What is a Physiatrist (Physical Medicine & Rehabiliation)

Physiatrist are physicians specializing in non-surgical management and treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal and neuromusclual system. The specialty serves all age groups and treats problems that touch upon all systems of the body. They see people with arthritis, tendonitis, all types of back pain, work and sports-related injuries, as well as numerous other injuries and disease symptoms including: Electrodiagnosic studies (EMG/NCS) to evaluate disorders of the muscles and nerves Epidural injections, trigger point injections, joint and soft tissue injections an other types of therapeutic pain management injections Non-surgical arthritis care Acupuncture Treatment of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke Independent Medical Evaluations Disability Determinations Determination of conservative vs. surgical treatment plan Physiatrist have graduated from a four-year college program, followed by a four-year medical school program. After earning and being awared a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree, they then go on to postgraduate residency programs for four years. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the national medical society representing physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation American Association of Electrodianostic Medicine The primary goal of the AAEM is to serve physicians who diagnose and treat their patients disorders of muscle and nerve, extend the knowlegde of electrodiagnostic medicine and imrove the quality of patient care Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation PASSOR is an official musculoskeletal council of the Americal Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that represents the special needs of the musculoskeletal medical practitioner