Dr. Michael Thomas, DO is a Pain Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Altamonte Springs, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring adherence to the highest standards of care. Dr. Thomas understands the unique needs of seniors, recognizing that pain management often requires a tailored approach. He is committed to partnering with primary care physicians and other members of the care team to develop personalized strategies that address chronic pain conditions commonly experienced by individuals 65 years and older. His expertise in pain management extends to comprehensive medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies, all aimed at improving function and enhancing quality of life.
Pain Medicine Physicians provide specialized expertise in managing complex chronic pain conditions common in older adults, partnering with primary care physicians and the broader care team to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life through comprehensive medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies. Dr. Thomas brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families, having dedicated over 30 years to this field. He earned his medical degree from Oklahoma State University Center For Health Sciences College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991, followed by extensive training and specialization. His experience includes residencies at Albert Einstein College Of Medicine and several other prestigious institutions, culminating in fellowship training at the University Of Miami and a spine fellowship. He is Board Certified in Neurosurgery by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, further underscoring his commitment to excellence in senior care. Dr. Thomas is currently welcoming new patients and they are encouraged to call (321) 972-2932 to schedule an appointment. His consultations are primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Michael Thomas is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Thomas is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering compassionate and comprehensive pain medicine care. He specializes in managing the complex chronic pain conditions often affecting older adults, working closely with primary care physicians and other healthcare providers to create a personalized treatment plan. This includes meticulous medication management, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced therapies, all with the goal of reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing the overall quality of life for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Michael Thomas can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- LocalPlus
- Open Access Plus
- Seamless HMO
- Superior Health Plan
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Michael Thomas provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Osteoarthritis of Spine: Spinal osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis affecting the joints in your spine, leading to pain and reduced movement, but thankfully, treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve your daily life.
- Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Experiencing pain radiating down your leg from your lower back? Lumbosacral radiculopathy, a pinched nerve, might be the cause, and with the right treatment plan, you can regain comfort and mobility.
- Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication: Spinal stenosis, with its associated neurogenic claudication, involves nerve compression in your spine that causes leg pain worsened by walking; working with a pain medicine physician, you can find effective pain relief and maintain your independence.
- Diabetic Polyneuropathy: If you have diabetes, diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause painful sensations in your extremities. Fortunately, effective treatments, including medications and therapies, are available to ease discomfort and help you maintain your independence.
- Thoracic Compression Fracture: The painful condition called a thoracic compression fracture happens when a vertebra in your upper back cracks or collapses, often due to osteoporosis or trauma; thankfully, modern pain medicine offers various approaches including targeted injections and specialized therapies to relieve your pain and help restore your mobility.
- Migraine: Migraines are debilitating headaches that can significantly impact daily life, but a doctor specializing in pain management can work with you to develop a treatment strategy perhaps including medications or even injections to lessen the pain and regain your ability to enjoy your daily activities.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Neck pain radiating into the shoulder or arm could indicate cervical radiculopathy; working closely with your pain management physician, you can explore treatment options like medication or injections to alleviate symptoms and regain your quality of life.
- Spondylolisthesis: Dealing with chronic back pain from spondylolisthesis? Many effective treatments are available, from medication and exercise to specialized injections or procedures, to help you regain your comfort and mobility.
- Back Pain: Many older adults experience back pain, but with expert care that includes medication, injections, or other advanced therapies, you can find relief and maintain an active life.
- Sciatica: Don't let sciatica control your life. Pain medicine specialists offer various ways to alleviate this leg pain originating in your lower back, improving your mobility, and helping you stay active and engaged in your hobbies.
- Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in your spine that can put pressure on your nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in your back, legs, or arms, but with the right treatment plan, you can manage your pain and maintain your independence.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As we age, the cushioning discs in our spines can deteriorate, leading to degenerative disc disease and pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat this, including pain medication and minimally invasive procedures to improve your comfort and mobility.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Michael Thomas offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Epidural Lysis of Adhesions (LOA): Epidural lysis of adhesions (LOA) is a procedure that helps relieve chronic back pain in seniors by breaking up scar tissue around the spinal cord, improving mobility and comfort.
- Facet Blocks: Facet blocks are a minimally invasive procedure that can significantly reduce pain in the lower back, allowing for increased mobility and better quality of life.
- Interlaminar Spacer: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, an interlaminar spacer may be considered to help reduce spinal stenosis-related pain and improve mobility in seniors.
- Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty: This minimally invasive treatment option helps seniors with chronic back pain stemming from disc problems by modifying the disc's internal structure, thereby improving function.
- Nerve Ablation: Nerve ablation is a procedure that can help reduce chronic pain by precisely targeting and deactivating specific nerves.
- Nerve Destruction by Neurolytic Agent: To address chronic nerve pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, this procedure uses a neurolytic agent to disrupt problematic nerve pathways, supporting a comprehensive pain management strategy.
- Neuroplasty: Neuroplasty is a specialized treatment that can help diagnose the source of your nerve pain by directly assessing the nerve's health and function.
- Peripheral Nerve Block: Peripheral nerve blocks are used to diagnose the exact location of nerve pain and provide temporary pain relief while determining the best long-term treatment strategy.
- Somatic Nerve Block: A somatic nerve block is a valuable tool in your journey towards improved pain control; it helps your physician assess the source of pain and plan the most effective treatment moving forward.
- Spinal Nerve Block: Spinal nerve blocks are minimally invasive procedures that can help determine the best long-term pain management strategy for you.
- Stem Cell Therapy: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, stem cell therapy may help address the underlying causes of chronic pain in older adults by promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Pain Medicine Physicians in Florida.
Dr. Michael Thomas is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With spinal osteoarthritis better managed, a senior couple rediscovered the joy of weekend hikes, enjoying nature's beauty without the debilitating pain.
- With a tailored treatment plan, a senior was able to resume walking her beloved dog without the debilitating leg pain from lumbosacral radiculopathy, significantly improving her overall well-being.
- With effective pain relief strategies, a senior was able to resume daily walks in the park, a cherished activity that had become increasingly difficult due to leg pain. The family felt a profound sense of relief and gratitude for the improved quality of life.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (Neurosurgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pain Medicine care with Dr. Michael Thomas:
- What is a Pain Medicine specialist?
- A pain medicine specialist, like Dr. Thomas, is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Their goal is to find the source of your pain and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that improves your function, mobility, and overall quality of life, not just to prescribe medication.
- Is the only treatment option more pain medication?
- No. Our multimodal approach uses a variety of treatments, including minimally-invasive procedures like targeted injections and physical therapy, to address the source of pain and reduce reliance on oral medications. Dr. Thomas focuses on helping patients feel better and live more actively.
- My osteoarthritis makes my knees (or back) so stiff and sore. What can a pain specialist do?
- Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of chronic pain, and while we can't reverse the arthritis, we can significantly reduce your pain. Treatments like joint injections with cortisone or viscosupplements, or procedures like radiofrequency ablation for back pain, can help improve mobility and comfort.
- What is a facet joint injection?
- A facet joint injection is a precise injection of numbing medicine and a steroid directly into a small, stabilizing joint in your spine (like a knuckle). If these joints become arthritic, they can cause neck or back pain. The injection helps confirm if the joint is the source of pain and provides temporary relief.
- What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a small, implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, like a pacemaker for pain. These signals interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, often replacing pain with a pleasant sensation or nothing at all. A temporary trial is available to test the therapy before a permanent implant.
- I have terrible nerve pain from my diabetes (neuropathy). Can you help?
- Yes, neuropathic pain requires a different approach than other types of pain. Dr. Thomas has expertise in managing this, using specific medications, sympathetic nerve blocks, or even advanced treatments like spinal cord stimulation to calm overactive nerves and provide relief.
- What is an epidural steroid injection and is it safe?
- An epidural steroid injection is a common and effective procedure where a strong anti-inflammatory medicine is delivered directly to the source of pain in the spine. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation around nerves, often providing significant pain relief. When performed by a specialist like Dr. Michael Thomas using x-ray guidance, it is a very safe procedure.
- My back pain has been here for years. Can anything really be done?
- We understand the frustration of long-term back pain. While a complete cure isn't always possible, significant pain reduction and improved function are often achievable. Dr. Thomas uses advanced diagnostic methods to precisely identify the source of your pain and then creates a personalized treatment plan, which may include injections, ablation, or other targeted therapies.
628 Maitland Ave
Altamonte Springs FL 32701
Phone: (321) 972-2932
Dr. Michael Thomas, DO is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1588673461
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Pain Medicine Physicians like Dr. Michael Thomas are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.