Dr. Esparza MD

Dr. Esparza MD is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and practices in Albuquerque, NM. Having achieved the highest level of training in his specialty, he was fellowship trained at the Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, FL. He has been in practice for 20 years.

Dr. Esparza MD is a native New Mexican and was educated at the Universities of New Mexico and California. He earned his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego and completed his internship and residency at Loma Linda Medical Center, in California. He served as Chief Resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Loma Linda.

Dr. Esparza’s MD professional career has been spent in Albuquerque, NM and for over 20 years he has pursued medical research at several University of California institutions including UC San Francisco and UC San Diego, as well as at Loma Linda University Medical Center. His published papers include studies on the bone marker “bone gla protein” on the spinal cord injury population, “Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Rehabilitative Perspective,” and the neurobiology of the joints. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the North American Spine Society.

Dr. Esparza MD balances his work as a physician with family life with his wife and children, and his dog, Lucky. He enjoys mountain biking and eagerly follows the trails camping, backpacking, and hiking.

What is a Physiatrist?

A physiatrist practices a whole-person approach to medicine, treating a wide variety of conditions ranging from back or neck injuries to disease and conditions that impact mobility and function.

Function is most important.

We know that pain prevents you from living the life you are meant to live. We want to see you moving as freely and comfortably as possible – so that you can function at the highest possible level and enjoy your life.

Dr. Esparza MD helps coordinate your care for the long-term, using a variety of modalities including physical, occupational and recreational therapy, PRP (Plasma-Rich Platelets,) targeted steroidal injections to reduce inflammation and pain so that you can pursue rehabilitation and physical therapy or experience less pain during day-to-day activities.

“Physiatrists primarily treat conditions of the bones, muscles, joints, and central/peripheral nervous system that affect a person’s ability to function.” – The Medical Student’s Guide to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation“

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physiatrists handle the rehabilitation needs of people with a variety of diseases including MS and Parkinson’s disease in addition to those who have suffered injuries to their spinal cords or brain. Doctors who practice Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatrists) also help their patients manage pain. Physiatrists do not perform back surgery but in some cases will refer patients to orthopedic surgeons.

Some conditions that Physiatrists diagnose and treat include:

• Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Sports injuries
• Post-Operative care
• Worker’s Compensation for on-the-job injuries