Physical medicine and rehabilitation FAQs

Physiatry, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation, is a branch of medicine that is dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of all types of disabilities, chronic pain, and physical impairments. We treat mobility conditions related to the brain, nerves, bones, and muscles. Physiatrists work closely with other types of clinicians with a goal of helping you live a more functional, pain-free life.

We focus on how your medical condition affects every aspect of your life, including at home and at work. Our doctors combine movement, pain treatments, and procedures to maximize your physical functioning, greatly decrease or eliminate pain, foster independence, and improve your quality of life. Whenever possible, we work to help you avoid surgery, but if it’s needed, we’ll coordinate your care with our surgical specialists.

A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists are fully trained medical doctors who undergo four years of post-graduate and fellowship training in physical medicine and rehabilitation through an accredited internship and residency training program. Through this training, our doctors are able to bring a broad knowledge of medicine, biomechanics, musculoskeletal function, anatomy, and an understanding of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders to your care.

Physiatrists are medical doctors who have gone through medical school and have completed training in the specialty field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. They diagnose illnesses, design treatment protocols, can prescribe medications, and perform procedures. PM&R doctors also design exercise programs tailored to your needs and prescribe treatment regimens. A physical therapist is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medications but supervises and institutes exercise programs aimed at ameliorating symptoms and improving function. Physical therapists work collaboratively with physiatrists to create and carry out treatments.

Many people come to a physiatrist with a referral from their primary care physician. During your first visit with us, we’ll give you a physical exam, take your medical history, and talk to you about your symptoms. We’ll review any test results you have from your primary care doctor, and we may order additional diagnostic tests. Our providers also take the time to learn about your lifestyle and the goals you have for rehabilitation.

Then our physiatrists develop a personalized treatment plan to help restore your function, which may include medication, injections, procedures, or a referral to physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Your physiatrist might also coordinate with other experts during your care, like orthopaedic specialists or neurologists. You’ll schedule follow-up visits as needed so that we can monitor your progress.

In addition to the usual diagnostic tools used by physicians (physical examinations, imaging studies, and medical history), physiatrists also use specialized techniques to provide a precise diagnosis. We may rely on electrodiagnostic evaluations, nerve conduction studies, and other tests to diagnose conditions that cause pain and weakness. Our physiatrists collaborate closely with primary care physicians, occupational medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and other specialists to provide seamless care.

Physiatrists may recommend a combination of diagnostic tests and treatments. Some are performed in our office, while others are provided by experts who collaborate with our physiatrists:

• Therapeutic exercise
• Prosthetics/orthotics
• Pain medications
• EMG (electromyography)
• NCS (nerve conduction studies)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Soft tissue injections
• Joint injections
• Spine injections
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Interventional spinal therapeutics
• Spasticity management, including cryoneurolysis

Physiatrists diagnose and treat a variety of disorders. Common conditions include:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Stroke
• Brain injuries
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Sports injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Herniated disc disorders
• Pinched nerve in the neck or back
• Sciatica
• Fibromyalgia
• Work injuries
• Amputation
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Cancer rehabilitation
• Pelvic floor disorders

You may be recommended to see a physiatrist if:

• You have experienced an injury that causes pain or impedes physical functioning.
• You have an illness, disability, or limited physical functioning and pain from receiving medical treatment.
• You are experiencing chronic back pain, neck pain, pain from a repetitive stress injury, or chronic pain from arthritis.
• You have experienced a stroke or other nerve damage that limits physical functioning.
• You are recovering from surgery.
• You are contemplating surgery to diminish chronic pain.

Physiatrists treat people of all ages, including children.