Education
Non-Invasive Treatment Options for Back Pain, Presented by Matthew Smuck, MD
Back pain is one of the primary reasons people go to the doctor in the United States, second only to the common cold. What can you do about back pain?
Manage Your Care From Anywhere.
Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.
The Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) offers a wide spectrum of services dedicated to managing various disabilities and assisting patients to reach their maximal functional outcome.
As a part of Stanford Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, our team helps you to build up your strength, flexibility, and range of motion to restore your body's function and quality of life after an injury or surgery.
The patient's family plays a vital part in the rehabilitation process. One of the most important factors in the patient's recovery is family involvement and support.
Family members are affected by the patient's disability, and, many times, become co-managers of the patient's care. They may experience many changes as a result of the patient's disability. Family members often join the patient in a period of grief caused by a loss of function. Severe injury, chronic disease, or disability may mean a change in family roles.
For example, a housewife may need to return to work and become the breadwinner after her husband's disability; a son may need to adjust his work schedule to help care for an elderly parent. These changes can cause stress and conflict within the family. Financial problems due to medical bills or unemployment can occur, adding more stress on the family. Changes in living arrangements, childcare issues, and community re-entry can all pose new problems for the patient and family.
By working together with the rehabilitation team, the patient and family can help reduce some of the adverse effects of disability. This can be accomplished by:
Family acceptance and support can help a patient deal with issues related to self-esteem and self-image following disability. Positive attitudes and reinforcement from loved ones often help the individual work towards recovery. Family participation, flexibility, and open communication can overcome many barriers associated with disability. Families who inspire hope can help the individual to adjust and become more confident in his/her own abilities.
Back pain is one of the primary reasons people go to the doctor in the United States, second only to the common cold. What can you do about back pain?
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
Bring your completed New Patient Questionnaire to your appointment.
For new patient appointments, call 650-498-7555.
For returning appointments or medical questions, call 650-723-5643.
To request an appointment with Dr. Ming Kao, call 650-723-6238
To request an appointment with Dr. Kara Flavin, call 650-723-6469
International Patients
Phone: +1 650-723-8561
Email: IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
Fax a referral form with supporting documentation to 650-320-9443.
To schedule an appointment in Redwood City, please call:
New patients:
650-498-7555
Returning patients or medical questions:
650-723-5643
Dr. Ming Kao (appointments):
650-723-6238
Dr. Kara Flavin (appointments):
650-723-6469
To schedule an appointment in Pleasanton, please call:
New and returning patients:
925-272-2860