The Physicians (M.D. and D.O.) at Buffalo Spine and Sports Institute (BSSI) are specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and are called physiatrists (pronounced: fizz eye a'trists) We offer an aggressive, non-surgical approach to pain and injury are trained in diagnosing and treating problems of the musculoskeletal system. We will take a thorough history and perform a physical examination to find the source of your pain, injury or disability, even when standard diagnostic tests do not reveal specific problems.
In addition, as PM&R physicians we will direct the team of health care professionals that treat you. If any other services are needed, such as those of a physical therapist or athletic trainer, we will supervise, collaborate with and coordinate them. The result is a specially designed treatment program tailored for your needs.
Treatment Philosophy
We believe in treating the whole patient, not just the patient's symptoms. We share our medical knowledge to help you understand your condition and provide the tools and resources to manage it. We use a variety of treatment methods to reduce or eliminate problems and to decrease the possibility of recurrence. This integrated, focused care and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment produces not only cost-effective results, but also a high degree of patient satisfaction.
Diagnosis and Treatment Expertise
Low Back Pain Myofascial Pain
Musculoskeletal Disorders Neck Pain
Arthritis Osteoporosis
Acute and Chronic Pain Specific Women's Health issues
Sports Injuries Pelvic Pain during Pregnancy
Work Injuries Incontinence
Motor Vehicle Injuries
How we treat:
Electro diagnostic testing
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
Diagnostic and therapeutic injections
- Spinal (epidural, sacroiliac joint, facet joint) under fluoroscopy to assure safety and accuracy
- Peripheral joint
- Trigger point injections
- Botox for soft tissue pain, spastic disorders and migraine headaches
Education and Training
To become a PM&R physician, individuals must successfully complete four years of medical school and four additional years of residency training. Residency training includes one year spent developing fundamental clinical skills and three additional years of training in the full scope of the specialty. The physicians at BSSI also spent over 1 year beyond the regular residency in the Spine and Sports specialty, including training in injections.
There are 80 accredited residency programs in physical medicine and rehabilitation in the United States. Many PM&R physicians choose to pursue additional advanced degrees (M.S., Ph.D.) or complete fellowship training in a specific area of the specialty. Fellowships are available for specialized study in such areas as musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pediatrics, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and sports medicine.
To become board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, a PM&R physician must pass both a written and oral examination given by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPM&R).
