 A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat a wide 
range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The focus of the specialty is on
restoring function to people. Physiatrists treat acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders.
Physiatrists offer a broad spectrum of medical services. They do not perform surgery, but may instead
prescribe drugs or assistive devices such as a brace or artificial limb. They also use diverse therapies such as heat
and cold, electrotherapies, massage, biofeedback, traction and therapeutic exercise.
The Physiatry FAQ What types of problems does physiatry treat? Phyisatrists treat a wide rang of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. They may see a person who lifts a heavy object at work and experiences back pain, a basketball player who sprains an ankle and needs rehabilitation to play again, or a knitter who has carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiatrists' patients include people with arthritis, tendonitis, any kind of back pain, and work and sports related injuries. What kind of difference can seeing a physiatrist make? Since it is the concern of the physiatrist to restore patients to maximum function, the difference they make is dramatic. In many cases, the physiatrist not only takes car of the acute problem (like from a broken hip or herniated disc), but also treats the patient until he returns to optimal functioning, usually without surgery. The physiatrist will also teach the patient how to prevent the injury in the future. |
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