Dr. Zeeshan Ahmad, M.D.

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Get to know Physiatrist Dr. Zeeshan Ahmad, who serves patients in Rockford, Illinois.

At OrthoIllinois in Rockford – Riverside Clinic, Dr. Ahmad brings years of clinical experience in the conservative treatment of spine pain utilizing physical therapy, medicine and injection techniques. It is his practice philosophy to help each patient return to their lifestyle goals through non-surgical treatments whenever possible. 

To reach this goal, Dr. Ahmad begins with a thorough patient history to help better understand the factors influencing the patient’s condition. This review of medical history is followed by a physical examination for further anatomical detection of the pain source.

His hospital affiliations include OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, UW Health Northern Illinois / SwedishAmerican Hospital, Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, and MercyHealth Javon Bea Hospital.

With his family immigrating to Pakistan from India, Dr. Ahmad’s father worked his way through college to earn a degree in engineering. From a very early age, his father stressed upon him the importance of education. 

Though his father was a strong influence in guiding him toward a medical career, it was his family physician who was the role model sparking the true inspiration and interest inside Dr. Ahmad to follow this path. He pursued his early training in Karachi, Pakistan where he earned his Undergraduate Degree at Dow Medical College. He then completed a first internship in internal medicine at Civil Hospital, and an additional internship in surgery at the Institute of Urology and Transplantation before moving to the United States to continue his studies.

Upon relocating, Dr. Ahmad completed a four-year residency program at Louisiana State University in New Orleans where he trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation. After completing his residency, he pursued further specialization through a three-year fellowship in orthopedics, spine, sports and musculoskeletal medicine with specific experience and training in interventional pain management at Portner Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Inc., in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and pain management, the doctor is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR). The mission of the ABPMR is to serve the public by improving the quality of patient care in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This is accomplished through a process of certification and maintenance of certification that fosters excellence and encourages continuous learning.

On a professional level, Dr. Ahmad is an active member of the  American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Medical Association, the North American Medical Association, the North American Spine Society, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry and physiatrics, is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. Physiatrists treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

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