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Your Expert Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

At Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida (OSSWF), Allen C. Tafel, MD is a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), which is also known as Physiatry. As a physical medicine specialist, Dr. Tafel is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic pain and disability caused by injury, illness or conditions involving any organ system.

Dr. Tafel is focused on quality of life issues. His goal is to restore his patients to pain-free, maximum function that was lost due to injury, illness or disabling conditions. He treats the whole person, not merely the problem area, to restore patients to productive lives. Because they utilize physical therapy pain management, all treatments are nonsurgical, via a comprehensive, personalized program, and are geared to enhance a patient’s abilities and performance while preventing further disability. His services are also applied to sport injuries, through development of programs to help athletes to avoid injury.

If you’re ready to receive rehabilitative care from the top Fort Myers orthopedic doctors available, Dr. Tafel at Orthopedic Specialists of SWFL is here to help. Schedule your first consultation with Dr. Tafel and get started on your road to recovery today.

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Expert PM & R Specialist in Fort Myers, Florida

Experienced Physical Medicine for Your Recovery

Collaborating with a team of medical professionals, including neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists, to coordinate care, a physical medicine doctor like Dr. Tafel will look at the “big picture,” treating the whole person, to improve function, mobility, and the activities of daily living.

Conditions treated include:

  • Amputations/Prosthetics
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Back Pain
  • Brain Injuries
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Pain
  • Radiculopathy
  • Ulnar Neuropathy (Wrist Pain in Bicyclists)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Post-Polio Syndrome
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Sports-Related Injuries
  • Stroke
  • Work-Related Injuries

The goal of rehabilitation is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery and to help the patient return to and maintain a high level of function. Pain medications are used not as a treatment, but to help bring severe pain under control in order for the patient to participate in rehabilitation.

Our Physicians

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect during my evaluation?

Dr. Tafel will conduct a comprehensive Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation evaluation, including a complete history and physical examination. This consultation will allow us to assess your condition, needs, and expectations. We will also use diagnostic tools to identify the source of your discomfort.

How will Dr. Tafel determine my rehabilitative needs?

Diagnostic technologies that may be employed depend on the type of disability or injury, and may include:

  • Electromyography (EMG)
  • Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
  • Discography, Disc Decompression, and Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
  • Nerve Stimulators, Blocks and Ablation procedures—Peripheral and Spinal
  • Injections of joints
  • Prolotherapy
  • Spasticity Treatment (Phenol and Botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal baclofen pump trial and implants)
  • Nerve and Muscle Biopsy
  • Manual Medicine/Osteopathic Treatment
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Complementary-alternative medicine (i.e. acupuncture, etc.)
  • Disability/impairment assessment

Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. Tafel will develop a comprehensive, patient-centered program to restore the patient’s quality of life after injury or disease. The plan developed can be carried out by the patient or with the assistance of a medical team.

Does your physical medicine doctor near me accept insurance? 

Yes! At OSSWF, we want premium orthopedic care to be available to as many patients as possible. That’s why we’re proud to accept insurance from a variety of providers across the Southwest Florida region. Visit our Insurance page to learn more about our providers, and feel free to reach out to our friendly and compassionate staff with any questions.

How can I get started with the best PM & R doctor near me?

OSSWF makes it easy to get started on your road to a complete recovery. Just use our online scheduling tool to request your first consultation with us. We can’t wait to get started.