What is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry or rehabilitation medicine, is intended to increase and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. A physician having completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. Unlike other medical specialties that focus on a medical “cure,” the goals of the physiatrist are to maximize patients’ independence in activities of daily living and improve quality of life.

Physiatrists are experts in designing comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans, and are integral members of the care team. They utilize cutting-edge as well as time-tested treatments to maximize function and quality of life for their patients, who can range in age from infants to octogenarians.

PM&R physicians have a broad range of knowledge including musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatological and cardiovascular systems.

Some of the common diagnoses and populations seen by inpatient physiatrists include spinal cord injury, brain injury (traumatic and non-traumatic), stroke, multiple sclerosis, polio, burn care and musculoskeletal and pediatric rehabilitation.

Outpatient physiatrists manage nonsurgical conditions including Orthopedic injuries, spine-related pain and dysfunction, occupational injuries and overuse syndromes, neurogenic bowel/bladder, pressure sore management, spasticity management, and chronic pain. Outpatient physiatrists are typically found in multidisciplinary groups consisting of other physiatrists, Orthopedic surgeons and/or neurosurgeons.