Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Treatment Options
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation(PM&R) is also known as physiatry and practitioners in this space are known as physiatrists.
PM&R is one of 24 specialties of medicine certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
The term physiatrist sounds like, and can be confused with, podiatrist (a foot doctor) and psychiatrist or psychologist (mental health doctors), however these are completely different specialties.
At Physical Medicine of the Rockies, our physiatrists focus on musculoskeletal medicine with a particular emphasis on spine conditions (neck pain and back pain). Musculoskeletal medicine is essentially non-surgical orthopedic medicine. We carefully diagnose your condition and then employ the latest techniques to relieve your pain and restore optimal function without surgery.
Interventional Pain Management
Physical Medicine of the Rockies specializes in all the aspects of orthopedic care that do not involve surgery and has advanced training and many years of experience employing interventional pain management techniques:
- Spine injections
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet injections
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Rhizotomies
- Joint and tendon injections
- Diagnosis and Treatment
What sets our providers apart is the time that they take to make an accurate diagnosis and design a comprehensive treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your symptoms and pain. We specialize in the latest advances in medicine that can aid your recovery without surgery:
We use x-ray and ultrasound guidance for most of our procedures and rarely perform injections without imaging to guide the procedure. This ensures the best possible outcome for any procedure.
- Diagnostic ultrasound
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Pain management
- Regenerative medicine including platelet rich plasma (PRP) and ultrasound-guided joint injections
- Sports Medicine
- Indications
Many common injuries and conditions can be treated with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation techniques:
- Automobile accident injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Sports injuries
- Personal injuries
- Work-related injuries
- Arthritis, Tendinitis, Bursitis
- Compression Fracture of the Spine
- Concussion
- Degenerative Disc disease
- Delayed Recover
- Frozen Shoulder
- Herniated Discs
- Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement)
- Neuropathy
- Occipital Neuralgia
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff injuries
- Sciatica and Pinched Nerves
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondyloletesis
- Sprains
- Traumatic Brain injury
- Ulnar Neuropathy
- Whiplash
- Acute, Myofascial, or Chronic Pain
- Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain
- Joint Pain
- Facet Joint Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Neuromuscular Pain
Contact Physical Medicine of the Rockies to learn more about your best treatment options to start living pain free today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EMG?
EMG stands for electromyography. This is a test that is combined with nerve conduction velocity (NCV) to evaluate the health of your nerves, looking for any evidence of nerve damage. EMG can help determine not only if there is damage, but often where that damage is coming from and how severe it is. EMG can also be used over time to follow recovery from nerve damage to assess progress and provide information about prognosis.
How can psychotherapy help me recover from an injury, surgery or condition?
Our team firmly believes that the recovery process is not only physical, but mental and behavioral. An experienced, compassionate psychotherapist can help you overcome these mental obstacles. Psychotherapy is hard work, but it offers you long-lasting results that will leave you feeling confident in your recovery.
How will your team work with my other medical providers?
At PMR, we pride ourselves on a collaborative, comprehensive approach to patient care. Your surgeon, physiatrist, physical therapist, and any other medical professionals involved in your care will communicate closely with each other and your primary care physician to ensure that everyone who takes part in your treatment is on the same page -- including you.
How can I get started on my therapy at Physical Medicine of the Rockies?
If you’re ready to make your first appointment with us, we’ve made it as easy as possible. Just click the button below and schedule your consultation right here on our website!
Who performs an EMG test?
Many practices have a non-physician technician perform key elements of this test. At Ascent Pain & Injury Specialists we believe in providing only the highest quality patient care. That is why our physicians perform the entire study, without the use of a technician.
What is it like getting an EMG done?
There are two parts to the test. The first part is the NCV. Dr. Shoemaker will apply sensors to the skin of your hands or feet and make some measurements. A device called a probe will be used to deliver a small shock, about the strength of a static shock, lasting about 1/1000th of a second. This will be done in multiple places along your arm or your leg to test the health of the nerves.
The second part of the test is the actual EMG and uses a small wire, similar to a very small needle which is about the size of an acupuncture needle. Your physician will insert the wire only very superficial, just inside the muscle. The needle or wire works like a microphone to listen and see how the nerves are firing. The wire is moved around several times in each muscle to listen to various areas. There is no shock or electricity for this part of the test, just listening to your body’s own natural electricity.
The study takes between 45 and 90 minutes depending on the amount of testing that needs to be done. If significant testing is required, the study can be divided into two sessions done on separate visits.
Most people tolerate the test without any issues and there is no need for sedation or anesthesia.