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 as a result of an injury, illness, or disabling condition
Determine and lead a treatment/prevention plan
Lead a team of medical professionals, which may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician extenders to optimize patient care
Work with other physicians, which may include primary care physicians, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and many others
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 spine
Discography, Disc Decompression and Vertebroplasy/Kyphoplasty
Nerve Stimulators, Blocks and Ablation procedures—Peripheral and Spinal
Injections of 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
Complementary-alternative medicine (i.e. acupuncture, etc.)
Disability/impairment assessment
Medicolegal consulting