Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)

We help ease neck and back pain with nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments that restore natural movement so you can return to the activities you enjoy.

Physiotherapist doing healing treatment on man's back.Back pain patient, treatment, medical doctor, massage therapist.

man with both of his hands on his lower back stretching

Why Choose UCLA Health for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (physiatrists) relieve stubborn neck and back pain using gentler, nonsurgical and minimally invasive methods. When physical therapy and other standard treatments aren’t enough, we offer sophisticated procedures involving needles or small incisions. We deliver targeted treatments offering quicker, more comfortable recovery than surgery.

Highlights of our program include:

Convenient access: Our team of spine care physiatrists sees patients at multiple UCLA locations across Southern California. This broad coverage helps you get an appointment promptly and closer to home. We see patients at any stage of care, whether you need help getting started or want information about more advanced options.

Team approach for complex cases: Nonsurgical neck and back pain treatments may carry added risks if you have conditions such as heart or lung disease. At UCLA Health, you're in capable hands. Our physiatrists work closely with other specialists to ensure your procedure is as safe as possible.

Coordinated care: Most people with neck or back pain get better without surgery. But if you need surgery, our physiatrists work closely with UCLA Health spine surgeons to coordinate your care. This collaboration makes the process smoother, so you can focus on feeling better. Find out more about the surgical treatments we offer.

Innovation and leadership: Our physiatrists are exploring new minimally invasive methods for treating neck and back pain and improving outcomes. UCLA Health also leads a fellowship program training the next generation of interventional physiatrists. Our commitment to research and education means you receive care from specialists at the forefront of the field.

What is Physiatry?

Physiatry is a type of medical care for issues affecting muscles, bones and nerves using nonsurgical and minimally invasive techniques. Some physiatrists, like the ones at UCLA Health, have specialized training in spine care. We offer a broad range of services for difficult-to-treat neck and back pain.

Our physiatrists are often the first stop for people whose pain isn’t improving with standard therapies. We develop a personalized plan that may include sophisticated testing or targeted, minimally invasive treatments. If you ever need surgery, we work closely with UCLA Health surgeons to coordinate your care.

Conditions We Treat

Our physiatrists treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions affecting the back, neck and nearby tissues.

We frequently treat:

Arthritis: Inflammation in the joints, including spine joints, that causes pain and stiffness
Back or neck pain: Discomfort that can come from muscles, joints, discs or nerves in the spine
Bursitis: Inflammation and pain of a fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones, muscles and tendons around joints
Myofascial pain: Discomfort caused by tight knots or trigger points in the muscles
Neuropathy: Pain or discomfort from nerve damage or dysfunction
Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord that can affect movement, sensation or other body functions
Sports and work-related injuries: Pain in muscles, joints or nerves caused by repetitive motion, overuse or trauma

Interventional Physiatry Treatments We Offer

Physiatrists at UCLA Health offer a broad range of nonsurgical neck and back pain treatments and spine-focused nerve studies. We typically perform these procedures on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day. Our offerings include:

Electrodiagnostic testing: Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure how well nerves and muscles work to help identify the cause of pain, tingling or weakness.
Epidural steroid injections: A spine care physiatrist injects medication near irritated spinal nerves to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Real-time imaging helps guide the needle for accurate placement.
Intracept™ procedure (basivertebral nerve ablation): Our experts guide a thin probe into a bone (vertebra) of the lower spine and apply heat to specific nerves to interrupt pain signals. This option is for low back pain from degenerative disc disease and may help you avoid disc replacement surgery.
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD): Interventional physiatrists make a small incision in the lower back and remove extra tissue pressing on the nerves. MILD can relieve leg pain that makes it hard to stand up straight and walk for long periods.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): We use thin needles to deliver heat to the nerves in your back or neck. RFA disrupts pain signals and can offer longer-lasting relief when other treatments aren’t successful.
Spinal cord stimulator: We place a small device under your skin that sends gentle electrical signals to your spine through thin wires called electrodes. These signals block pain messages before they reach your brain.

Meet Our Team

Our physiatrists specialize in treating back and neck pain without surgery. They take the time to listen, explain your options and tailor treatments to your needs. We work closely with specialists across UCLA Health to ensure you receive coordinated, comprehensive care.

See our providers