Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a branch of medicine focused on improving a person’s physical function and treating chronic pain. The physiatrist uses various methods such as analgesic medications, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and others to treat patients.

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. It limits daily activities and contributes to increased depression and anxiety. Untreated chronic pain also raises the likelihood of additional health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and reduced mobility. Specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatrists or PM&R physicians (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians), diagnose the causes of chronic pain and develop comprehensive treatment plans. These physicians have broad medical expertise to help patients with a wide range of pain conditions, which can occur at any age.

What Is Physical Medicine?

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist (PM&R) is also known as a physiatrist or rehabilitation physician. These specialists aim to strengthen and restore functional ability and quality of life for individuals with physical disorders or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Unlike other medical specialties that focus on medical treatment, the goals of the physiatrist are to maximize the patient’s independence in daily activities and to improve quality of life.

Physical medicine specialists are experts in designing comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans and are integral members of the care team. They use both advanced and well-established treatments to maximize the function and quality of life of their patients, who may range in age from infancy to old age.

The physiatrist focuses on strengthening functional ability and improving quality of life for patients with physical disorders or motor disabilities.

Is Physical Medicine the Same as Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is the process of helping a person achieve the highest possible level of function, independence, and quality of life. Rehabilitation means enabling. Physical medicine and rehabilitation complement each other and together form a single discipline. It is sometimes referred to as rehabilitation medicine. In practice, physical medicine and rehabilitation is one specialty, commonly abbreviated as physical medicine.

Conditions Seen by the Physiatrist

PM&R physicians treat conditions caused by injury, illness, or chronic conditions. The most common areas of treatment include:

• Medical rehabilitation
• Treatment of neuromuscular pain
• Musculoskeletal medicine
• Treatment of central nervous system disorders
• Pediatric rehabilitation

According to WebMD, these specialists can diagnose and treat medical issues related to disabilities, including:

• Cognitive problems
• Orthopedic issues
• Mobility concerns (movement of limbs, ambulation)
• Bowel and bladder problems
• Disorders affecting gait
• Difficulty feeding and swallowing
• Difficulty communicating with others
• Pain
• Muscle stiffness or weak muscle tone (hypotonia or reduced muscle strength)

You may also consult a physical medicine specialist in the following situations:

• You require rehabilitation following an injury, illness, or surgery
• You suffer from chronic pain
• Obesity or aging has made physical activity more difficult

Patients consult a physical medicine specialist for treatment of mobility problems, orthopedic issues, chronic pain, mobility limitations due to aging or obesity, muscular pain, and similar concerns.

Location: Salamat Building of Behboud Hospital, Floor 3.