Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a division of medicine that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. It traces its roots back to World War II physicians who provided physical, psychological and vocational reconditioning for injured soldiers. The goal of this rehabilitative field is to reduce pain and to improve functioning in individuals with physical impairments and disabilities.
This field of healthcare, also known as, manages a wide range of disorders and injuries that impair a person's ability to move and function normally. Examples include amputation, fibromyalgia, sports, back, neck, repetitive motion and traumatic brain injuries. They also have regimens for individuals with angina, congestive heart failure, asthma and other heart or lung disorders.
Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, often counsel patients who want to increase their fitness level, but have injuries, weight issues or other concerns. A specialist may prescribe swimming, walking and other low impact exercises to increase a patient's metabolism without worsening an injury. The physician may supplement these activities with physical therapy and recommend a brace to stabilize an impaired joint.
Physiatrists use an interdisciplinary approach to design a treatment plan with other physicians and healthcare professionals. The composition of the medical teams varies and is formulated based on the patient's diagnosis and level of impairment. For example, one low back pain patient may require the broad-based support of several team members and another may need intensive work with a couple of specialists. Neurologists, psychologist, orthopedist, chiropractors, speech, recreation and physical therapists are examples of some of the health professionals that could work on a team.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in SC provide a continuum of care when surgery is required to normalize function in the shortest possible time. Physiatrists can treat patients in a hospital or in an outpatient setting, such as a rehabilitation clinic or in an office. After a thorough examination, the physiatrist provides a treatment plan based on the patient's medical condition, level of function and goals. Plans may include activities that the patient can perform alone, and others that require the expertise of the physiatrists and other members of the medical team.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in SC will lead and coordinate the patient's care to achieve the best possible clinical outcome. This comprehensive method approach reduces chronic pain and improves the patient's quality of life. Physiatrists treat all aspects of disability to help patients achieve normal function or optimal function when full recovery is not possible.
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