Physician’s Corner

Dr. Jamie Baines, DO

Dupage Medical Center

Board Certified Family Practice and

Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician

Every month we select a physician to highlight for our newsletter. We strive to have an open line of communication with doctors that our patients work with. Our open line of communication allows every aspect of your health-care to be taken care of in the most effective way. We choose to educate you on doctors that are in the top of their field, great team players, and exemplify the quality of standards that Achieve Orthopedic Rehab Institute possesses.

 1. What is osteopathic medicine? What is different when seeing a traditional GP?

Osteopathic Medicine (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, DO) is a medical training that is similar to a medical doctor, however it goes above and beyond traditional training.   Your Osteopathic Family Physician is trained to think of your whole body and life situation to help diagnose, treat and prevent disease.  In its philosophy the body is a unit. What happens in one part of the body affects other parts of the body. Additionally, structure and function are related. If the structure isn’t right then the body can’t function well and if the body isn’t functioning well it will affect the structure.  Finally, Osteopathic Family Physicians are trained to perform Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).

2. How would you describe your treatment philosophy to potential patients?

As a board certified Family Practice and Primary Care Sports Medicine Osteopathic physician, it is my goal to promote health, fitness, and happiness.  Through prevention, proper education, and exercises, many diseases can be prevented.  I treat all ages, from babies to the elderly, as well as all types of illnesses and injuries.   I like to find creative ways to keep athletes active and engaged while they rehab injuries.  I have a passion to lead and empower my patients in a direction toward a healthier life and lifestyle.

3.  How can our active patients benefit from seeing a primary care sports medicine physician vs. other specialty?

Primary Care Sports Medicine physicians are specialty trained for total care of athletes and active individuals.  It is a separate fellowship after family medicine residency.   We are not surgeons, so training is focused on non-operative care as well as intensive understanding of musculoskeletal structure and function, exercise physiology, ergonomics,  rehabilitation, nutrition, mental well being, and disease management.   In short, we are non-operative specialists that treat the entire body, not just a specific injury.

4. What is a manipulation? How do patients benefit from them?

Osteopathic Family Physicians are trained to perform Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This is a non-invasive hands-on treatment that is based on the belief that all parts of the body are connected and that manipulating the musculoskeletal system helps to make your body function better.   Examples include muscle energy, high velocity/low amplitude joint mobilizations, and myofacial stretching. These specialty techniques restore symmetry to the body to reduce pain, restore proper movement, and return ergonomic function. This skill separates DOs from MDs.

5. Holistic treatment of clients often mean managing weight, nutrition, fatigue, etc. How do you fit that into your practice?

As a Sports Medicine focused Family Medicine physician, our overall responsibility is to think of the entire health of our patients.  DOs promote a patient-centered approach to health care. Often disease can be prevented and treated with weight management, a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, and exercise. Physical activity is integral in the prevention and treatment of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, depression, and chronic fatigue. Before starting a medication, it's best to encourage patients to optimize their health in ways that they can control. Every day we focus on a holistic approach to medicine

If you are interested in learning more about a specific topic, doctor, or specialty please email questions to mparker@achieveortho.com or call 630-371-1623.