What is a Physiatrist?

Physiatrists are experts at diagnosing and treating problems affecting the nerves, muscles, and bones. As “physicians of function,” rehabilitation physicians place an emphasis not only on relieving pain but also on restoring maximum function. Physiatrists do this by treating the whole person and not just the problem area. Rehabilitation physicians are also non-surgical specialists, an approach which makes sense because over 90% of orthopedic injuries do not require surgery! Finally preventing recurrent or chronic pain is a major goal for physiatrists who don’t just treat the symptom but treat the “why” behind each patient’s unique presentation. Brad Sorosky MD, Susan Sorosky MD, Tima Le DO, Arthur Hatch DO, and Puneet Ralhan of Desert Spine and Sports Physicians are board-certified physiatrists (fiz-ee-a-trists) or rehabilitation physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).

How Do You Become a Physiatrist?

PM&R is one of the 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Physiatrists must complete a four year residency program in PM&R after medical school. Our physicians then went on to complete fellowships in Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine.

How do Physiatrists Diagnose and Treat?

Physiatrists take the necessary time to accurately pinpoint the source of a problem. Their specific diagnostic tools include a detailed medical history and a complete musculoskeletal and neurological examination. Rehabilitation physicians are also trained in the interpretation of imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Finally, some physiatrists perform electrodiagnostic testing (nerve conduction studies and EMG) to help diagnose certain nerve and muscle disorders. Once a correct pain generator is identified, a specific treatment plan can then be developed. This comprehensive program may include individually tailored physical therapy programs, pain procedures such as facet blocks, joint injections and epidurals which the doctors perform under fluoroscopic guidance in their in office procedure suites, and appropriate medication management.

Explore Our Gallery: Provider Bios, Conditions, Testimonials

Provider Bios

Patient-Centric Care with Dr. Brad Sorosky at Desert Spine and Sports
Wellness Redefined: Dr. Susan Sorosky's Practice in Musculoskeletal Medicine
Navigating Pain Management with Expert Guidance with Dr. Tima Le
Prioritizing Non-Invasive Interventions at Desert Spine and Sports with Dr. Arthur Hatch
Transforming Patient Health at Desert Spine and Sports with Dr. Puneet Ralhan
Dr. Brent Page's Holistic Care Approach at Desert Spine and Sports
Dr. Andrew Minkley's Impactful Approach to Patient Well-Being at Desert Spine and Sports
Delivering Excellence in Spine and Sports Medicine with Dr. Thai Vu
Meet Dr. Brad Sorosky
Meet Dr. Susan Sorosky
Meet Dr. Tima Le
Meet Dr. Arthur Hatch
Meet Dr. Puneet Ralhan
Meet Dr. Brent Page

Conditions & Treatments

Tingling Hands & Wrist Pain? Don't Ignore It. Exploring Treatment Options
Balancing Innovation and Safety in Spine Care
Ablation Therapy Explained: How It Treats Arthritis Pain
Foot & Ankle Pain Explained: Causes & Treatment Options
Don't Let Sports Injuries Stop You - Get Back in the Game
Stop Compression Fracture Pain: Treatment Options Explained
How We Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Stop Musculoskeletal Pain! We Explore Treatment & Prevention
Whiplash & Neck Arthritis Relief: Minimally Invasive Solutions Explained
New Hope for Osteoporosis Fractures: Learn About Kyphoplasty from Dr. Brad Sorosky
Your Care, Your Way: Personalized Treatment Plans at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians
Regenerative Medicine for Chronic Pain: Understanding PRP at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians
Desert Spine and Sports Physicians: Committed to Affordable, High-Quality Spine Care
Understanding Nerve Health: Electrodiagnostic Testing Explained
X-Ray vs. Ultrasound: Unveiling the Best Imaging Technique for Your Spine
Neck, Mid-Back, or Low Back Pain? Medial Branch Blocks Can Help
Spinal Stenosis: Understanding the Cause of Your Back and Leg Pain
Epidural Steroid Injections: Understanding Pain Relief for Back and Leg Pain
Understanding Facet Joint Pain: Relief Through Facet Injections
Hip Pain Relief: Treating the Root Cause at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians
Understanding Knee Pain Relief: Exploring Injection Options at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians
Visco-supplementation Injections for Knee Pain Relief
Dr. Susan Sorosky: Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship
Beyond Pain Relief: What is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)?
Targeted Relief: Building a Personalized Physical Therapy Plan
What Is Sciatica, Really? Dr. Susan Sorosky Explains
Back Pain in a Young Athlete? It Might Be Spondylolysis (Pars Fracture)
Don't Suffer in Silence! Pregnancy Back Pain Relief Options
Understanding Back Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Why Surgery Isn't Always Needed
What Is a Herniated Disc? Dr. Thai Vu Explains
Osteoarthritis Explained: The Wear-and-Tear Arthritis Affecting Your Joints
Shoulder Pain? Understanding Rotator Cuff Injuries & Treatment Options
Tendonitis vs. Bursitis: Understanding Tendon Pain & Treatment Options
Elbow Pain Relief: Steroid vs. Regenerative Injections
Heal Your Body Naturally: Prolotherapy for Pain Relief Explained
Find Nonsurgical Relief for Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
Pinpointing Your Pain: Selective Nerve Root Blocks Explained

