What is a Physiatrist? Q&A by Charles W. Graubert, M.D.

Q: What is a Physiatrist?

A: A Physiatrist, also known as a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician, specializes in the evaluation and non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries and diseases.

Q: What are some of the common conditions treated by a Physiatrist?

A: Neck and back pain, shoulder and knee pain, muscular strains, arthritis, disc herniations, sciatica, spinal stenosis, strokes, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.

Q: How can a Physiatrist help pain?

A: A Physiatrist can assess body mass index, prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, perform trigger point injections, shoulder injections, and knee injections.

Q: What are the two most common causes of pain?

A: Injury and disease leads to inflammation that causes pain. New theories are emerging that Adipose tissue (fat) is an endocrine organ that synthesizes pro-inflammatory factors, also causing pain.

Q: What is Obesity?

A: BMI is a simple index of weight–for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity. Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization as a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 30. A BMI greater than or equal to 25 is considered overweight. Obesity accounts for over 18% of deaths among Americans between the ages of 40-85 (American Journal of Public Health, 2015).

Q: How are Obesity and Pain related?

A: Patients losing 11% of their body weight can experience up to 50% reduction in their pain. In Osteoarthritis of the knees, there is a 4% reduction in knee joint stress for every pound of weight lost. Weight reduction of 5% can result in significant improvements in disability. Losing weight (fat) DECREASES the biochemical forces on the joints and DECREASES the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the body. This combined effect DECREASES PAIN!

Q: What should I do next?

A: In addition to getting routine check ups for your heart health such as knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, it is very important to know your BMI and understand the effect it can have on your musculoskeletal system. Keeping your BMI below 25 can prevent painful musculoskeletal conditions by decreasing the excessive load on joints as well as decreasing the pro-inflammatory chemicals that fat cells produce. Making the initial step towards a healthier lifestyle of weight loss and exercise may lead to less pain and inflammation.

Dr. Charles W. Graubert at The Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County 

Dr. Graubert has been in private practice at OCPBC since 1994. As a physiatrist, he specializes in the rehabilitation of patients with diseases affected the musculoskeletal and neurological systems.

Dr. Graubert specializes in the evaluation and non-operative treatment of:

• Neck & Back Pain
• Muscular Strains
• Disc Herniations
• Spinal Stenosis
• Arthritic Shoulders & Knees
• Strokes
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries

Procedures include: 

• Trigger Point Injections
• Shoulder & Knee Injections
• Acupuncture
• Electrodiagnostic Studies

OCPBC is proud to announce that Dr. Charles Graubert has been recognized as one of the top Lake Worth Rehabilitation Physicians. He has also been recognized by Castle Connolly, America’s Top Doctor Award. To learn more about Dr. Graubert and the services and procedures OCPBC has to offer, call us today or visit one of our three offices located throughout Palm Beach County:

JFK Office: 

180 JFK Drive

Atlantis, FL 33462

(561) 967-6500 

Boynton Beach Office 

6056 Boynton Beach Blvd., Suite 245

Boynton Beach, FL 33437

(561) 967-6500 

Wellington Office

1035 S. State Road 7, Suite 119

Wellington, FL 33414

(561) 967-6500