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What is a Physiatrist?
Physiatrists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of back and spinal conditions but do not perform invasive surgery. A vast majority of patients with back, neck and musculoskeletal pain do not require surgery. In these cases a physiatry clinic is the perfect choice. Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine and all areas of rehabilitation, including social, vocational, and medical. They focus on maximizing function to improve the quality of life for patients. Some Physiatrists undergo further fellowship training in interventional spinal procedures and pain medicine. Why Choose a Physiatrist?
Given the wide variety of specialists who treat back and neck pain, why choose a physiatrist? It's helpful to look at the three broad groups of providers who treat back and neck discomfort. Patients often seek advice from their primary care providers (e.g. family practice physicians, internists, obstetricians, gynecologists, ER physicians and pediatricians). Some primary care physicians have experience in back and neck care. Others are more comfortable referring patients to their colleagues. Spine specialists have a more specific area of expertise in certain diagnoses and/or treatments for back and spinal conditions. They include surgeons, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, neurologists, and rheumatologists. Some, but not all, in this group may be certified in Pain Management. A third group of caregivers who can help patients with back and neck pain are physical therapists, chiropractors and clinical psychologists. Interventional Physiatrists like Drs. Bentley and Wilson are specifically trained to provide non-surgical treatment for spinal and musculoskeletal problems that cause pain, weakness, and numbness. They start with a thorough history and physical to determine the cause for the pain. Diagnostic studies such as nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), and diagnostic joint and spinal nerve blocks help them diagnose and treat patients. Once they understand the source of the problem, they offer a broad spectrum of conservative non-surgical treatments that may include therapeutic spinal and joint injections, trigger point injections, prolotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, therapeutic exercise, massage therapy, biofeedback, and/or judicious use of medications. They generally do not believe in the long term use of opioids for most spinal and musculoskeletal conditions and typically do not manage narcotic medications in the absence of other active treatment. Common Causes of Neck and Back Pain
Neck pain and back pain are the two ailments that are most commonly seen at Piedmont Spine Specialists. With respect to neck pain, most people don’t usually think much about the space between their head and shoulders until they experience neck pain. But once they feel discomfort, common everyday activities like talking on the phone, driving, and sleeping can be major sources of discomfort. Back pain can be utterly debilitating as well, preventing sufferers from working, engaging in leisure activities, and interacting with family and friends. Neck and back pain can result from a variety of causes. These include: repetitive strain injury; radiculopathy (i.e., a pinched nerve, usually caused by a herniated disc or stenosis); myofascial pain caused by poor posture, sitting at a computer, or other job-related tasks; arthritis; spinal stenosis; tendon, ligament, and soft tissue pain. Occasionally, neck and low back pain are not related to spinal causes and are referred from other structures. The doctors at Piedmont Spine Specialists can use their strong musculoskeletal and orthopedic backgrounds to help diagnose other pathology that may be producing neck or back pain, such as the shoulder or hip. Dr. Wilson states, "Procedures to differentiate the source of the pain are often overlooked. Through certain diagnostic procedures we are able to determine the pain generator. For example, we can differentiate the source of pain, either neck versus shoulder or low back versus hip. Once we establish the pain generator, we can address it specifically. " Cameron Cox, the 36 year old President of Management Services On-Call, a medical billing and consulting company in Chapel Hill, sought care from Piedmont Spine Specialists in the summer of 2006. He was unable to walk and was experiencing severe back pain. Dr. Bentley took a conservative approach. Rather than initiate treatment without understanding a potential pain generator, he obtained an MRI to diagnose a degenerative disk that would unlikely respond to surgery. Two epidural steroid injections were effective. Cameron adds, "Both Dr. Bentley and Dr. Wilson have experienced back pain themselves, and their understanding and compassion is outstanding." What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or D.O.?
Much like a Medical Doctor a D.O. is a physician who has four years of Medical School and completes Residency Training. The difference between an M.D. and D.O. is that holders of the D.O. degree are known as osteopathic physicians, while holders of the similar, but more common M.D. degree are known as allopathic physicians. Doctors of osteopathic medicine follow accepted allopathic methods of diagnosis and treatment but are trained to place additional emphasis on the achievement of normal body mechanics as central to maintaining good health. What do I need know about my first visit?
On your first evaluation/consultation: Patients will undergo a thorough spinal and musculoskeletal evaluation and since your privacy is very important to us, you may bring gym shorts and a t-shirt. Also, bring all imaging studies (ie. x-rays, MRI's, CT scans, etc.) and any medical records pertinent to your condition. If you are scheduled for a spinal injection and are currently taking blood thinning medication (such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc.), please contact our office for additional instructions. You should arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out any necessary paperwork. Fill out your paperwork before you arrive by downloading the forms here! What if I have questions about my bill?We use a billing company, Management Services On Call. Should you have any questions about your bill please contact them at 919-967-6646 or visit their website at msoconline.com. Where can I find out more information about my conditions and treatments?
We find the following websites very beneficial for understanding more about your spinal condition and
treatments such as injections. |
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