What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)?
Physiatrists, or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, are specialty-trained non-operative experts in bone, muscles, joints, and nerves. Our aim is to find health, improve function, decrease pain and improve quality of life. The field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has grown in leaps and bounds since World War II when physiatrists took on the role of caring for injured soldiers returning home from war.
Physiatrists are physicians who have obtained a medical degree (MD or DO), then completed specialty training in a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program. During specialty training, physiatrists develop the tools and knowledge to diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases, illnesses and disorders that affect bones, muscles, joints, nerves, spinal cord and the brain. Some physiatrists obtain additional subspecialty training (fellowship training) in a particular area to gain additional expertise. All the physicians at Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine are board certified in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with advanced sub-specialty training in spine, musculoskeletal and occupational medicine.
Physiatrists use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, working in conjunction with other physicians and specialties, as well as physical and occupational therapists, advanced practice practitioners, allied health workers and of course, our patients. Together we develop individualized courses of action to treat your condition, improve function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
Using state-of-the-art diagnostic technology including MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, EMGs, and ultrasound, we diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, then determine and implement appropriate treatment plans.
At Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine, we use a foundation of tailored therapeutic exercise supplemented by the latest techniques in injection-based treatments and procedures to create an individualized treatment program to improve your function and decrease pain.
Helpful links
Our Physicians
At Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine, our physicians are medical doctors who are recognized leaders in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
Corine Cicchetti, M.D.
Dr. Corine Cicchetti joined Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine upon the completion of her Fellowship Program in 2008. Dr. Cicchetti has taken her passion for exercise and healthy eating and applied it in the care of her patients. She has also taken a special interest in regenerative medicine techniques. Her goal is always to provide excellent and compassionate care to each patient.
Education
State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences- MD
Wells College- BA
Clinical Training
Fellowship in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine
Buffalo NY-August 2008-January, 2009
Areas of Specialty
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spine, Occupational and Sports Medicine Procedures
Musculoskeletal ultrasound diagnostic imaging
Ultrasound guided musculoskeletal injections
Peripheral Joint and Bursal Injections, with or without ultrasound guidance
Spine: Fluoroscopic: Facet Joint/Epidural Injections: lumbar transforaminal/Selective Nerve Root Blocks
Fluoroscopic SI injections and hip injection
Botox injections under EMG and Ultrasound guidance
Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Functional Exercises for the Spine & Extremities
Regenerative Medicine- Stem Cells, PRP
Board Certifications
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Registered in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
Honors/Awards
Alpha Omega Alpha, 2004
Deans Letter of Commendation, 2002, 2003
Valedictorian, Wells College, 2000
Phi Beta Kappa, 2000
Scholar Athlete Award, Wells College, 2000
Evidence Based Medicine Quality Improvement Award, 2006-2007
Medical Society of the County of Erie Resident Physician Award, 2008
Top Doctor - Buffalo Spree Top Docs - 2020, 2021, 2022
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Association of Academic Physiatrists
Erie County Medical Society
Medical Society of the State of New York
Spine Intervention Society
Personal Interests
Plant-based nutrition and exercise
Michael Cicchetti, M.D.
Dr. Michael Cicchetti is an accomplished physician who originally trained at Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine. He returned to Buffalo after 1.5 years of practicing medicine in Virginia. He is a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Education
M.D., University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 2005
B.S., The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 2000
Clinical Training
Fellow, Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine 2009-2010
Resident, University of Virginia Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Charlottesville, Virginia 2006-2009
Internship, Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 2005-2006
Board Certification
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Registered in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
Recognitions
Top Doctor in New York State 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
Buffalo Spree Top Doctors 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Specialty Focus
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a clinical emphasis on non-surgical spine, sports, and musculoskeletal medicine.
Procedures
- Fluoroscopic injections (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and peripheral joint)
- epidurals, selective nerve root blocks, therapeutic facet and peripheral joint injections, diagnostic medical branch blocks, intradiscal therapeutics
- Radiofrequency neurotomies (RFA) for (cervical, lumbar, SI joint, knees)
- Spinal cord stimulator trials
- Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound
- Interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound (peripheral joint injections, nerve blocks)
- Percutaneous tenotomies
- Regenerative medicine (PRP, stem cells, prolotherapy)
- Electrodiagnostic testing
- Botulinum toxin injections
Hospital Affiliations and Positions Held
Partner, Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine PLLC 2013-cuurrent
Associate Physician, Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine PLLC 2011-2013
Dr. Cicchetti holds privileges with Kaleida Health, The Catholic Health System of Buffalo and ECMC
Membership in Professional Organizations
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Spine Intervention Society
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Frederick McAdam, M.D.
