Physiatry is also called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Doctors train in a residency to understand in detail the way the musculoskeletal system works- how the muscles, bones and ligaments are working to cause pain and to influence the functioning of the body. They specialize in a non-surgical approach to treating pain, dysfunction and injuries. They focus on a personalized method of treatment to improve their patient’s quality of life. In addition Physiatry often uses electrodiagnostic tests-the EMG and nerve conduction studies- to help the diagnosis of nerve and muscle pain. Physiatrists treat a wise scope of cases-from low back, neck, shoulder and knee pain, to stroke rehabilitation and sports injuries. They can use injections of both pain medication and steroids to help pain, as well as the new technique of platelet-rich-plasma injections.