General Physiatry

What is General Physiatry ?

Physiatry, also known as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), is a medical specialty that focuses on physical treatment of disorders affecting the musculoskeletal structures of the body. These disorders can range widely in type and severity from sports or repetitive stress injuries to chronic conditions like arthritis and physical side effects of neurological disorders. Physiatrists may work with a team of other specialists such as primary care doctors and physical therapists to help patients overcome pain, injury, and dysfunction. Physiatrists do not perform surgery and try to find non-operative treatment options whenever possible.

How do you prepare for General Physiatry ?

During your first appointment with a physiatrist, you should be prepared to answer questions about your medical history, your pain symptoms, and your goals and expectations from physical medicine and rehabilitation. If you suffer from chronic pain, keeping a pain diary can help with diagnosing your specific issue and creating an effective treatment plan.

Why is General Physiatry performed?

The focus of physical medicine and rehabilitation is on reducing pain and improving function to give patients the best possible quality of life. The goal of a physiatrist is to find an integrative, personalized approach to pain treatment that does not depend on invasive surgery or narcotic painkillers.

What can you expect during General Physiatry ?

Like any doctor visit, your first appointment with a physiatrist will be focused on assessing the current state of your health. A physical exam will be performed, as well as any necessary imaging tests such as x-rays or MRIs. You and your physiatrist will go over your symptoms together and also discuss your goals, hopes, and concerns for treatment. In this first session, your physiatrist will begin helping you craft a pain treatment plan.

What is the followup and recovery like for General Physiatry ?

You will have follow-up appointments with your physiatrist to gauge your progress, assess the efficacy of treatment, and make necessary tweaks and adjustments. Keeping a pain diary throughout the process is a good way to track your symptoms, what works for you, and what doesn’t. Your physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor may also refer you to other specialists for a broad range of pain treatments.

What are the potential risks for General Physiatry ?

Physiatrists focus on finding approaches to pain management that are non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical in order to minimize the risk of harmful side effects. Some methods of pain treatment may not be effective, but even in cases where chronic pain can not be resolved you are likely to gain new coping strategies and an improved understanding of your pain symptoms through visiting a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor.