What is a Physiatrist?

Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians,
are medical doctors who are:

• Experts at diagnosing and treating pain

• Restore maximum function lost through injury,
  illness or disabling conditions

• Treat the whole person, not just the problem area

• Lead a team of medical professionals

• Provide non-surgical treatments

• Explain your medical problems and treatment plan

• Work not only on treatment but also prevention

Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. Rehabilitation physicians have completed training in the medical specialty physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).

Rehabilitation physicians treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. Their goal is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery. Rehabilitation physicians take the time needed to accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment. They then design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of the rehabilitation physician’s medical team. This medical team might include other physicians and health professionals, such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, rehabilitation physicians help patients stay as active as possible at any age. Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.

Why Visit a Rehabilitation Physician?

Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. By taking the whole body into account, they are able to accurately pinpoint problems and enhance performance without surgery. Consider seeing a rehabilitation physician if

• You had an accident or you have an injury or chronic condition that has left you with pain or limited function

• You’re contemplating or recovering from surgery

• You have an illness or treatment for an illness that has diminished your energy or ability to move easily

• You’re recovering from the effects of a stroke or other problems related to nerve damage

• You have chronic pain from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or back problems

• Excess weight makes it difficult to exercise or has caused health problems

• You think you’re too old to exercise

• Life changes such as childbirth or menopause have created new challenges to your physical function

Source:  American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found at our web site: PainCareMD.com.  In addition, we have created links at our web site to help you find the most useful information over the Internet .

In addition, we have created a blog:  PainCareBlog.com.  "Pain Care blog strives to provide the most pertinent, useful and current information on pain management to the public. As health care information becomes more voluminous over the Internet, it is important for those who seek answers to evaluate their information sources carefully. PainCare screens for information from both medical literature and news releases from around the world."

Contact us at:       PainCare Medical Group

                             15701 Rockfield Blvd.

                              Irvine, California 92618

                              Tel: (949) 457-9900

                              Fax: (949) 457-9922