Physician Services

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Physicians

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a branch of medicine devoted to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurologic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other disorders that may produce temporary or permanent impairment and associated disability. PM&R doctors focus on restoring function to people with conditions ranging from physical mobility limitations to those with complex cognitive impairments. Physiatry is patient-centered care to maximize function, mobility and independence.

What Is a Physiatrist?

A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and focuses on restoring function lost as a result of injury, illness or chronic condition. Physiatrists, like those with Good Shepherd Physician Group, help increase quality of life, whether you are recovering from a neurologic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary or other condition.

Why Should I See a Physiatrist?

Having a physiatrist guide your recovery is similar to having a primary care physician who also specializes in diagnosing and treating certain musculoskeletal conditions. Physiatrists have a keen understanding of how the body works. They focus on your goals and consider the body and mind to understand the source of your pain and/or limitations. Good Shepherd’s physiatrists coordinate your recovery with psychologists, physical, occupational and speech therapists and other physicians. They empower and encourage you throughout your recovery. Through their breadth of training, physiatrists aim to rehabilitate the whole person, addressing their physical, emotional, medical and vocational needs.

How Can a Physiatrist Help?

Physiatrists maximize what a patient can do and assist the patient in adapting to what he or she cannot. A physiatrist consultation is appropriate when pain, weakness or disability is preventing a patient from achieving their desired level of independence.

Physiatrists treat patients and residents who have medical conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Concussion
• Limb loss and amputation
• Migraines
• Multiple traumatic injuries
• Neurological conditions (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease)
• Orthopedic injuries and conditions (i.e., wrist, hip, knee, elbow)
• Spasticity
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Weakness

Physiatry Services

• Functional evaluation and treatment of neurological conditions like stroke, spasticity, neuropathy and Parkinson’s disease
• Post-acute rehabilitation of orthopedic patients (trauma and joint replacements)
• Ambulatory dysfunction
• Pain management with medications, joint costicosteroid injections and/or trigger point injections
• Equipment needs evaluation (assistive devices and orthotics)
• Telehealth visits with highly skilled and compassionate physicians from the comfort of home

What Other Services Are Available?

Dealing with a chronic or acute illness or injury can be a challenging adjustment. As part of the integrated, seamless care available to all Good Shepherd patients, our neuropsychology team can help adults, children and their families understand and cope with their condition.