Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) is a non-surgical specialty involving treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, as well as rehabilitation of patients after surgery or following strokes, head injuries, paralysis and other debilitating injuries or illnesses.  

A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists are skilled in the diagnosis and nonsurgical management of a variety of musculoskeletal/orthopedic and neurologic conditions that cause acute and chronic pain, as well as musculoskeletal and neurologic dysfunction.

There are numerous areas within the field of PM&R in which physicians specialize. Among these are interventional spine care, chronic pain, musculoskeletal/orthopedic injury, electrodiagnostic medicine, sports medicine, spinal cord and brain injury, to name a few.  

Physiatrists goal is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery. Physiatrists 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 a 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, physiatrists help patients stay as active as possible.

For more information, visits www.aapmr.org.