Understanding Physiatry:
Physiatry is an integrative, nonsurgical medical specialty focused on prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and therapy for patients who have functional limitations resulting from injury, disease, or malformation. Our physicians are muscle, nerve and bone experts who focus treatment efforts on restoring physical function. A physiatrist leads a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals to treat the whole person not just the affected area of the body. Our doctors also have different subspecialties in Sports Medicine, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine and Pain Medicine to address unique needs of their patients.
Our faculty are trained to understand the kinetic chain, motion along the musculoskeletal system and factors that affect that motion. As such, we are involved in the care of children and adults along the spectrum of physical needs, ranging from athletes with sports injuries to individuals with long-term management needs after amputation, traumatic injury, chronic back pain, stroke, spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury. Depending on the condition or level of disability, a variety of services and procedures are used to enhance physical ability:
1. Exercise & Therapy
2. Bracing, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Assistive Devices
3. Imaging & Ultrasound
4. Peripheral Joint and Soft Tissue Injections
5. Comprehensive Spasticity Management
6. Gait, Movement Analysis and Human Performance
7. Interventional Spine Therapeutics
8. Additional Treatments and Complementary Medicine
9. Electromyogram (EMG)
10. Medications
Source: UF Website
What does a Physiatrist do?
A general Physiatrist, also known as rehabilitation medicine specialist, dedicates efforts to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all types of disabilities related to the brain, nerves, bones and muscles. Our Physiatrists use a multi-faceted, team-based approach to care that focuses on a patient’s medical condition from every aspect of their life, including their role in the workplace, home and everyday activities. These doctors are often the first stop for orthopedic issues.
General physiatry combines physical therapy and pain treatments to help patients avoid surgery. Clinical goals of physiatry include maximizing physical function, decrease or eliminate pain, facilitate independence, and improve the quality of life for those suffering with a disability, chronic pain and physical impairments. The types of disabilities that are seen range from simple to complex. Examples include muscle dystrophies, amputations, palsy conditions and orthopedic trauma recovery.
Source: UF Website
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