2 min read
In this interview, Dr. Schmitt discusses how her physical medicine background supports her commitment to conducting every independent medical exam with fairness and an open mind.
Susan Schmitt, M.D., has been practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) for over 25 years, treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries and spine pain. She works with injured workers, commercial insurance clients, and private-pay patients.
Her clinical expertise includes over two decades of experience in electrodiagnostic medicine, such as EMG and nerve conduction studies, as well as more than 20 years of using intramuscular stimulation (IMS), also known as dry needling, for neuropathic and myofascial pain.
Susan Schmitt, M.D.
Physical Medicine
In addition, Dr. Schmitt has performed lumbar epidural injections for over seven years and has incorporated bedside ultrasound for the evaluation of shoulders, wrists, and knees for the past eight. She brings a movement-based philosophy to her care, with advanced training in Spatial Dynamics, the Feldenkrais Method, and Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) techniques. These approaches emphasize functional posture and body awareness as part of recovery.
Dr. Schmitt on Independent Medical Evaluations
What are the most common workplace injuries you see?
I see a broad range of injuries in the workers' compensation setting, many of which involve the spine and soft tissue. My background in EMGs, dry needling, and movement-based rehab helps me get to the root of persistent musculoskeletal and neuropathic complaints.
What helps you most when preparing for an IME?
Initial and most recent chart notes, imaging reports, and worker statements are especially helpful—particularly when they describe the mechanism of injury and job duties in detail. These give me the context I need before the exam.
What is your approach to the exam itself?
My number one focus is to be fair. I try to be open-minded, methodical, and courteous. When examinees feel at ease, they tend to share more, and the process runs more smoothly for everyone.
How do you handle inconsistencies in the records or patient history?
If there’s a discrepancy, I often reframe or revisit the question later in the visit to give the worker a chance to clarify. I genuinely enjoy the detective work—it’s about being thorough, giving people space to explain, and looking for where the truth lies.
Dr. Schmitt's Credentials & Highlights
- Board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2019)
- Fellowship-trained in in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Michigan (1999)
- Founded and Lead Clinician at Integrative Spine & Body Medicine (2007)
- Medical Director, Brain Rehab Network (effective July 2025)
Interested in scheduling an IME with Dr. Schmitt or another specialist? Contact us today.
Want to interview one of our physicians? Now is your chance! If you are a legal or claims professional, you can ask a claims-related question informally by clicking here.