Dr. Eric Spears, DO

Physiatrist (Physical Medicine) | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

3864 Talmadge Rd Eau Claire WI, 54701 Show map

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About

Dr. Eric Spears is a physiatrist practicing in Eau Claire, WI. Dr. Spears is a medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As a physiatrist, Dr. Spears 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. Spears 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.

Education and Training

Michigan State University 2009

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine MD 2014

Provider Details

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Dr. Eric Spears, DO

Dr. Eric Spears, DO's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can acupuncture help with chronic pain conditions?
Yes, but can is the key word. It can, but doesnt mean that it will. I recall reading that acupuncture was proven effective in doubleblinded randomized controlled trials for knee pain. Its recognized as a viable conservative pain management strategy by the majority of the medical community. Its by no means a cure all, nor does it address the underlying problem, but if you have an incurable problem thats causing pain then its definitely worth trying. READ MORE
How can I prevent and treat athlete's foot?
Never set a bare foot onto a public floor that gets wet such as a gym bathroom. Get a pair of antibacterial sandals if this is an activity that you do. Keep your feet dry at all times other than showeringbathing in your home or swimming. Change your socks immediately if they get wet. Buy antimicrobial socks. Use deodorant spray on your feet every morning and put dry powder in your shoes every morning before you put your feet in them. Never wear shoes without socks. Topical antifungals will only work if you keep the feet dry. If your shoes are dirty, buy a new pair or get antimicrobial insoles. READ MORE
What helps with sciatica?
Depends on the cause. If its from the back its a much different conversation than if its coming from the sciatic nerve itself. An EMG would be able to tell the difference. READ MORE
How can I improve my flexibility and range of motion to support spinal health?
The gold standard would be to meet with a physical therapist. To improve with physical therapy, you have to go in with the mindset of a child taking piano lessons. Most of the improvement is made between sessions as you master the basic exercises by practicing between appointments. Home exercise programs can also be effective, but youd lack an expert in spinal mobility giving you feedback on your form. Research shows outcomes are less favorable. Theres also a higher risk of injury. In general, holding a stretch for 30 seconds is better than 15 seconds, but 60 seconds is no better than 30 seconds. So 30 seconds is the most productive duration of a stretch for your time. Depending on the stretch, a typical recommendation would be to do it twice in a row once daily or twice in a row twice daily. Stretching 5 days per week is better than 3, but 7 days per week is no better than 5, and those 2 days off gives your body time to adjust. READ MORE
What provides pain relief for chronic ankle pain?
Pain is a symptom of an underlying problem. Finding the underlying problem is the most important first step before any treatment. Never manage pain before ruling out a fixable problem. Some problems are fixable, some problems are partially fixable, and others are incurable. Establishing which one of these three categories your ankle problem fits under guides management. READ MORE
What should be done to my elbow?
If its through workers comp and you live in Wisconsin, you have the right to choose your own doctor. You should be assigned a case manager. Id have to look at it in person but you may need that fluid aspirated with ultrasound guidance. READ MORE
What can help with ankle arthritis pain?
Every patient is different and it would be a disservice to you to answer this question with a cookie-cutter answer. As a PM&R Physician, I'd look at how the arthritis is affecting your function as well, especially your gait (walking). It all starts with the right diagnosis and evaluation. I would ensure that your pain is indeed coming from the ankle joint and that the arthritis is the cause rather than something else. I would ensure that the correct type of arthritis is diagnosed. For instance, let's say you have osteoarthritis / degenerative arthritis of the ankle, but it actually turns out that you also are having an inflammatory arthritis such as gout (needle shaped monosodium urate crystals) or pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals). Painful arthritis in the ankle joint is also a red flag for rheumatoid arthritis as 90% of patients with RA will develop arthritis of the foot and/or ankle over the course of their disease, and is the first symptom of RA in about 20% of patients. Post-traumatic arthritis would be if the arthritis was caused by a prior injury and would bring up other factors in regard to treatment. Per the arthritis foundation, there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. However, you are more likely to get struck by lightning than you are to have 90 of those 100 (the lightning reference is presuming that you live in the United States). You need to see a doctor experienced in treating this. PM&R is the perfect specialty to start with for evaluation and treatment of arthritis of the ankle given its implications on gait and function. I'd be happy to see you in my clinic to help further. You can book an appointment at erspears.com/appointment. Best of luck to you either way! Dr Eric Spears, DO Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Owner and CEO of Spears Pain & Rehab READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Semiquantitative potentiometric method for direct measurement of nitrogen dioxide in air.

Areas of expertise and specialization

amputations, arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions, rheumatologic disorders, spinal cord injury, sports injuries, stroke, and traumatic brain injurybotulinum toxin injections, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and trigger point injections

Faculty Titles & Positions

Founder, Owner and President Spears Pain & Rehab -
physician OakLeaf Network -
Medical Director Sacred Heart Hospital 2019 - 2023

Dr. Eric Spears, DO's Practice location

Spears Pain & Rehabilitation

3864 Talmadge Rd -
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Get Direction

New patients: 715-900-2990

https://www.erspears.com/

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

617 W CLAIREMONT AVE -
EAU CLAIRE, WI 54701

Get Direction

New patients: 715-839-5175

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Media Releases

Revolutionizing Pain Management with Spears Pain & Rehab, S.C.

A committed physiatrist. Dr. Spears is the Founder, Owner and President of Spears Pain & Rehab, a cutting-edge clinic specializing in comprehensive pain management and rehabilitation services in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Together with his team of expert physicians, he is committed to providing patients with personalized care that addresses a wide range of medical conditions. He recently joined forces with the OakLeaf Network, a prestigious group of independent physicians dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services.

In his clinical role, he specializes in a wide range of conditions, including amputations, arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions, rheumatologic disorders, spinal cord injury, sports injuries, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.

Graduating with high honors from Michigan State University in 2009, Dr. Spears majored in PreMed and Psychology with a minor in Bioethics, Humanities, & Society. In 2014, he earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his physical medicine & rehabilitation residency training through the Larkin Community Hospital program in South Miami, Florida.

Throughout his career, his experience includes serving as the inpatient rehab medical director of the Sacred Heart Hospital inpatient rehab facility from 2019-2023, along with working at an outpatient Prevea PM&R clinic.

In addition to his expertise in various areas of pain management and rehabilitation, Dr. Spears offers advanced procedures to address his patients' needs. Patients can benefit from state-of-the-art procedures such as botulinum toxin injections, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and trigger point injections, among others. These cutting-edge treatments aim to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life for individuals seeking relief from various medical conditions.