What is a Physiatrist?

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 A Physiatrist is a very important part of a brain injury survivor’s recovery.

 

ABI Resources team members are often directed by a Physiatrist. A Physiatrist is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician. They treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting brain injury, muscles, nerves, bones, spinal cord, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Physiatrists often help to direct a recovering person's overall care plan. Physiatrists may prescribe medications and work as a bridge of care with other treatment professionals. They may write prescriptions for many specialties including but not limited to physical or occupational therapy and speech pathology.

 

PM&R physicians are medical doctors who have completed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) training. Many Physiatrist are certified in Brain Injury Medicine, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, and Spinal Cord Injury Medicine.

 

Physiatrists may use tools that include;

 

Nerve Stimulators, Blocks and Ablation procedures-Peripheral and Spinal

Injections of joints

Prolotherapy

Spasticity Treatment (Phenol and Botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal baclofen pump trial and implants)

Nerve and Muscle Biopsy

Manual Medicine/Osteopathic Treatment

Prosthetics and Orthotics

Complementary-alternative medicine (i.e. acupuncture, etc.)

Disability/impairment assessment

Medicolegal consulting

EMG/Nerve Conduction

Ultrasound-guided procedures

Fluoroscopy guided procedures

Injections of spine

Discography, Disc Decompression and Vertebroplasty Kyphoplasty

 

A Physiatrist is a very important part of a brain injury survivor’s recovery.

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Connecticut Home Healthcare Services 

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