Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: Frequently Asked Questions

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R;), also called physiatry, is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders – particularly related to the nerves, muscles, and bones – that may produce temporary or permanent impairment. PM&R; is one of 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. PM&R; provides integrated care in the treatment of all conditions related to the brain, muscles, and bones, from traumatic brain injury to lower back pain.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R;) also called physiatry, is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders that may produce temporary or permanent impairment. PM&R; is one of the 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Physiatry provides integrated care in the treatment of all neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities. ...

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R;), also called physiatry, (pronounced fizz ee at´ tree or fizz eye´ uh tree) is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders –particularly those of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems – that may produce temporary or permanent impairment. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is one of the 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ...

It’s a branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders-especially musculoskeletal. The specialty focuses on the restoration of function to people mobility issues to complex ones.

www.aapmr.org/condtreat/faq.htm Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R;), also called physiatry, is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders – particularly related to the nerves, muscles, and bones – that may produce temporary or permanent impairment. PM&R; is one of 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ...

A spine-specialized physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, specializes in the nonsurgical management of back and neck pain. PM&R; treatment is characterized by comprehensive care that considers the whole person rather than addressing one or two symptoms. Many doctors provide drugs to mask pain symptom, but this can leave a patient debilitated and dependent upon the drugs. ...

Physicians are experts in the treatment of medical illness. However, to the patient, the impact of function -the ability to move, communicate, care for oneself, and work-is often just as important as the illness itself. Physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation know that the ability to function is the key to a good quality of life. These specialists, called physiatrists , are experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disabilities of all types. ...

The PM&R; field continues to grow. As our nation’s population continues to get older, demand for PM&R; services and specialists is at an all-time high. The field is moving in the direction of musculoskeletal medicine, and we are tailoring our program for these evolving demands to ensure each resident is prepared for a career in PM&R; medicine.

Physiatrists are physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors who help patients restore function in the major systems of the body. Physiatrists are certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. More about physical medicine and rehabilitation .

Yes. Residency programs receiving grants under the Rehabilitation Long-term Training program in the field of PM&R; must adhere to the final Rehabilitation Long-term Training regulations published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on June 16, 1992. (RSA-PPD-88-8, May 5, 1988**]