Dr. Michael Hatzakis M.D.
Physiatrist (Physical Medicine) | Sports Medicine
4140 Factoria Blvd SE Suite A Bellevue WA, 98006About
Dr. Michael Hatzakis is a physiatrist practicing in Bellevue, WA. Dr. Hatzakis is a medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As a physiatrist, Dr. Hatzakis focuses on a patients ability to function, and can treat multiple conditions that affect the brain, nerves, spine, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Dr. Hatzakis can diagnose and treat pain that is a result of injury, disease or a disabling condition. Physiatrists often lead a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists and physicians in a patients treatment or prevention plan. He can offer Telehealth remote video appointments for patients all over the state, especially in this time when we're all being urged to stay home, he can still assess and treat you remotely.
Education and Training
Thomas Jefferson University PM&R Specialization 1995
Stanford University School of Medicine 1995
Board Certification
Physical Medicine and RehabilitationAmerican Board of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationABPMR
Provider Details
Dr. Michael Hatzakis M.D.'s Expert Contributions
How can I find relief from body pain?
The most obvious answer is to talk to a doctor who specializes in physical pain and physical functioning. Even now, during this crisis, many doctors practices, like mine, are offering Telehealth visits, to help evaluate you properly. That is the first step. Exercise is also key, as long as you don't have any conditions that would prevent you from safely excising. Exercise is medicine. READ MORE
How soon do you see a physical therapist after tearing your ACL?
First, you should see a sports physician, either a physical medicine & rehab (Physiatrist) doctor, an orthopedic sports physician or other doctor specializing in knee injuries, to assess how severe it is. Some should be surgically repaired first before therapy. Then, your doctor and your physical therapist can partner together to guide your son back to function quickly, most do not need surgery. READ MORE
Is paracetamol good for headaches?
Paracetamol is basically Tylenol. Really, no drug is "good" for headaches. Meaning, the best treatment for a condition is finding out why the headache is there, medication such as Tylenol help with the symptoms, but doesn't get at the problem. Find a good neurologist. Find the cause and stop taking medications. READ MORE
How do you crack your upper back?
Lots of ways to do that, but you have to ask yourself, why would you want to keep doing that? Find out why your back needs cracking. Most times, mid-back discomfort and pain is caused by chronic poor sitting posture, ergonomics of your job, stress, etc. My advice, figure out what is wrong first and that way, you won't want to crack your back anymore. READ MORE
When should I see a doctor for heel pain?
Obviously, I cannot, and should not try to diagnose you over the internet. But, one good way to start is by stretching your calfs and your foot muscles, there are lots of great calf stretches and I found that 75% of people with "plantar fasciitis" and "calcaneal tendinitis" get better with good calf stretching. If that dosent help, then yes, a good physical therapist or physiatrist can help you READ MORE
How do I get my shoulder to stop hurting?
It depends on why your shoulder hurts. There are so many causes, from frozen shoulder, to weakness of the rotator cuff muscles, to poor posture when sitting at your desk. Best thing to do is find a local physical therapist or physiatrist, even in these times, many can help diagnose through remote telehealth. The majority of shoulder issues can be treated with either posture change, strengthening and/or stretching. READ MORE
What is the best medication for arthritis pain?
The answer to this question depends a lot on what kind of arthritis and how long you've had it, and whether you have swelling or not. I would not try to find an answer on the internet, see a doctor called a Rheumatologist, they will be able to guide you on the best medications. All drugs have risks. For example, while drugs like Advil can be good for pain, they have risks to your kidneys and stomach. High doses of Tylenol are bad for your liver. Anti-inflammatory diets are really good for mild inflammatory pain. But once again, I cannot diagnose you over the internet READ MORE
What can an orthopedic doctor do for back pain?
An "Orthopedic doctor" is generally a surgeon and they do surgery, sometimes needed, but not very often in a 15 year old. Start with a physician examination, a good pediatrician, especially one with sports training, a Physiatrist, or a really good physical therapist. If physical therapy does not help initially, see a physician who can decide if imaging can help. READ MORE
When should you see a doctor for elbow pain?
