Name:
Drew Lewis, D.O.
Title:
Clinician/Assistant Professor
Clinic:
Osteopathic Manual Medicine Clinic
Undergraduate School:
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington
Medical School:
Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa
Internship:
Downey Regional Medical Center, Downey, California
Residency:
University of California at Davis, Davis, California
Additional Degrees/Training:
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Fellowship
Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa
What Attracted Me to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R):
Having thoroughly enjoyed learning about manual medicine, I found myself wanting to learn as much as possible about the neuromusculoskeletal system. Finding out that PM&R not only had this as a major focus, but that it also primarily focuses on the treatment of patients from a ‘how can we help this person function better standpoint,’ I knew I had found the right specialty for me.
Specialty:
My practice is primarily outpatient musculoskeletal PM&R, with most patients referred to my clinic for Osteopathic Manual Medicine treatment of pain or injury, in addition to a non-surgical, active rehabilitation approach to their conditions.
Conditions I Treat:
As a physiatrist, I am trained as a non-surgical rehabilitation physician for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The goal is to help improve a patient’s function. I primarily treat any and all musculoskeletal conditions including:
- Sports and spine conditions
- Low back and neck pain
- Shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist pain
- Hip, knee, foot and ankle pain
I also treat many clients with myofascial pain with painful trigger points (knots in the muscle).
Frequently helping a client resolve their presenting condition may involve investigating the factors in their daily lives which may have caused or be perpetuating their condition, working to modify these factors and educating.
How OMM Can Benefit Patients:
Osteopaths are trained to look for and treat somatic dysfunctions which may be causing or contributing to a patient’s presenting condition. OMM works particularly well with patients suffering with painful conditions which limit their functional abilities, from simple activities of daily living, to impaired mobility or exercise tolerance. Treating the body with hands-on OMM provides a conservative approach to restore maximal range of motion, respiratory-circulatory function and immune function.
We are not “fixing” the patient. Rather, we are attempting to remove somatic restrictions and therefore allow for the body’s inherent ability to achieve maximum health.
How I Spend My Free Time:
Most of my free time is spent with my wife and four daughters. I try to keep some time for exercise on a regular basis. Otherwise, we enjoy spending time with family and friends as much as possible.
Fun Fact:
I am a huge fan of music — most types, but particularly classic rock.
Health Advice to Live By:
Life is too short not to feel good. It may take some effort to feel better, but don’t let painful conditions cause undue suffering.
