WHAT IS A PHYSIATRIST?
(pronounced
)
Physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are called "physiatrists".
Physiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients of all ages in three major areas of medical care.
1. Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and pain syndromes
These include sports and/or work injuries to degenerative conditions as common as arthritis or low back pain.
2. Electro Diagnostic medicine
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is the only specialty of medicine in which special training in electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies is required. These procedures are used for evaluation of various neurologic disorders.
3. Rehabilitation of patients with severe impairments
The physiatrist directs a comprehensive rehabilitation team of professionals that may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, psychologists, social workers, speech-language pathologists and others. Physiatrists treat neurologic rehabilitation conditions including stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Many other disabling conditions such as amputations, multiple trauma, burns and sports injuries are treated as well.
