Spine & Sports Medicine
Doctor – PM&R
Expertise in Non-Surgical Spine Care
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
TeleMedicine / TeleHealth / In-Office / In-Person
Consults, Evaluations, Treatments, Non-Surgical Options
Second opinion
Therapeutic Approach
Introduction to Dr. Plastaras Video
For each patient, a complete and accurate diagnosis is made. Treatment is individualized – neck and back pain are not treated generically. Understanding the person is critical in regaining function. A holistic approach is emphasized. Kinetic chain biomechanical analyses and mind-body principles also are integrated into patient care with focus on return to function, work, and play. My goal is reactivate the patient to the fullest extent possible. We do this by using exercise, physical therapy, mind-body medicine, injection care, or minimally invasive interventional techniques. Spine problems rarely require surgery, so spine surgery consultations are made only when absolutely necessary. All rehabilitation and non-opioid medication treatment options are thoroughly explored.
Disc Herniation Treatment Options Video
Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options Video
Comprehensive Integrated Care
Dr. Plastaras coordinates sub-specialists from multiple disciplines including physiatry (PM&R), physical therapy, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, interventional radiology, anesthesia, internal medicine, rheumatology, psychology, neurology, and radiology to obtain a comprehensive assessment as appropriate to needs of the patient.
Collaborating with Physical Therapists Video/Podcast
Testing and Imaging
Electrodiagnostic testing and radiologic imaging are independently viewed and interpreted in the context of the presenting functional problem. We treat the person, not the x-ray or MRI results.
Injection & Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures
Interventional spine procedures through a needle include fluoroscopically guided spinal injections including zygapophysial (facet) joint injections, epidural injections, medial branch nerve injections, selective spinal nerve injections, sacroiliac joint injections, discograms, peripheral nerve injections, shoulder/knee/hip joint injections, radiofrequency ablation procedures and intradiscal procedures.
When is an epidural injection indicated? (video)
What can you expect if you are having an epidural injection?
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
What to expect if you are having a Radiofrequency Ablation?
Christopher Plastaras, MD
Dr. Christopher Plastaras specializes in non-surgical treatments of low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, lumbar spinal stenosis, and other musculoskeletal injuries including shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, and foot/ankle pain.
He is the Fellowship Program Director of the Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine and works closely with the Fellows to deliver patient care.
As part of Dr. Plastaras’ mission, he educates and empowers the next generation of physical medicine & rehabilitation doctors (physiatrists). This occurs with bedside teaching in the setting of comprehensive evaluation and management of the patients with hands-on teaching.
