physiatry
Nonsurgical musculoskeletal specialty
Physiatry is the medical specialty focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Physiatrists diagnose and treat conditions affecting muscles, bones, nerves, and brain—helping patients recover function after injuries, strokes, or surgeries.
The field emphasizes restoring mobility and quality of life through nonsurgical approaches: physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
Her physiatry referral led to a treatment plan for chronic back pain.
Forms or methods used
- TENSElectrical nerve therapy
- electrical stimulationCurrent applied to body
- heat therapyTreatment using warmth
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
traction · hydrotherapy · injections · trigger point · joint injection · botulinum toxin · bracing · orthotics
Impairment affecting life activities
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- musculoskeletalPertaining to muscles and bones
- neuromuscularNerve-to-muscle signaling
- chronic painEnduring physical suffering
spasticity · mobility · ROM · EMG · motor function · muscle weakness · paralysis · paresis
Healing after brain vessel incident
- spinal cord injuryDamage to backbone's neural tissue
- traumatic brain injuryBrain damage from external force
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
back pain · neck pain · sports injury · cerebral palsy · multiple sclerosis · post-polio · fibromyalgia · carpal tunnel
Formal professional competency verification
- residencyState of dwelling somewhere
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- occupational therapistHelps patients regain functional abilities
- speech therapistCommunication disorder specialist
case manager · vocational counselor · prosthetist · orthotist · outpatient clinic
modalities
Forms or methods used
- TENSElectrical nerve therapy
- electrical stimulationCurrent applied to body
- heat therapyTreatment using warmth
cryotherapy · traction · hydrotherapy · injections · trigger point · joint injection · botulinum toxin · bracing · orthotics · prosthetics
disability
Impairment affecting life activities
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- musculoskeletalPertaining to muscles and bones
- neuromuscularNerve-to-muscle signaling
chronic pain · spasticity · mobility · ROM · EMG · motor function · muscle weakness · paralysis · paresis · contracture
stroke recovery
Healing after brain vessel incident
- spinal cord injuryDamage to backbone's neural tissue
- traumatic brain injuryBrain damage from external force
- amputationSurgical limb removal
arthritis · back pain · neck pain · sports injury · cerebral palsy · multiple sclerosis · post-polio · fibromyalgia · carpal tunnel · radiculopathy
board certification
Formal professional competency verification
- residencyState of dwelling somewhere
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- occupational therapistHelps patients regain functional abilities
speech therapist · case manager · vocational counselor · prosthetist · orthotist · outpatient clinic
physiatryorthopedic surgery
Musculoskeletal operative medicine
neurosurgery · surgical intervention · spine surgery · emergency medicine · acute care