Dr Jeremy Steinberg is dual trained in Musculoskeletal Medicine and General Practice. He splits his time between Musculoskeletal Medicine at Marua Medical Specialist Health Centre, and General Practice at Ellerslie Medical Centre.
At Marua Medical Specialist Health Centre Jeremy sees patients aged 13 and older referred for primary chronic musculoskeletal pain problems (he doesn't see children 12 and under). He has particular interests in:
- Chronic musculoskeletal problems that have been difficult to diagnose
- Chronic spinal pain (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac, and coccyx)
- Radicular pain and radiculopathy
- The intersection between musculoskeletal medicine and neurology (certain but not all headache, neuromuscular, and neuropathic pain disorders)
- Complications from joint hypermobility
He is also trained to do image guided injections under ultrasound and fluoroscopy for various conditions (particularly spinal) plus radiofrequency neurotomy for facet joint pain. He completed a fellowship in Spinal Interventional Pain Management in Auckland in 2022-2023. He works closely with other local Musculoskeletal Medicine specialists, as well as colleagues in the Allied Health fields.
Please note: For ACC funding there needs to be a clear injury link to a specific event. Most chronic pain is not related to injury. For example, assessments around hypermobility are not covered under ACC. Chronic pain that predates a minor aggravation is generally not covered.
What is Musculoskeletal Medicine?
Musculoskeletal medicine involves the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, cartilage, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissue). Musculoskeletal disorders may occur as the result of injury or be gradual in onset such as osteoarthritis and tendinopathy.
Management of musculoskeletal disorders includes a wide range of treatments such as: patient education, pain management strategies, manual therapy, exercise and rehabilitation programmes, specialised diagnostic and therapeutic injection techniques, and medication.
There is overlap between Musculoskeletal Medicine, Rheumatology, Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Orthopaedic Surgery. Your GP or allied health provider will be able to guide you on the best type of doctor to see for your problem.
- Musculoskeletal Medicine Specialists usually see patients with musculoskeletal pain problems that are due to injury or the ageing process. There is an emphasis on diagnostic accuracy where possible.
- Rheumatology has a focus on joint pain that is due to a problem with the immune system such as Rheumatoid Arthritis but may also see patients with injury and age related conditions.
- Orthopaedic Surgeons are the only specialists able to provide surgical options for pain and are also experts in fracture management.
- Sport and Exercise Medicine is the medical care of the exercising person. This may include injuries or any general medical concern as it relates to exercise.
- Pain Medicine has an emphasis on complex pain where the problem isn't directly curable (for example pain in multiple different areas of the body) with the aim of improving function and quality of life. Most Pain Medicine physicians work in the hospital chronic pain clinics where there is a strong emphasis on using a team based approach to care.
