Carle Spine Institute | 610 North Lincoln Ave. Urbana, Illinois 61801 | Medical Advice Nurse 217-383-6555

Tour the Center

Mini-brochure

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
A Lifetime of Activity: How PM&R Teaches Patients to Help Themselves

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.

Quick navigation links:

Sitemap | Home | Downloads | Patient Rights | About Carle Spine Institute in Illinois | Center of Excellence | Spine Physician Bios | Illinois Spine Center Overview | Locations in Urbana, Mattoon, Danville, IL | For Case Managers | In The News | Spine Problems | Back Pain | Neck Pain | Degenerative Disc | Herniated Disc | Bone Spur | Stenosis | Scoliosis | Kyphosis | Spondylolysis | Spinal Tumor | Treatment | Diagnostics | PM&R | Physical Therapy | Nonsurgical Care | Spine Surgery Options in Illinois | Artificial Disc | Minimally Invasive Surgery | Home Remedies | Educational Resources | Spine Health E-zine | Symptoms Chart | Anatomy Library | Exercise Library | Back Exercises | Neck Exercises | Strengthening Exercises | Preventing Back Pain | How to Lift | Clinical Outcomes | Our Report Card | NCQA Recognition | Contact Carle Spine Institute in Illinois | Appointment | Second opinion before spine surgery | Billing | Employment

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.   Web design & Copyright © 2008 Prizm Development, Inc., the most experienced developer of spine centers of excellence. www.prizmdevelopment.com