What is a Physiatrist?
Why this matters when choosing a pain clinic
Pain clinics vary enormously. A physiatrist-led clinic is structurally biased toward restoring function — not just masking pain or defaulting to surgery referrals. Both of Mountain View Pain Center's lead physicians, Dr. Shaun Gabriel and Dr. Matthew Gray, are physiatrists: PM&R residencies followed by interventional pain fellowships, treating patients across our Colorado and Arizona clinics.
FAQs
Is a physiatrist a real doctor?
Yes — an MD or DO with residency training, board certification, and prescribing/procedural privileges.
Do I need a referral to see one?
Most of our patients don't; some insurance plans require it — call and we'll check.
Physiatrist or orthopedic surgeon first?
Unless something clearly needs surgery (major trauma, progressive weakness), starting non-surgical costs you nothing: most musculoskeletal pain resolves without an operation, and a physiatrist will tell you honestly when it won't.
CTA: Call 720-749-5599 (CO) / 602-325-2024 (AZ).
What Is a Physiatrist?
A physiatrist (fizz-EYE-uh-trist) is a medical doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). Where a surgeon asks "what can I remove or repair," a physiatrist asks "how do I restore this person's function without surgery." They complete medical school, a four-year PM&R residency, and often fellowship training in a subspecialty like interventional pain medicine.
Physiatrist vs. physical therapist
The names confuse everyone. A physiatrist is a physician — diagnoses conditions, orders imaging, performs procedures (injections, ablations), prescribes medication, and quarterbacks the treatment plan. A physical therapist delivers the hands-on rehabilitation program. They work together: the physiatrist diagnoses and opens the door (often with a procedure that reduces pain), the PT walks you through it. That partnership is the core of our care model.
What physiatrists treat
Back and neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, joint pain and arthritis, sports and work injuries, nerve pain, and post-injury loss of function. Physiatrists trained in interventional pain medicine also perform epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation.
