Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)
A physiatrist is a physician specialist whose expertise is managing the problems of patients with physical disabilities from musculo-skeletal, neuromuscular and cardiovascular disorders such as neck and back pain, stroke, amputation, head injury and spinal cord injury.
The physiatrist's primary goal is comprehensive rehabilitation of patients to achieve maximum physical, social, psychological and vocational functioning as well as the prevention of disabilities. To achieve this goal, the doctor utilizes various health care professionals for therapeutic programs, various therapeutic and diagnostic techniques such as electrodiagnosis (electromyography and nerve conduction studies), nerve blocks, and use of special devices such as splints, braces and artificial limbs.
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