Meet the Experienced Doctors Behind Physicians' Back Institute
Irène Minkowsky, M.D.
After graduating from the University of Brussels Medical School, Dr. Irène Minkowsky trained in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University. She is board certified in this specialty and has been in practice in San Francisco for over 30 years.
To complement her traditional medical training, Dr. Minkowsky has done extensive postgraduate work in osteopathy primarily through the Michigan State University School of Osteopathy and the Barral Institute.
Her treatment approach is conservative, relying principally on manipulation, exercise and injections.
She and her husband, Robert, co-authored a chapter, The Spine, An Integral Part of the Lower Extremity in the book of Dr. Ronald Valmassy, Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Extremities. Dr. Irène Minkowsky has also contributed a chapter in the upcoming book of Dr. Jerome Weiss on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
Robert Minkowsky, M.D.
Dr. Robert Minkowsky also graduated from the University of Brussels Medical School. His postgraduate training was in Internal Medicine at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. He is board certified in Internal Medicine.
Dr. Robert Minkowsky has been in practice in San Francisco since 1980. Over that time his interest in musculoskeletal problems progressively developed and currently comprises his entire practice. He too has studied osteopathic medicine intensively through Michigan State University and the Barral Institute and is very experienced in osteopathic manipulation. He uses his analytical background in internal medicine to solve complicated problems.
Patient Experiences
I had the best experience with Dr. Robert, who not only took the time to patiently explain my issues but also talked about the process of how we can address it, with realistic timelines and expectations. Having gone through several doctors in the last three weeks due to my herniated disc pain issues, I was tired and frustrated with some of my experiences. Seeing Dr. Robert was a pleasant change!
– Tj
Dr. Irene Minkowsky is an amazing physiatrist! I have been seeing her for 6 months due to congenital hip problems and she has provided a lot of pain relief in addition to improving my mobility. Her holistic approach of visceral manipulation, osteopathic manipulation and proliferative therapy helps to treat complex problems in a conservative manner. Highly recommended!
– BT
After a terrible bicycle accident years ago…. Dr. Irène Minkowsky was the only doctor able to correctly diagnose and appropriately treat me… For years, she has helped me enormously to be able to function and live more fully with much less pain. I am forever grateful, happily… excellent!
– KC
Dr. Robert’s expertise has been an absolute lifesaver in reducing my back pain, improving my muscle strength, and helping me manage my scoliosis. I first saw Dr. Robert in 2015, as a college student suffering daily from scoliosis-related back pain, and the exercise regimen he gave me dramatically improved my symptoms. It’s been a staple of my routine for 8 years and helps me to do the sports and activities I love. In 2023, I came back after suffering intense pain from an acute back injury, and Dr. Robert again crafted an at-home routine that helped me heal and get back to fighting fit. He truly takes the time to thoroughly and compassionately observe, ask questions, and walk you through the how, what, and why of what will be beneficial for your back. So grateful for this practice!
– AM
Osteopathic Care
Osteopathic care offers a multifaceted approach to healing, focusing on the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and self-heal chronic and acute conditions. When diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal ailments, osteopathic physicians treat the whole person, not just the area of symptoms, our osteopathic practitioners aim to identify and address the root causes of chronic pain. Through manual techniques using different types of manipulation and massage, osteopathic care aims to increase joint mobility and achieve neuromuscular balance, improve circulation, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being.
An example of osteopathic treatment is cranial osteopathy, an approach that focuses on the gentle manipulation of the skull and its underlying structures. This technique aims to restore balance and alleviate tension in the skull and brain. By targeting the cranial bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid, cranial osteopathic practitioners address a wide range of issues including headache, neck pain tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo (dizziness), temporomandibular joint disorders (tmj), facial pain and other musculoskeletal issues. This non-invasive therapy is gentle, yet effective, in promoting balance in the body and reducing pain.
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
Neuromusculoskeletal medicine focuses on the relationship between the nervous system, muscles, and skeleton. A holistic approach aims to address issues that may stem from these interconnected systems.
- Personalized Treatment: By understanding the complex interactions within the neuromusculoskeletal system, the doctors at the Physicians’ Back Institute tailor treatment to each individual patient. The more personalized the approach, the more likely that care is going to be effective and successful.
- Preventative Care: In our office we also emphasize preventive measures to maintain optimal musculoskeletal health. Through education and early intervention, using a therapeutic home exercise program to improve posture, core muscle strength, muscle inhibition and balance, our doctors help patients prevent injuries and manage conditions before they escalate.
The approach at the Physicians’ Back Institute to neuromusculoskeletal medicine is to have a deep understanding of the intricate connections between the nervous system, muscles, skeleton and viscera (organs), individualize care and emphasize prevention.
We Are San Francisco Osteopaths Approaching Health and Healing Naturally
Our focus is always on making a precise diagnosis and then providing manual therapy and patient-centered care that promotes holistic healing. By offering hands-on techniques such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), treatment is directed to the root cause of the patient’s health issues.
This approach emphasizes the importance of treating the whole person, taking into account physical, emotional, and environmental factors that may impact well-being. Through a commitment to individualized care and a dedication to empowering patients on their healing journey, the success rate of alleviating pain and improving neuromuscular function increases exponentially.