What is Physiatry?
Physiatry, pronounced fizzy-at’-tree, is a form of rehabilitative medicine. It is implemented to achieve better physical health and healing without surgery, through practices including various physical therapies, medications and other non-invasive methods. It is a specialty also known as “PM&R,” which stands for physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatry has been in use for several decades but was not recognized as a medical specialization until as late as 1947. Physiatry is practiced with patients suffering from disabilities caused by illness, injury or birth defect, which includes but is not limited to severe burns, spinal cord damage, head trauma, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, work and sports related injuries and war wounds. Physiatry employs medication, as well as orthotics and other non-invasive options. These options include physical therapy, exercise therapy, heat, cold or water therapy, muscle and nerve stimulation and a host of other options. The goal is to offer each
Physiatry – also called physical medicine and rehabilitation – is a branch of medicine that specializes in diagnosis, treatment and management of disease primarily using “physical” means (such as physical therapy and medications). Essentially, physiatrists specialize in a wide variety of conservative treatments for the musculoskeletal system (the muscles and bones) and do not perform surgery.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation involves the management of disorders that alter the function and performance of the patient. The goal of the physiatrist is to provide medical care to patients with pain, weakness, numbness, and loss of function so that they can maximize their physical, psychological, social, and vocational potential. Emphasis is placed on the optimization of function through the combined use of medications, physical modalities, and experimental training approaches. Common conditions that are treated by physiatrists include amputation, spinal cord injury, sports injury, stroke, traumatic brain injuries and musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as neck and low back pain, fibromyalgia and repetitive motion disorders.
Physiatry is a branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats disorders causing temporary or permanent impairment. A physiatrist (fizz ee at’ trist) is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, focusing on restoring function. They see patients in all age groups and treat problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body. They care for patients with acute and chronic pain; patients with musculoskeletal problems like back and neck pain, tendonitis, pinched nerves and fibromyalgia; patients who have experienced catastrophic events resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or traumatic brain injury; and individuals who have had strokes, orthopedic injuries, or neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, polio, or ALS. Physiatrists also treat serious disorders of the musculoskeletal system that result in severe functional limitations. Physiatrists practice in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and in private offices. They often have broad practices, but some
