What is a Physiatrist? What Do They Do and How to Find One?

So, what is a physiatrist? Let’s find out!

What is Physiatry?

Physiatry is a field of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal, neurological, and other disorders.

Still, it’s impossible to answer “what is a physiatrist” without explaining what a physiatry treats.

Most commonly, the field focuses on spinal cord injuries, neck and back pain, sports injuries, and arthritis; however, a physiatrist can also work with patients with injuries like stroke, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries. Conditions like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, all the way to tendonitis, can fall under the field of interest of physiatry (even though neurologists and pediatricians often manage them as well).

The field of physiatry uses a range of non-surgical methods to increase function and alleviate pain. While the majority of people immediately think of physical therapy, the truth is that various medications and injections also count as useful tools in the arsenal of a physiatrist.

The main objective of physiatry is to increase the quality of life of a patient.

Is a Physiatrist a Medical Doctor?

The short answer is: Yes!

A physiatrist is not only a medical doctor but also a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. To become a physiatrist, one has to earn a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree. They also have to complete a residency program and get board-certified.

The main point of confusion comes from the similarity of the title to the one of a physical therapist. You see, a physical therapist does not hold a medical degree, yet it sounds so similar and both of these professionals work, loosely, in the same field.

Not only that, but physiatrists often work closely with other healthcare professionals (like physical therapists and pain specialists), which leads to a specialty overlap. Under these circumstances, it’s almost understandable why some people may struggle to understand the specific roles and qualifications.

What do Physiatrists Do?

The simplest way to really give an answer to the question “What is a physiatrist?” would be to create a quick list of all their responsibilities.

• First, they are in charge of diagnosing all sorts of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system and numerous afflictions of the nervous system. For this job, our physiatrists use a variety of diagnostic tools, ranging from imaging technology (CT scans, X-rays, MRI, etc.) and electrodiagnostic tests to one’s medical history and physical examination.
• They are also in charge of a wide range of non-surgical treatments. These include physical therapy, occupational therapy, injections, prescribing medications, and recommending and fitting assistive devices like braces, orthotics, prosthetics, and wheelchairs.
• A massive part of their work is in the field of pain management, and they can use a combination of medications, physical therapy, and even interventional procedures to develop the most effective pain management plan. This is vital in making certain conditions bearable for people with chronic pain.
• Patients recovering from injuries and in the post-op stage often need some guidance to recover. Recovery management usually falls under the job description of a physiatrist.
• Perhaps the most commonly talked about role of a physiatrist is the one in sports medicine. They’re the ones who focus on the diagnosis and treatment of some of the most common athletic injuries, and they’re the ones in charge of post-injury recovery.
• Patient education and preventive care are among the most important responsibilities of a physiatrist, but they don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. There’s so much one can do to avoid, minimize, or slow down the development of various conditions, and it’s down to a physiatrist to teach them how.

All of these, and more, are the key responsibilities of a physiatrist.

The importance of physical medicine and rehabilitation

Previously, we’ve mentioned that physiatrists play a key role in rehabilitation. However, this field is such a big part of what they do that it deserves a section of its own.

Some conditions just won’t get better on their own. With the right physical medicine, the recovery process can be much faster. Even something as severe as a stroke recovery can be much quicker with the right rehabilitation process.

On the other hand, when physical medicine and rehabilitation are lacking, what you’re looking at are prolonged disabilities, chronic pain, increased healthcare costs, and even secondary healthcare issues. You would be surprised at how many things get worse when these things are not treated in time.

Take, for example, something as common as sciatica pain. There’s a clear connection between sciatic pain and sitting, and while everyone knows that mobility and exercises help, you can’t just start randomly stretching and hope that things will get better. 

Without the proper treatment, chronic pain might become debilitating, mobility will remain reduced, and even the psychological impact may eventually lead to conditions like depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

In other words, this is pivotal for one’s full psychological and physical recovery.

What types of physiatry are out there?

While there are a lot of different techniques that physiatrists use, the major types of physiatry are:

• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Pediatric rehabilitation
• Pain medicine
• Sports medicine
• Spinal cord injury medicine
• Brain injury medicine
• Cancer rehabilitation
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Cardiac rehabilitation

Of course, this is not a formal classification, and you might find additional types on different lists.

Wrap up

So, what is a physiatrist? A physiatrist is a specialist doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and the nervous system. However, outside of this textbook definition, a physiatrist is someone who helps people recover, return their mobility, or live pain-free (or as pain-free as possible). In other words, when it comes to direct quality-of-life improvements, there are few specialists that can do more.

Discover the benefits of physiatry for your recovery—contact the Orthopedic Institute of NJ today to find the right physiatrist for your needs!