TL;DR
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO treats joint pain and back pain at 972 N 600 E in Spanish Fork using a combination of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), targeted home exercises, joint injections, and medication when appropriate. Dr. Oldham’s triple board certification in family practice, OMT, and osteopathic manipulative medicine means musculoskeletal evaluation and hands-on treatment happen in the same visit. Most mechanical pain improves within two to four visits. Call (385) 265-6060 to schedule.
What Causes Joint and Back Pain?
Joint and back pain affect more than 58 million American adults, making musculoskeletal complaints the most common reason for outpatient visits in the United States, according to the CDC. The causes range from mechanical (muscle strain, facet joint dysfunction, ligament sprain, disc herniation) to inflammatory (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout) to referred (hip pathology presenting as knee pain, cervical radiculopathy presenting as arm pain). Dr. Oldham evaluates joint and back pain at the Spanish Fork office with a focused history (onset, location, aggravating and relieving factors, neurological symptoms) and a hands-on musculoskeletal and neurological exam that identifies the pain generator before ordering imaging or prescribing medication. That approach follows the AAFP guideline for low back pain, which recommends against routine imaging for acute mechanical back pain without red flags.
Dr. Oldham sees the full spectrum of musculoskeletal complaints in Spanish Fork: desk workers with cervical and thoracic strain, construction workers with lumbar disc disease, runners with IT band and patellofemoral pain, postpartum mothers with sacroiliac dysfunction, and older adults with osteoarthritic knees. His four years of surgical residency and triple board certification in osteopathic manipulative medicine give him a broader diagnostic and procedural toolkit than most primary care physicians carry into the exam room.
How Does Dr. Oldham Evaluate Joint and Back Pain?
Dr. Oldham’s evaluation begins with a detailed pain history: when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, whether it radiates, and whether there are associated symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or bladder dysfunction (red flags for cauda equina syndrome or myelopathy). The physical exam includes range of motion testing, palpation of the affected joint or spinal segment, orthopedic provocative tests (straight leg raise for lumbar radiculopathy, Spurling test for cervical radiculopathy, McMurray test for meniscal tears), neurological assessment (reflexes, sensation, motor strength), and an osteopathic structural exam that identifies somatic dysfunction: restricted segment motion, tissue texture changes, and asymmetry that OMT can address. The structural exam is unique to DOs and provides treatment-directing information that a standard orthopedic exam doesn’t capture.
Dr. Oldham orders imaging (X-ray, MRI) only when red flags are present, when symptoms persist beyond 4 to 6 weeks of conservative management, or when the exam findings suggest pathology that would change management (fracture, significant disc herniation with neurological deficit, inflammatory arthropathy). This evidence-based approach avoids unnecessary imaging costs and incidental findings that lead to unneeded procedures.
How Does Dr. Oldham Use OMT for Back Pain?
Dr. Oldham uses osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as the first-line intervention for mechanical back pain without red flags, applied during the same visit as the evaluation. OMT techniques include muscle energy (the patient contracts against the physician’s resistance to restore motion), high-velocity low-amplitude thrust (a quick, targeted adjustment to a restricted spinal segment), myofascial release (sustained pressure to release fascial restrictions), counterstrain (positioning the patient to relieve tender points), and facilitated positional release. Dr. Oldham selects techniques based on the specific finding: a facet joint restriction in the lumbar spine responds to muscle energy or HVLA, while a thoracolumbar fascial strain responds better to myofascial release. According to the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, OMT resolves 72% of lower back pain cases within 12 weeks. At the Spanish Fork office, patients typically report improvement after two to three sessions.
A scenario Dr. Oldham encounters frequently in Spanish Fork is patients self-treating chronic back pain with over-the-counter medications for months before seeking care. Dr. Oldham’s osteopathic approach identifies the structural cause (often a pelvic misalignment or sacroiliac dysfunction) and resolves it in three to four OMT sessions, eliminating the need for the daily ibuprofen the patient assumed was permanent.
Does Dr. Oldham Perform Joint Injections?
Dr. Oldham performs corticosteroid joint injections in the office for patients whose joint pain hasn’t responded to conservative management (OMT, exercises, oral anti-inflammatories) after four to six weeks. Common injection sites include the knee (osteoarthritis, bursitis), shoulder (subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy), hip (trochanteric bursitis), and trigger points in the cervical and lumbar paraspinal muscles. Injections combine a corticosteroid (triamcinolone or methylprednisolone) with a local anesthetic (lidocaine) and provide relief lasting weeks to months. Dr. Oldham limits corticosteroid injections to three to four per joint per year per orthopedic guidelines to avoid cartilage damage, and always combines injections with a rehabilitation plan (exercises, ergonomic changes) to address the underlying cause.
