CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — With over a decade of experience as a chiropractor and sports medicine practitioner, Josh Williams, physician assistant-certified, brings comprehensive insight into musculoskeletal and joint issues to Desert Pain Specialists. 

Desert Pain uses cutting-edge, minimally invasive therapies to enhance the results of conservative care such as chiropractic and physical therapy. Williams, who joined their Cedar City team at the beginning of this year, draws upon his varied medical background to better serve local patients.  

“I can quickly diagnose what needs to be addressed and what options are best for helping that patient, leading to better outcomes,” he said. “Being able to suss out those conditions and knowing the proper resources is, I think, an art in and of itself.” 

Williams grew up in Ephraim, Utah. His parents both served as volunteer paramedics for over 20 years, and he knew from an early age that his future career would involve helping others. His interest in chiropractic medicine started in the eighth grade, when a local practitioner helped him find relief from a sports-related back injury. He continued seeing a chiropractor through high school.  

Williams started working as an EMT at age 20. On his first call, he responded to a serious motorcycle accident involving his best friend. The experience further inspired him to pursue medicine, albeit in a field where he wouldn’t witness trauma. 

After graduating from Southern Utah University, chiropractic school took him to St. Louis, Missouri, where he obtained a doctor of chiropractic degree from the Logan College of Chiropractic and a master’s degree in sports science and rehabilitation from Logan University. He returned to Iron County and established his own clinic, Cedar City Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, on the south end of town. 

During his six years in private practice, Williams worked with patients ranging from very young children to people in their 90s. He also leveraged his background in sports medicine to better serve the community’s athletes, including a tenure as the official chiropractor for SUU Athletics. 

Seeking to challenge himself in new ways, he sold the practice in 2018 and enrolled in the University of Utah’s physician assistant program. His first job after graduating was at the hospital in St. George, but he quickly realized that working with surgical and trauma patients wasn’t the right fit. 

“I didn’t have any follow-up with patients,” he said. “I like pain management because I can establish those relationships. It’s been great to get to know people in the community and hear their stories.” 

Williams now lives in Enoch with his wife, Tina, and their four children. He is a fan of the SUU Thunderbirds, catching games whenever he has a chance. He also enjoys spending time outdoors and coaching his kids’ sports teams. 

His journey to becoming a pain management specialist may have taken a few detours, but Williams said he’s grateful for all the experiences that have served to make him a better practitioner. 

Pain affects millions of Americans on a daily basis. While some people find relief with minimal intervention, seeking pain management therapies is necessary in many cases. 

Desert Pain frequently works hand-in-hand with chiropractic and physical therapy providers to reduce patients’ pain levels so they can experience better results. Williams said the goal of interventional pain management is to keep patients out of the operating room for as long as possible, which is a win for everyone.

As a chiropractor, Williams typically considered surgery as the next step for patients with chronic pain that didn’t respond to conservative care. Over the course of his medical career, he said he has come to realize the invaluable role that pain management providers play in improving patient outcomes.  

“Pain management helps people live life to their fullest,” he said. “I feel very blessed to be part of this practice and to help people with their pain management.” 

Desert Pain CEO Chase Morrison said he’s excited to have Williams at the Cedar City clinic. Having previously owned a chiropractic office, he’s adept at navigating the consumerism of the health care industry to focus on patient outcomes. 

“He’s in health care for the right reasons.”

As Southern Utah’s premier interventional pain management team, Desert Pain practices evidence-based, forward-thinking medicine that integrates the newest available treatments. They address all types of chronic and acute pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain, sciatica, neuropathy, migraines and sports injuries.

Call 435-216-7000 or visit the Desert Pain website to schedule an appointment today.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

• Desert Pain Specialists | Telephone: 435-216-7000 | Email: [email protected] | Website.
• Locations:
  • St. George: 617 E. Riverside Drive, Suite 301.
  • Hurricane: 48 S. 2500 West, Suite 110.
  • Cedar City: 1760 N. Main St.
  • Beaver: 68 N. Main St.
  • Panguitch: 200 N. 400 East.
  • Kanab: 348 N. Highway 89.
  • Mesquite, Nevada: 340 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Suite 600.
  • Overton, Nevada: 475 N. Moapa Valley Blvd.

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