Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

is concerned with evaluating and treating patients with short or long-term physical and/or cognitive impairments and disability that result from musculoskeletal conditions (such as neck or back pain, or sports or work injuries), neurological conditions (such as stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury), or medical conditions. Physicians have expertise in therapeutic exercise, medications, and injections for management of pain and spasticity, electrodiagnosis, prostheses (artificial limbs), orthoses (braces), and other equipment to assist daily activities, and coordinate treatment to help patients improve their physical, psychological, social, and vocational function.

Specialty training required prior to Board Certification – Four years plus one year clinical practice.

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Subspecialties:

To become certified in a particular subspecialty, a physician must be Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and complete additional training as specified by the Member Board.

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Brain Injury Medicine

Brain Injury Medicine is a subspecialty focused on the prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain injury.

These physicians provide a high level of care for patients with brain injury and their families in hospital and post-acute settings, and over the continuum of care to facilitate the process of recovery and improve medical and functional outcomes.

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Hospice and Palliative Medicine

These Physiatrists have special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses.

This specialist works with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to maximize quality of life while addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patient and family.

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Neuromuscular Medicine

A Physiatrist, Neurologist or Child Neurologist who focuses on the evaluation and treatment of disorders of nerve, muscle or neuromuscular junction, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), peripheral neuropathies (e.g. diabetic), various muscular dystrophies, congenital and acquired myopathies, inflammatory myopathies (e.g. polymyositis) and neuromuscular transmission disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis).

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Pain Medicine

A physician who specializes in Pain Medicine diagnoses and treats patients experiencing problems with acute, chronic and/or cancer pain in both hospital and outpatient settings and coordinates patient care needs with other specialists.

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Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine is the subspecialty concerned with diagnosis and management of congenital and childhood-onset impairments and disability, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, acquired brain or spinal cord injury, amputation, sports injuries, and muscle and nerve diseases.

Physicians prescribe equipment and therapies and manage medical conditions such as spasticity, pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and nutrition. Physicians work with an interdisciplinary team to improve a child’s mobility and daily function at home, in the community, and at school.

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Spinal Cord Injury Medicine

Spinal Cord Injury Medicine is the subspecialty concerned with the evaluation and management of patients with spinal cord injuries caused by trauma or from medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain Barré syndrome, arthritis, infection, transverse myelitis, cancer, and spina bifida.

Physicians work with an interdisciplinary team and prescribe equipment and therapies to enhance mobility and self care skills, manage medical conditions such as pressure ulcers, pain, spasticity, bladder and bowel dysfunction, respiratory health, and mood disorders, and work to help patients return to their community and vocation.

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Sports Medicine

A Physiatrist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries related to participating in sports and/or exercise.

In addition to the study of those fields that focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of injuries, sports medicine also deals with illnesses and diseases that might have effects on health and physical performance.