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What is Physiatry, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic?
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Please select a topic to review.
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Physiatry
What is Physiatrist
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A physiatrist, pronounced fizz eye at' rist , is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physiatrist's primary goal for a patient is attainment of maximum functioning of the musculoskelatal system whether the patient is suffering from a debilitating neurologic disease or a sports injury. The specialty serves all age groups and treats problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body.
What is the difference between a physiatrist and a physical therapist? A physiatrist studies about three times as long as a physical therapist to complete their training. A physiatrist is a diagnostician with clinical skills combining knowledge of neurology and orthopedics. They can read and interpret MRI scans and perform nerve tests (EMG's). A physical therapist cannot make diagnoses nor can they prescribe drugs.
What is the difference between a physiatrist and a chiropractor? A physiatrist studies about twice as long as a chiropractor to obtain their M.D. and complete their education. A chiropractor earns a DC degree in about half the time. A chiropractor cannot prescribe drugs.
What is the difference between a physiatrist and an orthopedist? An orthopedist reconstructs joints, bones, and tendons in the operating room.
A physiatrist spends many years learning how to keep you out of the operating room entirely. A physiatrist may prescribe therapy, drugs, or devices which will allow you to recuperate without costly, painful surgery.
If surgery is the only alternative, a physiatrist will be the first person to tell you. Your physiatrist will recommend the very best surgeon for your problem.
How did the specialty develop? The field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) began in the 1930s to address muscoloskeletal and neurological problems, but broadened its scope considerably after World War II. As thousands of veterans came back to the United States with serious disabilities, the task of helping to restore them to productive lives became a new direction for the field. The Advisory Board of Medical Specialties granted PM&R its approval as a specialty of medicine in 1947.
What types of conditions does a physiatrist treat? Physiatrists are physicians who treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The focus of the specialty is on restoring function to people. Physiatrists treat acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. They may see a person who lifts a heavy object at work and experiences back pain, a basketball player who sprains an ankle and needs rehabilitation to play again, or a knitter who has carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiatrists' patients also include people with arthritis, tendonitis, any kind of back pain, and work- and sports- related injuries.
What is the physiatrist's role in treatment? A physiatrist may treat patients directly, lead an interdisciplanary team, or act as a consultant.
What kinds of treatments to physiatrists offer? Physiatrists offer a broad spectrum of medical services. They do not perform surgey. Physiatrists may prescribe drugs or assisstive devices, such as a brace or artificial limb. They also use diverse therapies such as heat and cold, electrotherapies, trigger point injections, massage, biofeedback, traction, and therapeutic exercise.
Where do physiatrists practice? Physiatrists practice in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and in private offices. They often have broad practices, but some concentrate on one area such as pediatrics, sports medicine, geriatric medicine, brain injury, and many other special interests. |
This information has been kindly provided by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
For more information, visit their website at www.aapmr.org |
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Physical Therapy
What is a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs also help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility through fitness and wellness programs that achieve healthy and active lifestyles. PTs examine individuals and develop plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. They provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTs must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure examination. The minimum educational requirement is a master's degree. Licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Therapists examine patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome.
Treatment often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients to use their own muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion before finally advancing to other exercises that improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.
Physical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and ultrasound to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction or deep-tissue massage to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use assistive and adaptive devices, such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also may show patients exercises to do at home to expedite their recovery.
As treatment continues, physical therapists document the patient’s progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Besides tracking the patient’s progress, such documentation identifies areas requiring more or less attention.
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Chiropractic
What is a Chiropractor
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is concerned with human health and disease processes. Doctors of Chiropractic are physicians who consider man as an integrated being and give special attention to the physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships.
The practice and procedures which may be employed by Doctors of Chiropractic are based on the academic and clinical training received in and through accredited chiropractic colleges and include, but are not limited to, the use of current diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Such procedures specifically include the adjustment and manipulation of the articulations and adjacent tissues of the human body, particularly of the spinal column. Included is the treatment of intersegmental aberrations for alleviation of related functional disorders.
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