Imagine that you have been suffering from back pain for a long time, or you have been injured while playing cricket and now you can't run or jump like you used to. Maybe an elderly person in your family has had a stroke and is having difficulty walking or talking. At a time like this, many people think that they either need surgery or will have to suffer like this for the rest of their lives. But, have you heard of a specialist who can help you get back to normal and do your daily activities without surgery? That's what we call a 'Physiatrist'.
Simply put, who is this Physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in managing diseases and injuries that interfere with your body's ability to move and perform daily activities. Simply put, these doctors can treat any physical discomfort that prevents you from doing your job, taking care of your family, or doing the things you enjoy (for example, playing sports or gardening).
These doctors primarily focus on conditions related to your skeletal and nervous systems . However, they have extensive knowledge of the entire human body. Because of this, they can see the big picture of how a condition can affect your physical function and quality of life.
There are other names by which this medical science is known. They are:
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
- Physiatry
So a Physiatrist is also called a `PM&R doctor` and a `Rehabilitation doctor`. These are all names for the same specialist.
Most importantly, the primary goal of these doctors is to control your symptoms and make your life easier by using non-surgical treatments.
What types of conditions does a physiatrist help with?
These doctors treat people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. There are many conditions they manage. Let's take a look at the main ones.
| Patient category | Conditions treated (examples) |
|---|---|
| For adults |
|
| For children |
|
These are just a few examples. Simply put, these doctors can help with any chronic condition that interferes with your mobility and daily life.
How is the diagnosis made?
When you go to see a physiatrist, the first thing they do is listen carefully to what you have to say. They will ask you a lot of questions about your medical history, the discomfort you are experiencing, what the pain is like, and when it gets worse. Then they will examine you carefully.
In addition, the following tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis:
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- MRI Scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Nerve conduction study
- EMG test (Electromyography) - A test to check the function of muscles.
What makes these doctors special is that they care deeply about not only your illness, but also the impact it has had on your life and your mind. When making a diagnosis, they also consider questions like:
* "How does this illness affect your life?"
* "What are the hardest things for you to do?"
* "What are the things you have been unable to do because of this illness?"
* "What are the things you wish you could do again?"
* "How has this situation affected your mental health?"
By gathering all this information, they create the best treatment plan that suits you.
What are the treatments available? A cure without surgery!
As mentioned earlier, the main goal of these doctors is non-surgical treatment. They provide treatments that control your symptoms (such as pain, muscle stiffness, numbness) and help your body heal itself. Many chronic diseases cannot be completely cured. However, their goal is to help you live as independently and happily as possible with those diseases.
Here are some of the treatments they use:
| Treatment method | Examples |
|---|---|
| Injections | Special injections, such as steroids, are given to painful areas, joints, and the spine. |
| Therapies | Referral for treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. |
| Special Procedures | Pain relief methods such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). |
| Assistive devices and medications | Devices such as prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches, etc. As well as prescribing medications for pain and other symptoms. |
Physiatrist, Physical Therapist, and Psychologist - What is the difference between these three?
Many people get confused when they hear these three names. Although all three of these people help you, their roles are different. Let's understand this difference clearly.
Difference between Physiatrist and Physical Therapist
Both of these work together to improve your movement and physical function, but their training and what they do are different.
| Section | Physiatrist (physician) | Physical Therapist |
|---|---|---|
| Education | A specialist physician who has obtained a medical degree (MD) from a medical school. | A health professional who has earned a degree in physical therapy (DPT). |
| Diagnosis | It is capable of diagnosing diseases. For example, determining whether there is osteoarthritis in the knee. | A medical diagnosis is not made. But the movement problem caused by the disease is identified. For example, identifying difficulty bending the knee. |
| Prescribing medication | Able to prescribe medications and injections. | They are unable to prescribe medication. They use exercise and other physical therapy methods. |
| How it works | The patient's condition is examined, a diagnosis is made, and physical therapy is referred if necessary. | Based on the doctor's recommendation, an exercise and treatment plan suitable for the patient is developed and implemented. |
Difference between Physiatrist and Psychologist
These two are experts in two completely different fields.
- A physiatrist treats conditions that affect your body , especially those related to the skeletal and nervous systems.
- A psychologist treats things that affect your mind . That means mental health issues like stress and depression.
However, when living with chronic pain, it can also affect your mental health. In such cases, a physiatrist may refer you to a psychologist to help with the mental stress that is caused by it, while treating your physical pain.
When should you see a physiatrist?
If any of the following apply to you, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about seeing a physiatrist:
- If you have difficulty performing your daily tasks due to chronic pain or injury.
- If you are recovering from a stroke .
- If you have pain or difficulty moving after surgery .
- If you are experiencing severe fatigue or pain due to treatment for another disease (e.g. cancer).
- If, for no apparent reason, you feel like you can't walk or move as easily as you used to.
Take-Home Message
- A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating problems related to the body's movement and function without surgery.
- Their main goal is to reduce your pain and help you carry out your daily activities as independently and easily as possible .
- They don't just treat the symptoms, but also consider the impact the disease has on your entire life and mental health.
- A physiatrist is not a physical therapist. They can diagnose and prescribe medication.
- If you have long-term pain, difficulty walking, or are having trouble recovering from an accident, ask your doctor about a specialist like this.
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