What Is a Physiatrist

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

What is a doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)? What does a physiatrist do and what conditions do they treat? Our department of physiatry at Washington Township Medical Foundation provides treatment for patients experiencing conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system.

Physiatrists treat patients with conditions that affect the:

• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Bones
• Nerves
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Joints
• Tendons

Some physiatrists specialize in various sub-specialties such as spinal cord medicine, sports medicine, brain injury medicine, and pediatric rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat patients of both genders and every age, and focus on functionality. Their wide-ranging experience and ability enable them to diagnose and assess a wide range of injuries and conditions that cause disability.

Focused on Whole Patient Care

Physiatrists work to develop unique treatment plans based on the needs of patients. PM&R doctors can be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes primary care physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, internists, neurologists, and others. They may also lead a team that includes physician extenders and physical therapists and / or occupational therapists. Physiatrists work to treat their patients as a whole, rather than simply focusing on one problem area.

Treatments Physiatrists Use

PM&R physicians may use a wide-range of treatments to help their patients, including but not limited to the following:

• Fluoroscopy guided procedures
• Spine injections
• Ultrasound guided procedures
• Nerve conduction
• Joint injections
• Prolotherapy
• Discography, vertebroplasy / kyphoplasty, and disc decompression
• Treatments for spasticity
• Nerve blocks, nerve stimulators, and ablation
• Prosthetics / orthotics
• Manual medicine / osteopathic care
• Nerve biopsy / muscle biopsy
• Assessing impairment / disability
• Medicolegal consultations

Our team at Washington Township Medical Foundation is committed to a model of whole-patient, integrated care. We work to develop unique plans centered on our patient’s individual needs. Schedule an appointment with a Fremont physiatrist from our team.