Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the nerves, muscles and bones within the body. This includes a wide range of injuries and illnesses that affect the way we move our bodies and can significantly affect our everyday lives. Treating these conditions is often a long-term process that requires gradually restoring strength, flexibility and functionality to the affected area so that patients can partake in their everyday activities with little to no restrictions.
Our experienced physical medicine specialists provide specialized treatment approaches for patients suffering from:
- Arthritis
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Brain injuries
Other conditions may also be helped by our multidisciplinary approach, including a wide range of physical, psychological, cognitive or communication problems. A meeting with one of our physicians can help determine whether or not physical medicine and rehabilitative care can help your individual condition.
Personalized Rehabilitation Plan
In order to fully customize treatment, working with one of our physical medicine specialists begins with a thorough evaluation of your condition, as well as a one-on-one discussion of your personal goals and preferences for treatment. Diagnosis usually involves a review of the patient’s medical history, a physical exam, and imaging procedures performed to precisely target the location of the injury.
Additional procedures, such as electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies and evoked potential exams may also be performed to determine the specific cause of pain, weakness and numbness.
Treatment Options
A customized treatment plan developed by one of our specialists often involves a combination of nonsurgical approaches designed to help relieve pain and restore strength and functionality to the affected area without the need for more invasive procedures.
Some of the treatment approaches we offer include:
Nutrition Counseling – A balanced diet is essential to maintaining a healthy life and preventing diseases such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, among others. Patients of all ages can benefit from following dietary guidelines that provide sufficient nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which can be different for each person. Our nutritional counseling services involve a customized diet plan that takes into account each patient’s nutritional goals, preferences, overall health and medical history.
Physical Therapy – Physical therapists (PTs) help patients recover through the use of restorative exercises that focus on developing muscle strength, flexibility, balance, posture, coordination and overall pain relief. PTs do their best to promote overall health and fitness to their clients both to aid in the patient’s recovery, and also to prevent re-injury and maximize the patient’s quality of life.
Occupational Therapy – Occupational therapists assist individuals with mental, emotional, physical or developmental disabilities in carrying out day-to-day tasks. They provide disabled individuals with customized techniques for eating, cooking, dressing, using the computer, and other activities. Occupational therapy provides disabled individuals with adaptive techniques, enabling them to lead happy, independent lives.
The frequency and duration of treatments will vary depending on each patient’s individual condition. Our doctors will work with patients on an ongoing basis, performing timely evaluations, in order to achieve the most effective results and meet each patient’s individual needs.
