Boston Orthopaedic & Spine Welcomes Dr. Jennifer Luz, Double Board-Certified, Non-Operative Sports Medicine and Physiatry (PM&R) Specialist
Meet Dr. Jennifer Luz
Board-certified in both physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine, Dr. Luz joins Boston Orthopaedic & Spine in the spring of 2025, adding her considerable skill set to the highly regarded medical team that includes 10 orthopedic surgeons, another physiatrist and a podiatrist.
Boston Orthopaedic & Spine will also be expanding to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility in Waltham in the spring of 2025. This growth, in addition to a double board-certified physician joining the practice, means a lot of excitement for the whole team.
“Having practiced in the area for so long, I knew the doctors at Boston Ortho. When this opportunity presented itself, I was excited. The practice’s culture is very open, communication is excellent, and the energy is so positive. Plus, there is a great deal of growth and expansion in the practice, including a new surgical center coming soon.” – Dr. Luz
A Whole-Body Approach
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (or physiatry) is a medical specialty that uses nonsurgical treatment to restore and enhance functional ability and quality of life for individuals with physical impairments or disabilities. While not orthopedics, it complements an orthopedic practice very well. Orthopedic surgeons spend a lot of time in the operating room fixing big problems, so it’s helpful to have additional specialists who can focus on issues from a nonsurgical perspective.
“Physiatry is a holistic, biomechanical approach. I chose this specialty because, while we are experts in musculoskeletal conditions, we take all systems of the body into account in treatment.” – Dr. Luz
In other words, physicians like Dr. Luz are trained to look at the whole person and consider what factors in their life could have led to the issue and will be important in their recovery, not just where the pain is. Lifestyle factors include things like how many stairs are in the home, whether the patient lives alone or with others, diet, exercise and sleep habits, to name a few.
Dr. Luz gave the example of a runner whose ankle is hurting. A physiatrist would put the patient on a treadmill and do a gait analysis, looking at the shoes he or she is wearing, the way the foot strikes the ground, etc. The exam would be an exercise in finding the root cause of the problem, not just finding a way to alleviate the symptoms.
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Dr. Luz also brings considerable experience in treating concussions, which are common sports injuries, and has spent years working with tactical athletes, the term used for police, fire and EMS professionals.
The Many Benefits of Ultrasound
“I can talk with the patient, walk them through the anatomy and explain the injury. It’s so helpful for both the patient and the doctor to visualize what is happening, using pictures instead of words alone. I joke that the ultrasound wand is my fifth appendage.” – Dr. Luz
Dr. Luz also uses ultrasound in regenerative medicine, also called orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Ultrasound improves the accuracy of the placement of the injections, and Dr. Luz can get feedback from her patients in real time, ensuring she is treating the precise location of the injury.
Choosing physiatry and sports medicine has led to a great deal of job satisfaction for Dr. Luz.
“It feels good to help people. I enjoy the connection with my patients and their family members, and I get to develop long-term relationships with people in this specialty. Being part of Boston Orthopedics will only enhance that.” – Dr. Luz
Dr. Luz is now welcoming new patients at Boston Orthopaedic & Spine. Call (617) 738-8642 to schedule an appointment today.