If you’ve been injured and have limited movement, or if you’ve suffered a stroke or debilitating disease, your doctor may have recommended physical medicine.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation has helped people lead more independent lives and has helped enhance the quality of their lives. It has also helped reduce pain due to injuries and health conditions.
What is Physical Medicine?
Physical medicine and rehabilitation focuses on restoring your range of movement and enhances your quality of life by allowing you to regain as much of your strength and range of motion as possible.
Doctors who specialize in physical medicine are known as physiatrists. Physiatrists work toward helping the patient gain as much mobility as they can so they may live their lives as independently as possible.
Although complete recovery may not be possible, the physiatrist works toward as much improvement in their patient’s lives as they can achieve.
Who Benefits from Physical Medicine?
People who benefit from physical medicine include:
- People who have suffered spinal cord injuries
- People who have spinal stenosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers
- People who have had traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries
- Stroke patients
- People with multiple sclerosis
- People who contracted polio
- People who have rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- People who have suffered serious burns
- Adults and children with musculoskeletal issues
- People who have Parkinson’s disease
- Someone who has suffered a soft tissue injury to the joints such as a meniscus tear, torn rotator cuff, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and plantar fasciitis
- Someone dealing with chronic pain
- Workers suffering from occupational overuse and injuries
- People dealing with neurogenic bowel/bladder issues
- Elderly and bedridden patients who may have bedsores
Is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Right for You?
If you are dealing with an injury, nerve damage, or chronic pain, physical medicine may make the difference between living a quality life and having to rely on someone to help you do the tasks you would normally do.
If you’re an athlete, it could make the difference between a career ending injury and getting back into the competition.
