtaining a complete history. Then, we conduct a physical examination to assist in directing your care and in determining the source of your pain (muscle, bone, nerve, etc).
- We use different diagnostic studies (X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, bone density) and interpret and review these studies with you in our office to ensure that you completely understand the results.
- We use a variety of medications to help reduce your symptoms. Some of these include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and medications specific for controlling nerve pain.
- As physiatrists, we are trained and certified to perform electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCV). These aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of nerve-related injuries and neurologic diseases related to the spine and limbs.
- We will prescribe a focused and individualized physical therapy program emphasizing range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises specific to your diagnosis.
- We can also perform a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic interventional spinal injections for pain control. Among these are epidural steroid injections, facet injections, radiofrequency ablations and sacroiliac joint injections, just to name a few. To ensure accuracy and safety, these injections are performed under fluoroscopy (X-ray) guidance at one of our state-of-the-art out-patient surgery centers.
So, the next time you are experiencing a bout of back pain, consider how a Resurgens Spine Center physiatrist can assist you with getting back to doing what you love.
Eli A. Finkelstein, MD, received his medical degree from New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ). He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Finkelstein is Board- Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. Additionally, he is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Finkelstein practices at the Roswell, Cumming, and Johns Creek locations of Resurgens Orthopaedics.
Resurgens Spine Center • Non-surgical & Surgical Spine Care
25 Convenient Atlanta Locations • www.Resurgens.com/Spine