Dr. Oldham’s surgical training provides procedural confidence with injection techniques and landmark-guided anatomy. Joint injections at the Spanish Fork office take 5 to 10 minutes and require no anesthesia, downtime, or referral to a specialist.
When Should You See Dr. Oldham for Joint or Back Pain?
Dr. Oldham recommends scheduling a visit if joint or back pain lasts longer than two weeks, wakes you at night, limits your ability to work or exercise, is associated with numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, or hasn’t responded to over-the-counter pain medication. Red-flag symptoms that require same-day evaluation include sudden weakness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with back pain, and pain after significant trauma. A first visit for musculoskeletal evaluation runs 45 to 60 minutes at the Spanish Fork office and typically includes a history, exam, structural assessment, and OMT if indicated, all in one appointment.
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO manages joint and back pain inside the same primary care relationship that handles your preventive care, chronic conditions, and mental health. That means one physician seeing the full picture: the back pain, the desk posture, the weight, the stress, and the sleep quality that all contribute to how the body feels.
How Does Dr. Oldham’s Approach Compare to Seeing a Chiropractor or Orthopedist?
Dr. Oldham occupies a unique position between chiropractic care and orthopedic surgery for musculoskeletal complaints. A chiropractor (DC) provides spinal adjustments and manual therapy but cannot prescribe medication, order advanced imaging, or perform injections. An orthopedic surgeon evaluates surgical candidates and performs procedures but often doesn’t provide hands-on manual treatment or manage the patient’s other medical conditions. Dr. Oldham does all three: hands-on OMT, medication management, joint injections, and imaging orders, inside the same visit where he’s also managing the patient’s blood pressure and discussing their weight. For patients whose back or joint pain is mechanical and doesn’t require surgery, Dr. Oldham provides complete care without referral. For patients who do need surgery, Dr. Oldham refers to trusted orthopedic surgeons in Utah County and stays involved through recovery.
Does Insurance Cover Joint and Back Pain Treatment?
Musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment visits are billed under standard E&M codes, and OMT is billed as a separate procedure code (98925-98929) that most insurers cover. The 30+ insurance plans accepted at Dr. Oldham’s Spanish Fork office include coverage for office visits, OMT, and joint injections with standard copay or coinsurance. X-rays ordered in the office are covered as diagnostic imaging. MRI, if needed, is covered with a physician’s order and may require prior authorization depending on the plan. Generic NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) cost $4 to $10 for a 30-day supply. Patients are welcome to call the front desk to verify OMT and injection coverage before scheduling.
How Do I Schedule a Joint or Back Pain Visit With Dr. Oldham?
Book a musculoskeletal visit
New and existing patients can schedule by phone or online. Mention joint or back pain when calling so the front desk reserves the longer appointment slot for evaluation and OMT.
Call (385) 265-6060 Book online
972 N 600 E, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Frequently Asked Questions About Joint and Back Pain
Does OMT hurt?
Most OMT techniques are gentle and patients feel a release or easing instead of pain. Some techniques produce a brief stretch or popping sound. Dr. Oldham explains each step and adjusts if a technique is uncomfortable.
How many visits will I need for back pain?
Most mechanical back pain improves within two to four OMT visits. Chronic conditions may benefit from periodic maintenance. Dr. Oldham reassesses at each visit and adds imaging or referral if improvement stalls.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI for back pain?
Not usually. AAFP guidelines recommend against routine imaging for acute back pain without red flags. Dr. Oldham orders imaging only when exam findings suggest a specific structural problem that would change the treatment plan.
Can Dr. Oldham treat knee pain?
Yes. Dr. Oldham evaluates and treats knee pain from osteoarthritis, bursitis, meniscal injury, and patellofemoral syndrome with OMT, home exercises, bracing, corticosteroid injections, and referral to orthopedics when surgery is indicated.
Is OMT covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover OMT when performed by a licensed DO. Dr. Oldham bills OMT under standard osteopathic procedure codes (98925-98929). Call the front desk to verify your plan’s coverage.
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Individual diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made between a patient and their physician.
Content accuracy: Clinical guidance follows AAFP, AOA, and JAOA recommendations current as of April 2026.