Meet Our Newest Pain Medicine Specialist
Meet Our Newest Pain Medicine Specialist,
Dr. Athanasios Magimbi
February 2002
If you suffer from chronic pain, Athanasios Magimbi, M.D., may be able to help. Dr. Magimbi joined Sutter Tracy last September after finishing a pain medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh hospital. He graduated from the University of Athens Medical School in Greece and completed his internship and residency in anesthesiology at New York State University in Buffalo.
As part of his pain medicine fellowship, Dr. Magimbi cared for patients in terrible pain, including many cancer patients and those dying from terminal illnesses. His training included mastering the latest equipment and state-of-the-art therapies, such as intrathecal morphine pumps and spinal cord stimulators.
"University hospitals usually get the toughest cases, which gave me some great hands-on experience," says Dr. Magimbi. "A lot of people put up with chronic pain unnecessarily when there are proven methods of diagnosing and treating their pain. The medical and technological advances of the past few years have been incredible."
One of the most common treatments Dr. Magimbi performs is the injection of steroids into the spine (epidural steroid injection). A series of three injections given every six months can effectively reduce and sometimes even eliminate chronic back pain for months at a time.
He treats other types of pain as well, including shingles-related suffering and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a burning pain that often occurs in the arms and legs. Medications typically used to control seizures have been found helpful in treating shingles-related pain, while block therapies can help RSD patients, says Dr. Magimbi.
"RSD can be completely reversed if caught early. If treated too late or incorrectly, it can last a lifetime," says Dr. Magimbi. "Many primary care physicians may not recognize the problem right away. If a patient isn't getting relief from his or her pain, it may be time to see a specialist."
Dr. Magimibi can be reached at the Tracy Pain Management Clinic at 209-833-0381. Check with your primary care doctor first to see if you need a referral.
