How Physiatrists Treat Chronic Pain While Minimizing Medication Dependence With Roger Kasendorf, DO Published on: 01/05/2026
Physiatrists treat chronic pain by focusing on function, movement, and long-term recovery, and Roger Kasendorf, DO, often highlights this approach when helping patients reduce reliance on medication. Chronic pain can affect how people move, sleep, and live each day, yet medication alone rarely solves the whole problem. Because of this, physiatrists look beyond prescriptions and work to understand how the body moves as a whole. Their goal is to help patients feel better while building strength and confidence over time. Physiatrists treat chronic pain by identifying the physical causes that keep discomfort going. Pain may come from muscle weakness, joint stress, nerve irritation, or poor movement habits.