Non-Invasive, Conservative Approach to Healing
As physiatrists, Dr. Sampson and Dr. Aufiero are trained to treat the patient as a whole, not just the symptoms using conservative, non-invasive approaches.
What's a Physiatrist?
Physiatrists treat a wide range of problems from arthritis and sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. Their goal is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery. They see patients in all age groups and treat problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body. Physiatrists focus on restoring function to people.
Additionally, physiatrists are known for:
- Expertly diagnosing and treating pain
- Restoring maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions
- Treating the whole person, not just the problem area
- Leading a team of medical professionals
- Providing non-surgical treatments
- Explaining your medical problems and treatment plan
- Working not only on treatment but also prevention
Physiatrists coordinate a team that may include other physicians and health professionals, such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and yoga therapists. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, physiatrists help patients stay as active as possible at any age. Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat various conditions throughout a person's lifetime.
The doctors at Orthohealing Center put a great deal of effort in reaching out to the best health care professionals in the community to maximize a team approach to healing.
What's an Osteopath?
An osteopath is a physician who is trained in the field of "osteopathic medicine." A "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine" has "DO" after his or her name. Like an "MD", an osteopath is a fully trained and licensed physician. DOs and MDs are considered equal, legally, and in terms of their authority to diagnose and treat various health conditions, prescribe medications, and perform surgery.
The difference between an MD and a DO is in the approach of the medical education. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the whole person, and the connection between the musculoskeletal system and disease and symptoms. Osteopaths cover the same curriculum as MDs at osteopathic medical schools, plus, they receive an additional 300 to 500 hours of specialized osteopathic training, studying the musculoskeletal system.
In addition to Dr. Sampson's osteopathic training, he completed an MD residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.