Physician Spotlight on Dr. Ashley E. Mitchell

How did you get interested in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

I was drawn to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation because of its ultimate focus on function, movement, and quality of life. As an active individual myself, I strongly believe in exercise as medicine and the profound impact physical activity has on overall health. PM&R allows me to combine deep problem-solving with meaningful patient relationships to help people get back to moving, staying active, and doing the things they love most.

What is interventional physiatry?

Interventional Physiatry is a non-surgical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating spine, joint, nerve, and musculoskeletal pain using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. This includes image-guided injections, regenerative medicine, and targeted procedures designed to reduce pain and restore mobility. Crucially, I take a medication- and opioid-sparing approach, utilizing these tools to help patients avoid surgery whenever possible—or to improve their functional outcomes if surgery is ultimately necessary.

What is your practice philosophy?

My practice philosophy centers on listening carefully to each patient and treating them as an active partner in their care. I believe firmly in exercise as medicine, conservative care, and medication- and opioid-sparing strategies that prioritize long-term functional recovery over quick fixes. Whether the goal is avoiding surgery entirely or optimizing recovery for a necessary procedure, my aim is to empower patients with education, restore their movement, and help them achieve the highest level of activity possible.

What does a typical appointment with you look like?

A typical appointment starts with a detailed conversation about a patient’s symptoms, daily activities, lifestyle, and personal goals. I perform a thorough physical examination and review any imaging to uncover the root mechanical cause of the issue. From there, we build a personalized, active recovery plan together—incorporating targeted physical therapy, movement strategies, and, when appropriate, minimally invasive interventions—all designed to minimize reliance on medications, avoid unnecessary surgery, and maximize function.

What types of conditions do you treat?

I treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and spine-related conditions, including neck and back pain, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, arthritis, sports injuries, tendonitis, joint pain, nerve pain, and overuse injuries. Across all of these conditions, my primary lens is functional: helping patients manage pain through medication- and opioid-sparing approaches so they can return to active, independent, and high-level movement.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Seeing patients achieve their functional goals, reclaim their active lifestyles, and get back to doing what they love.