If any painful condition is not getting steadily better with rest and reduced use, it is a good idea to see a physician. Physiatrists are specializing in muscle, bone and joint issues. if there is not one near you, a good sports medicine trained physician is good, or your primary care physician can help. READ MORE
What is the fastest way to heal tendonitis in the wrist?
In general, rest and splinting until pain is better, then exercise and stretch. Go in to see a good physical therapist, and if that does not help, see a physician specializing in muscle, joint, and tendon issues. READ MORE
Is physical therapy useful?
Thats a really big "it depends". How long since your car accident, where the pain is, what kind of pain. Physical therapy is a component of a good recovery plan. If your pain has lasted more than a couple of months, see a Physiatrist to partner with your physical therapist to guide your treatment, prescribe medications, injections, other treatments and to work with your therapist to get the best exercises to get you better faster READ MORE
What can I do about my shoulder pain?
There are many causes of chronic shoulder pain, which I cannot diagnose on the internet. But in very general terms, shoulder pain in a young person are most often caused by poor sitting posture (impingement), weakness of the rotator cuff muscles, and sometimes a frozen shoulder. These problems can be fixed with proper stretching, strengthening and posture changes. A physician can often guide you in this process, non-surgical specialists of the muscles, bones and joints are called Physiatrists READ MORE
Why does my knee hurt?
As you know, I cannot diagnose your condition on the internet. But in very general terms, a young person with knee pain who has not had a traumatic event is often caused by tightness or weakness in the muscles. See a good physical therapist first, if that does not help initially, see a specialized physician for this, READ MORE
Is physical therapy effective?
Yes, physical therapy is the appropriate place to start, in general, for muscle strains and sprains. If you don't get better initially with PT, consider seeing a physician who specializes in non-surgical care of muscle injuries, i.e., physiatrists. READ MORE
How can I deal with arthritis knee pain?
In general, people who have knee pain should start with a good stretching and strengthening program, guided by a good physical evaluation. Physical therapy is a great start, seeing a physiatrist or non-surgical sports medicine doctor is always a good place to start, too. READ MORE
Do physiatrists prescribe meds?
Yes, they can, but they can do so much more. A physiatrist will evaluate your functional goals, and understand what you are trying to get out of your medical care and help get you there. Medications are just a small part of that READ MORE
What can I expect from a physiatrist visit?
A physiatrist generally takes time to understand your goals, what is wrong and what you cannot do and he or she will be the quarterback for your care, coordinating therapies, injections, surgical referrals, medications, and life style changes to get you to where you want to go with your care. READ MORE
Will physical therapy help me with my leg pain?
Physical therapy is a very appropriate place to start, but if that does not help and you are not getting better, and especially if you have any neurological symptoms at all, you need to see a doctor right away to get a more thorough diagnosis READ MORE
What should I do with my herniated disc?
There is no way for me to tell if, in fact, your herniated disc is the cause of your pain. In very general terms, 30-80% of people with herniated or bulging discs have no symptoms. It is impossible to know which group you are in, but you should see a specialist to find out. Your plan could be something unrelated to that disc, or, you may need to do some stretching or exercise or even injections. See a physician specializing in spine problems, Physiatrists specialize in non-surgical care of the spine READ MORE
Will a physiatry follow up tell my friend more about his stroke?
A physiatrist will help guide your friend back to his best function. He can tell you the likelihood he will recovery some functions and most importantly, will guide the therapies he needs to get back to his best. There is no way to tell him exactly, but for guidance on functional recovery, Physiatrists are the best place to start, partnering with physical therapists specializing in neurological recovery READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Professor of Medicine University of Washington 1999 - 2005
- Owner and Founder Rehabilitation Options of Issaquah 2005 - 2017
- Director of Rehabilitation Services Overlake Hospital 2017 - 2020
Treatments
- Back Pain
- Pain
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