Physiatry

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, also known as physiatrists, treat various medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

PM&R physicians are medical doctors who have completed training in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), and may be subspecialty certified in Brain Injury Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and/or Sports Medicine. Specifically, PM&R physicians

• Treat patients of all ages.
• Focus treatment on function.
• Have broad medical expertise that allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.
• Diagnose and treat pain due to an injury, illness, or disabling condition.
• Determine and lead a treatment/prevention plan.
• To optimize patient care, lead a team of medical professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician extenders.
• Work with other physicians, including primary care physicians, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, etc.
• Treat the whole person, not just the problem area.
  Depending on the injury, illness, or disabling condition, some PM&R physicians may treat their patients using the following procedures/services:
• EMG/Nerve Conduction Studies
• Ultrasound-guided procedures
• Fluoroscopy-guided procedures
• Injections of the spine
• Discography, Disc Decompression, and Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
• Nerve Stimulators, Blocks, and Ablation procedures—Peripheral and Spinal
• Injections into joints
• Prolotherapy
• Spasticity Treatment (Phenol and Botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal baclofen pump trial, and implants)
• Nerve and Muscle Biopsy
• Manual Medicine/Osteopathic Treatment
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Disability/impairment assessment
• Medicolegal consulting