When we think about the good old days, we often reminisce about the physical endurance, prowess and pain-free mobility of our youth. If you’re living with pain, especially due to issues or conditions of the spine, and want to make a change, visit Olympia Orthopaedic Associates today. Their new hire, Dr. Peter Park, focuses on helping patients return to optimal function thanks to his background in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry.
Reconnecting to a Pain-Free Life with OlyOrtho’s Dr. Peter Park
The Association of Academic Physiatrists explains that theirs is a relatively new branch in the field of medicine. They describe it as “the medical specialty that emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people disabled by disease, disorder or injury…[It] provides integrated, multidisciplinary care aimed at recovery of the whole person by addressing the individual’s physical, emotional, medical, vocational and social needs.”
Park’s focus is pain management primarily relating to degenerative conditions of the spine. He says that in residency, he worked with “Musculoskeletal problems – neck pain, back pain, hip pain and acute sports injuries – stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, limb amputation and peripheral neuropathy. It was a great primary specialty that allowed me to have a great foundation when it came time for subspecializing in pain medicine.”
During specialization, he shifted focus to diagnosis of neck and back pain, pain that radiates down the arm or neck, different types of neuropathies and syndromes like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). “My fellowship training equipped me with a wide array of skills and techniques,” says Park, “such as epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulators, just to name a few.”
Park Brings Global Experience to OlyOrtho’s World-Class Team
Park has lived in four different countries but did most of his medical education and training stateside in Missouri. “Ironically,” he recalls, “the only year away from Missouri was during my surgical intern year, completed in Seattle at the University of Washington, and it made us realize how much we like this area.”
When looking to settle down, Park quickly realized that OlyOrtho “Was a well-oiled machine of a practice with the right business model, right personnel and the right mission to serve and help the community.” He appreciates the group’s strong infrastructure and knows that the OlyOrtho team will help his patients seamlessly reach their goals.
One thing that drew Park to OlyOrtho was how their multispecialty team functions as a comprehensive whole. “All our team members have a unique skill set,” explains Park, “that are complementary to each other and bring additional value to help patients. I hope to be just that by offering a variety of treatment approaches and treatments for pain, especially with neuromodulation and other newer pain procedures.”
Park blends modern interventional pain treatment with proven standards to help patients make informed decisions. He also seeks to cultivate what he calls a symbiotic relationship with the rest of the OlyOrtho team. Just as the human body is an interconnected system, Park believes that patient care also requires well-rounded treatment.
Park is Putting Down Roots to Help Western Washington Families Do the Same
When not working, Park enjoys soccer, traveling and photography. But medicine and his 3-year-old daughter keep him hustling around the clock. He and his family love spending time outdoors and even trying new things. “I’m no green thumb,” Park admits, “but I did plant five trees recently in my backyard and enjoyed it more than I expected, so maybe that will be my future hobby if I can’t play soccer four times a week!”
If you’d like to return to travel, sports or hobbies sidelined by ongoing pain, give OlyOrtho a call at 360.570.3460. Park will begin taking patients on August 1, 2024, and they’re happy to schedule appointments for your consultation. If your pain changes or gets worse, consider a visit to the Orthopaedic Urgent Clinic, which is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at 3901 Capital Mall Drive SW. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.
Don’t spend all your time wistfully recalling the good old days. Let Park and the OlyOrtho team help you back on your feet so you can make a lifetime of exciting new memories starting now.
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