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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
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Physical medicine and rehabilitation is dedicated to improving function and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Through various cognitive, physical, pharmacologic and psychological therapies, as well as ongoing research efforts, substantial progress is being made to reduce the effects of disabilities on individuals' daily lives and/or cure disabling conditions.
Each neurologic (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury) or musculoskeletal disability (e.g., low back pain) is a very specialized condition, typically with its own group of medications, professional meetings,and even medical journals. Because each of these disabilities is a specialized condition, you need to find a doctor who specializes in care and rehabilitation of these lifelong, disabling conditions. You should be seeing such an individual, in addition to seeing your family or community doctor, at least once/year.
A physiatrist (pronounced "fiz eye' uh trist") is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists must undergo residency training in an accredited training program, and be board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists specialize in lifelong care of individuals with disabilities, and, since they specialize in rehabilitation, can often suggest new or cutting edge techniques of which others may not be aware.
Most insurance plans cover physiatrist care, as it is understood that lifelong disabling conditions require regular attention from a broad certified specialist
Physiatrists are typically listed in the telephone book, but can also often be accessed through your rehabilitation provider (e.g., physical or occupational therapist). Your family or community doctor may also be able to refer you to a physiatrist. Lastly, there are many rehabilitation hospitals located throughout the U.S. These hospitals will often have physiatry services available.
Of course, you should consult a physiatrist who specializes in pain to provide you with a definitive and individualized answer to this question. However, some techniques that have shown promise include: acupuncture,acupressure (gentle pressure on the pulse points at which acupuncture needles are usually applied), gentle heat, and cold packs (e.g., application of an ice pack). Some drugs can also alleviate pain, either temporarily, or for sustained periods. Depending on the cause of the pain, therapeutic exercises prescribed by a physiatrist, such as physical therapy or aquatic therapy, can also help.
Not necessarily. Certainly, age can play a role in how your body responds to, and subsequently heals following, a neurologic or musculoskeletal injury. However, we also now know that recovery is predicted by the condition your body is in at the time of injury. For example, someone who is 50 years old, smokes, and is obese is not only at greater risk for a stroke or heart attack, but will also typically have worse outcomes if a stroke occurs than someone who is 80, exercises regularly, and does not smoke. Similarly, someone who remains active after a back or neck injury and continues to follow a regular, prescribed exercise regimen will fare better than someone who is younger but is inactive.
Many of these examples offer common sense, but too often individuals do not regularly exercise or take care of themselves as well as they could, especially after an injury or disability occurs. Yet, research suggests that,after injury, physical activity and a sensible diet are important in healing and recovery.
Yes and No. It is true that the brain and/or spinal cord stop spontaneously healing themselves after several months. However, it is also known that the brain and/or spinal cord can often continue to reorganize and improvements in motor function can continue to occur. A key to this appears to be repeated practice with the body part(s) that are injured. For instance, if your hand was affected by your stroke, repeated use of that hand for several hours/day over an 8-10 week period can induce brain reorganization and subsequent improvements through a reimbursable outpatient program called "modified constraint induced therapy." Similarly, studies conducted at The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine suggest that biking assisted by functional electrical stimulation can also improve outcomes in spinal cord injury and stroke. The key in all of these protocols appears o be repeated muscular and brain activation, each of which occurs through repeated use.
Ironically, most patients are relatively inactive months or years after their injuries for a variety of reasons.
There are a number of different types of therapy that may be prescribed by a physiatrist, depending on the nature and cause of your injury. Physical therapy, for example can help wit gross motor skills, balance, and walking,among other things.Occupational therapy can help with more fine motor skills, such as writing or manipulating small objects with your hands. Speech therapy can help with saying or forming words, producing air to form words, and swallowing, among others. Many other therapies, such as cognitive therapy (for thinking), aquatic therapy, or even driver rehabilitation may also be used to help you get back to daily functioning.
Last Reviewed: May 26, 2005
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Stephen J Page, PhD Director of Research, Associate Professor Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation College of Medicine Drake Center University of Cincinnati |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) |