E169: Dr. Ryan Budwany on Chronic Pain, Minimally Invasive Care & Restoring Function

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast! This week, I am joined by Dr. Ryan Budwany, an interventional pain specialist and Chief Medical Officer at Pain Health. In this episode, we explore chronic pain—why so many patients feel stuck, how pain is often managed with medications instead of truly treated, and why waiting too long can lead to long-term loss of function.Dr. Budwany shares insights into modern, minimally invasive treatment options, including image-guided procedures, diagnostic injections, and advanced technologies that target the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms. We also discuss how pain impacts overall health, including movement, weight, and mental well-being.Tune in to learn how early intervention and a more proactive approach can help patients restore function and get their lives back.Dr. Ryan Budwany, MD, MBA, MPH, is a triple board-certified interventional pain and spine physician and Chief Medical Officer of PainHealth, based in the Tampa Bay area. He specializes in advanced, minimally invasive, non-opioid treatments focused on identifying and treating the source of pain—helping patients improve function, restore quality of life, and return to the activities that matter most.Recognizing that pain carries both a significant personal and economic burden, Dr. Budwany leverages his background in medicine, public health, and business to develop innovative, scalable models of care that move beyond medications and focus on preventing disability. He is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence and medical technology into pain care—using tools like AI-driven patient education, clinical decision support, and remote monitoring to enhance outcomes and expand access to care.Dr. Budwany works with patients locally in Tampa Bay, across Florida, and nationally, and is a recognized speaker on the future of pain care and healthcare innovation.00:00 – Introduction and why chronic pain is often misunderstood02:15 – Meet Dr. Ryan Budwany and his background05:10 – Why patients delay seeking care08:40 – Pain as a warning sign, not just a symptom12:30 – How pain affects mood, weight, and lifestyle16:45 – Why pain care became medication-focused21:20 – The “fire alarm” analogy explained25:10 – Minimally invasive spine treatments30:05 – Diagnostic vs therapeutic injections34:50 – Using pain relief as a window for recovery39:10 – Transition to advanced solutions (Part 2 preview)Connect with Dr. BudwanyWebsite: www.painhealth.comWork Email: [email protected]:    / @painhealthmd  LinkedIn:   / ryan-budwany-md-mba-mph-557a248b  Connect with Dr. RellerPodcast website: