physical medicine & rehabilitation
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is a medical specialty that focuses on maximizing the function and quality of life of patients with a variety of debilitating illnesses and injury. A medical physician who specializes in (PM&R), called a physiatrist, treats patients directly, or acts as director of their care, coordinating a health care team that may involve a number of other health professionals including physical, occupational and speech therapists, counselors and other professionals.
Who Benefits from Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
PM&R can help anyone who is suffering from an injury, symptom or disease that limits their day-to-day functioning. Some medical conditions that physiatrists treat include:
- low back pain,
- sports-related injuries,
- stroke,
- trauma recovery,
- cancer,
- neck pain,
- shoulder pain,
- foot problems,
- joint replacement recovery,
- tendonitis,
- brain injury,
- birth defects,
- spinal cord injury, and
- multiple sclerosis.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Treatment
PM&R does not include surgery or other invasive techniques. Rather, physiatrists use a number of non-invasive treatment options, which may include: therapeutic exercise, heat or cold therapy, biofeedback, electrotherapy and more. Physiatrists may prescribe medication and/or assistive devices, such as a brace or artificial limb.
Treatment for each patient is tailored to his or her needs and goals. The end goal of physical medicine and rehabilitation is to help the patient attain as much function and quality of life as possible. This may include learning how to walk independently after a debilitating stroke, reconditioning the body's muscles after cancer surgery or regaining the use and effective function of a hand that was injured in a car accident.
What to Expect
At the Oasis Center for Health, seeing one of our physiatrists is similar to any other doctor appointment. Besides taking your health history, the doctor will examine you to determine the cause of pain, numbness, weakness or limited function. Once a clear diagnosis is made, the physiatrist will discuss treatment options that will help you reach your goals. Therapy options, as noted above, are highly individualized and may include a team of health professionals whom the physiatrist leads in your care.
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