Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Overview
Physiatry, also called physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), is a medical specialty that primarily uses physical means to help in diagnosis, healing, and rehabilitation. Physiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic illness (e.g., stroke) or injury (e.g., spinal cord, brain), acute and chronic pain, and musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., sports-, work-related). Many physiatrists specialize in the treatment of back pain.
What is physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)?
Physiatrists treat the whole person. They address the patient’s physical, emotional, and social needs during rehabilitation. Physiatrists direct the rehabilitation team that may include physical or occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, athletic trainers, and more.
PM&R doctors work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
How can PM&R help me?
PM&R can help patients with chronic disease, pain, or disabilities toward optimal function, thus improving recovery and quality of life. Physiatrists diagnose and treat problems of the musculoskeletal system, including back and neck pain, spinal cord injury, and other conditions.
With the use of physical agents and therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation can help patients in the following ways to:
PM&R treatment may include any combination of the following: medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage, exercise, epidural steroid injections, and more.
In coordination with the rehabilitation team, the goal is to improve function in your daily activities. Your progress is carefully tracked until your symptoms have resolved or stabilized. In some cases, symptoms progress, indicating surgery may be needed. If so, your PM&R doctor will refer you to a Mayfield neurosurgeon for further evaluation.
What special training does a PM&R doctor have?
A PM&R doctor completes 4 years of medical school and at least 4 more years of residency training in this field. They are then board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Sources & links
If you have more questions, please contact the Mayfield Clinic at 800-325-7787 or 513-221-1100 or email us at Comments@MayfieldClinic.com
Overview
Physiatry, also called physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), is a medical specialty that primarily uses physical means to help in diagnosis, healing, and rehabilitation. Physiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic illness (e.g., stroke) or injury (e.g., spinal cord, brain), acute and chronic pain, and musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., sports-, work-related). Many physiatrists specialize in the treatment of back pain.
What is physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)?
Physiatrists treat the whole person. They address the patient’s physical, emotional, and social needs during rehabilitation. Physiatrists direct the rehabilitation team that may include physical or occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, athletic trainers, and more.
PM&R doctors work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
How can PM&R help me?
PM&R can help patients with chronic disease, pain, or disabilities toward optimal function, thus improving recovery and quality of life. Physiatrists diagnose and treat problems of the musculoskeletal system, including back and neck pain, spinal cord injury, and other conditions.
With the use of physical agents and therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation can help patients in the following ways to:
- reduce pain
- improve quality of life for those with temporary or severe impairment
- learn how to use assistive devices (e.g., braces, wheelchairs, etc.)
PM&R treatment may include any combination of the following: medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage, exercise, epidural steroid injections, and more.
In coordination with the rehabilitation team, the goal is to improve function in your daily activities. Your progress is carefully tracked until your symptoms have resolved or stabilized. In some cases, symptoms progress, indicating surgery may be needed. If so, your PM&R doctor will refer you to a Mayfield neurosurgeon for further evaluation.
What special training does a PM&R doctor have?
A PM&R doctor completes 4 years of medical school and at least 4 more years of residency training in this field. They are then board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Sources & links
If you have more questions, please contact the Mayfield Clinic at 800-325-7787 or 513-221-1100 or email us at Comments@MayfieldClinic.com
Mayfield services
We strive to manage patients as conservatively as possible. Nearly 80% of our spine patients are able to recover with nonsurgical treatment.At Mayfield, patients who come to us with neck and back problems are given a rapid review of their medical condition within a few days ... not weeks. It's a treatment process called Priority Consult.
Mayfield has 6 physiatrists who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation of the spine. They perform EMG testing of your muscles and nerves, physical therapy, and various spinal injections.
To make an appointment call 513-221-1100.
Email us at: comments@mayfieldclinic.com
