What is a Physiatrist?

A Physiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the area of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). PM&R is the field of medicine that is primarily involved in improving the functional ability and quality of life of people with congenital or acquired disabilities. A Physiatrist not only manages the rehabilitation of people with strokes, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and other severely disabling conditions, he/she also is involved in taking care of individuals with work injuries, sports injuries, amputations, or chronic pain.

A Physiatrist also performs EMGs and nerve conduction studies to evaluate people for problems with their muscles and nerves. In addition to utilizing traditional medical treatments, Physiatrists work closely with other rehabilitation professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses, psychologists, and social workers to provide the most comprehensive, quality care possible.