He first asses the pain, injury, etc. He might suggest different tests to see exactly what's going on. And he will suggest the best course of treatment. That can mean prescribing meds along with therapy, or it can mean same day minor procedures or even surgery. Regardless, if your pain is serious, you'll want to give him a chance. He's an amazing doctor.
He starts by reviewing test results and/or data followed by his physical examination of your problem regions and beyond. If he feels they're needed, he'll prescribe more or different tests. He is NOT doing these to run up your bill, but to identify the cause(s) of your pain as accurately as possible so he can determine the best course(s) of treatment. That can include oral meds, meds administered at different rates during the day by an implanted pump that pumps the meds directly into the intrathecal space just outside the spinal cord, neurostimulation similar to the Quell device you may have seen on TV but much more programmable and with the electrodes implanted in the intrathecal space, I assume to not move, physical therapy, and I'm sure I'm missing some! I can tell you he is willing to try virtually any approved therapy to treat YOUR pain. You are a person to Dr. Koppel, not just a file number, and he treats you accordingly. For best results, be totally honest with him.
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