Dr. Frederick McAdam is the founding partner of Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine. He is a recognized expert in spine, sports, and occupational injuries. He is experienced in the advanced treatment of those conditions with procedures to control pain to promote better function through exercise.
Dr. McAdam enjoys family activities and is involved in the community as a supporter of WNY theater and arts. He is an avid exerciser and thus “practices what he preaches.” He is a graduate of Princeton University and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. He is bilingual in German and English.
Education
M.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, School of Medicine, 1983
A.B., Magna Cum Laude, Germanic Languages and Literature, Princeton University, 1978
Junior Year in Freiburg, Albert-Ludwigs Üniversität, Freiburg im Breisgau, Federal Republic of Germany, 1976-1977
Clinical Training
Chief Resident, Rehabilitation Medicine, July, 1987-June, 1988
Resident, Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo, July,1985-June,1988
Resident, Internal Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo, July,1984-June,1985
Resident, Family Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo, July,1983-June,1984
Specialty
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Spine, Occupational and Sports Medicine Procedures
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasound guided musculoskeletal injections
- Peripheral Joint and Bursal Injections, with or without ultrasound guidance
- Spine: Fluoroscopic: Facet Joint/Epidural Injections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal/Selective Nerve Root Blocks
- SI injections /shoulder & hip regional blocks with mobilizations and manipulations.
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks
- Radiofrequency Ablation: lumbar and cervical, sacroiliac joint, genicular (knee), peripheral nerves
- Spinal cord stimulation trials
- Electrodiagnostic Medicine
- Manual Medicine of the Spine and Extremities
- Functional Exercises for the Spine & Extremities
Board Certifications
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Registered in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
Faculty Appointments
Michigan State University - Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Clinical Assistant Professor - College of Osteopathic Medicine 1993 - 2005
- Continuing Medical Education, Faculty, 1993 - 1995
Daemen College - Graduate Dept. of Physical Therapy - Adjunct Faculty - Amherst, NY 1993 - 1995
SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Family Medicine
- Outpatient Musculoskeletal Medicine for residents, Faculty, 1991 - 1994
SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Outpatient Musculoskeletal Medicine elective for residents
-- Clinical Assistant Professor, 1989 - 2013
-- Clinical Instructor, 1988 - 1989
-- Co-coordinator 4th Year Medical Student Elective, 1988 - 1989
-- Co-coordinator Introduction to Clinical Medicine, 2nd Year Medical School Course, 1988 - 1989
-- Assistant Clinical Instructor, 1983 - 1988
SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, -Department of Neurosurgery
- Clinical Assistant Professor, 1989 - 1990
Raechel Percy, DO
Dr. Raechel Percy, DO is a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician joining Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine.
Dr. Raechel Percy completed her osteopathic medical training at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan, before completing her internship and residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky. Most recently, Dr. Percy was a staff physician at Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, Mississippi where she practiced general outpatient rehabilitation with an emphasis on musculoskeletal medicine, amputation rehabilitation, and spasticity management, as well as inpatient amputation and stroke rehabilitation.
Dr. Percy’s professional interests include musculoskeletal and sports medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound, adaptive recreation, and amputation/limb loss rehabilitation and prosthetic restoration. Visit www.docpercy.com for Dr. Percy’s website with additional information and helpful links.
What is a “DO”?
A “DO”, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a physician who has been trained to approach medicine from a “whole person” or holistic approach. Osteopaths complete 4 years of medical school, with extra training in the musculoskeletal system, the interconnected system of muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.
DOs practice medicine in every specialty, from surgery to OB/GYN to psychiatry. They use evidence-based medicine and the latest technology and techniques to promote health and well-being for the whole person. Some DOs practice osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) or osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which is manipulation or “adjustments” of the musculoskeletal system to improve structure and function.
Osteopathic Medicine is one of the fastest growing areas of healthcare in the United States. The whole-person approach to medicine allows DOs to provide comprehensive care to patients promoting overall health of the mind, body and spirit, not just treating symptoms. For more information on Osteopathic Medicine, check out: https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/.