At Spine & Physical Medicine, we specialize in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and impairments. Dr. Bates has been practicing medicine for over 25 years, and has been in Boise for over 14 years.

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation states that the role of the physiatrist is, “to treat any disability resulting from disease or injury, from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The focus is on the development of a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person’s life back together after injury or disease – without surgery.”

Dr. Bates practices that philosophy to optimize a person’s function so they may return to work or what they love in life.

Rehabilitation physicians take the time needed to accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment. They then design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of the rehabilitation physician’s medical team. This medical team might include other physicians and health professionals, such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, rehabilitation physicians help patients stay as active as possible at any age. Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.