Patient Testimonials

Tennis Elbow Relief with PRP Injections: Joe's Story
From Back Pain to Back to an Active Life: How PRP Injections Changed Helena's Life
Jennifer's Story of Knee Pain Relief with PRP Injections at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians
PRP Patient:

Craig G's PRP Injection Journey
PRP Patient:

Carol's Journey with PRP Therapy

Provider Bios

Patient-Centric Care with Dr. Brad Sorosky at Desert Spine and Sports

Wellness Redefined: Dr. Susan Sorosky's Practice in Musculoskeletal Medicine

Navigating Pain Management with Expert Guidance with Dr. Tima Le

Prioritizing Non-Invasive Interventions at Desert Spine and Sports with Dr. Arthur Hatch

Transforming Patient Health at Desert Spine and Sports with Dr. Puneet Ralhan

Dr. Brent Page's Holistic Care Approach at Desert Spine and Sports

Dr. Andrew Minkley's Impactful Approach to Patient Well-Being at Desert Spine and Sports

Delivering Excellence in Spine and Sports Medicine with Dr. Thai Vu

Meet Dr. Brad Sorosky

Meet Dr. Susan Sorosky

Meet Dr. Tima Le

Meet Dr. Arthur Hatch

Meet Dr. Puneet Ralhan

Meet Dr. Brent Page

Conditions & Treatments

Tingling Hands & Wrist Pain? Don't Ignore It. Exploring Treatment Options

Balancing Innovation and Safety in Spine Care

Ablation Therapy Explained: How It Treats Arthritis Pain

Foot & Ankle Pain Explained: Causes & Treatment Options

Don't Let Sports Injuries Stop You - Get Back in the Game

Stop Compression Fracture Pain: Treatment Options Explained

How We Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Stop Musculoskeletal Pain! We Explore Treatment & Prevention

Whiplash & Neck Arthritis Relief: Minimally Invasive Solutions Explained

New Hope for Osteoporosis Fractures: Learn About Kyphoplasty from Dr. Brad Sorosky

Your Care, Your Way: Personalized Treatment Plans at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

Regenerative Medicine for Chronic Pain: Understanding PRP at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

Desert Spine and Sports Physicians: Committed to Affordable, High-Quality Spine Care

Understanding Nerve Health: Electrodiagnostic Testing Explained

X-Ray vs. Ultrasound: Unveiling the Best Imaging Technique for Your Spine

Neck, Mid-Back, or Low Back Pain? Medial Branch Blocks Can Help

Spinal Stenosis: Understanding the Cause of Your Back and Leg Pain

Epidural Steroid Injections: Understanding Pain Relief for Back and Leg Pain

Understanding Facet Joint Pain: Relief Through Facet Injections

Hip Pain Relief: Treating the Root Cause at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

Understanding Knee Pain Relief: Exploring Injection Options at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

Visco-supplementation Injections for Knee Pain Relief

Dr. Susan Sorosky: Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship

Beyond Pain Relief: What is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)?

Targeted Relief: Building a Personalized Physical Therapy Plan

What Is Sciatica, Really? Dr. Susan Sorosky Explains

Back Pain in a Young Athlete? It Might Be Spondylolysis (Pars Fracture)

Don't Suffer in Silence! Pregnancy Back Pain Relief Options

Understanding Back Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Why Surgery Isn't Always Needed

What Is a Herniated Disc? Dr. Thai Vu Explains

Osteoarthritis Explained: The Wear-and-Tear Arthritis Affecting Your Joints

Shoulder Pain? Understanding Rotator Cuff Injuries & Treatment Options

Tendonitis vs. Bursitis: Understanding Tendon Pain & Treatment Options

Elbow Pain Relief: Steroid vs. Regenerative Injections

Heal Your Body Naturally: Prolotherapy for Pain Relief Explained

Find Nonsurgical Relief for Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

Pinpointing Your Pain: Selective Nerve Root Blocks Explained

Patient Testimonials

Tennis Elbow Relief with PRP Injections: Joe's Story

From Back Pain to Back to an Active Life: How PRP Injections Changed Helena's Life

Jennifer's Story of Knee Pain Relief with PRP Injections at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

PRP Patient:

Craig G's PRP Injection Journey

PRP Patient:

Carol's Journey with PRP Therapy

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