What is Physiatry?
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, physiatry (fizz ee at'tre), is one of the medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The Physiatrist is the physician who specializes in this field that is non-surgical. He has four years of formal training after medical school and some practitioners have sub specialized training on areas of interest.
In addition to the traditional medical model, the Physiatrist is trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of functional disabilities. They prescribe and continuously evaluate and monitor the rehabilitation needs of the patient, coordinating the services of the rehabilitation team with the overall management of the patient with the referring physician.
Physiatrists not only treat patients with medications, but also with physical modalities such as heat, cold, electro therapies, light, therapeutic exercises, traction, massage, manipulation and local injections. The Physiatrist is trained in the proper prescription of artificial limbs, braces, footwear, wheelchairs and other adaptive devices.
In order to supplement the standard history and physical examination when evaluating neuromuscular function, the Physiatrist may elect to perform an electrodiagnostic medicine study. This includes special tests such as electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and evoked potentials (EP).
The goal of the Physiatrist is to maximize the patients' functional abilities and minimize the psychological, social and vocational effects of disability, thus complementing the care delivered by other physicians and health care practitioners.
