Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
What is a physiatrist?
A physiatrist (also known as a rehabilitation physician) is a medical doctor who is a muscle, nerve and bone expert. In order to be a physiatrist, one must graduate from medical school followed by four additional years of post-doctoral training in the medical specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
What is the goal of a physiatrist or rehabilitation physician?
The goal of a physiatrist is to decrease pain and restore maximum performance lost through injury or illness without surgery. A physiatrist aims to treat the whole person and not just the problem area and focuses on prevention.
How does a physiatrist diagnose conditions that cause pain, numbness or weakness?
A physiatrist will accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment and thoroughly assess your condition, needs and expectations using diagnostic tools that other physicians rely on as well, such as your medical history, a physical examination and imaging studies.
What happens after the diagnosis takes place?
The physiatrist will custom tailor a treatment plan that may consist of medications, injections, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. This treatment plan can be carried out by the patient themselves or with the assistance of a medical team.
Who is part of this medical team?
The medical team that will assist with your custom treatment plan may include other medical professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, urologists and psychiatrists, as well as non-physician health professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech pathologists.
Who can benefit from physiatry?
Anyone can benefit from physiatry. A physiatrist’s broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime. By providing a custom and appropriate treatment plan, physiatrists help patients stay as active as possible, regardless of the stage of life or age of the patient.
A physiatrist (also known as a rehabilitation physician) is a medical doctor who is a muscle, nerve and bone expert. In order to be a physiatrist, one must graduate from medical school followed by four additional years of post-doctoral training in the medical specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
What is the goal of a physiatrist or rehabilitation physician?
The goal of a physiatrist is to decrease pain and restore maximum performance lost through injury or illness without surgery. A physiatrist aims to treat the whole person and not just the problem area and focuses on prevention.
How does a physiatrist diagnose conditions that cause pain, numbness or weakness?
A physiatrist will accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment and thoroughly assess your condition, needs and expectations using diagnostic tools that other physicians rely on as well, such as your medical history, a physical examination and imaging studies.
What happens after the diagnosis takes place?
The physiatrist will custom tailor a treatment plan that may consist of medications, injections, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. This treatment plan can be carried out by the patient themselves or with the assistance of a medical team.
Who is part of this medical team?
The medical team that will assist with your custom treatment plan may include other medical professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, urologists and psychiatrists, as well as non-physician health professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech pathologists.
Who can benefit from physiatry?
Anyone can benefit from physiatry. A physiatrist’s broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime. By providing a custom and appropriate treatment plan, physiatrists help patients stay as active as possible, regardless of the stage of life or age of the patient.