Merle Janes, M.D.

 Dr. Merle Janes specializes in rehabilitative and anti-pain medicine at the Tahoma Clinic. Dr. Janes uses a technique called “Prolotherapy” along with trigger point injections to reduce pain in structures of the skeleton, including the surrounding ligaments and muscles. This treatment is effective for pain or weakness of the neck, back , knees, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and any other joint, and the supporting muscle structure.

Dr. Janes performs further evaluation using an electronic device called “EMG” if the source of pain is suspected to be the result of nerve damage. Dr. Janes also treats patients with breathing disorders associated with rib joints and rib muscle structure, as well as patients with “Thoracic Outlet Syndrome”. Advanced diagnostic equipment is used to evaluate patients.

Dr. Janes completed his undergraduate work at the University of California, graduating in 1971. Thereafter, he attended medical school at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico, graduating in 1978. Dr. Janes performed postgraduate training first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later in Madison, Wisconsin where he completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency in 1984. Dr. Janes is also bilingual, ( también, habla Español).

Dr. Janes has taught Prolotherapy to doctors from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Baharain, Italy, Central America, and Korea. He treated hundreds of patients in Honduras using this technique during three medical missions there since 1996. He is a member of the “Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy Society” and is a diplomat of the “American Academy of Pain Management”, as well as being board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Janes served as Medical Director to the inpatient rehabilitation program in Pocatello, Idaho for five years before moving to Spokane in 1989 where he became Medical Director of the Mustard Pain Clinic.

Dr. Janes' states that "getting rid of bodily pain goes a long way to making people happier and more productive in their lives."

For more information about which conditions are helped by Prolotherapy and to read more about it, please click on the links below:
Prolotherapy - Part 1 (73k PDF file)
Prolotherapy - Part 2 (88k PDF file)

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Janes to our clinic!

Appointments may be made with Dr. Janes at the Clinic by calling 425-264-0059.