Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also called physiatry, is the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders that may produce temporary or permanent impairment.

Physiatry provides integrated care in the treatment of all neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities. The specialty focuses on the restoration of function to people with problems ranging from simple physical mobility issues to those with complex cognitive involvement.

The physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation is called a physiatrist. A physiatrist treats patients in all age groups and treats problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body. These specialists focus on restoring function to people.

Physiatrists practice in major rehabilitation centers, acute care hospitals, and outpatient settings. Their approach to patients requires listening and observing, but also employs the latest technological support to assist in the healing process. Physiatrists coordinate the long-term rehabilitation programs for patients with:

• spinal cord injuries
• cancer
• stroke
• other neurological disorders, brain injuries, amputations and multiple sclerosis