Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Pain Management
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Pain Management
Physiatrists at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin focus on restoring function for patients with both acute and chronic spine pain. Our physiatrists safely and effectively perform thousands of spinal injections each year with the benefit of precise, real-time X-ray guidance.
What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Pain Management?
Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, & Pain Management is a branch of medicine specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing disease primarily using “physical” means (such as medications and physical therapy). This branch of medicine is called Physiatry, and we specialize in various conservative treatments for the musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles).
Goals of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, & Pain Management (Physiatry):
Physiatrists strive to treat the whole patient – not just the specific injury or condition -which improves overall recovery and prevents recurrence. The goal of treatment is to restore normal function and enhance the quality of life for patients from a physical, emotional, psychosocial, and vocational perspective.
Back problems treated by physiatrists
Physiatrists treat many problems that affect the musculoskeletal system (the muscles and the bones). The following is a list of some of the back conditions related to back pain commonly treated by physiatrists:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Acute muscle and ligament injuries
- Acute and chronic pain
- Work Injuries
- Myofascial pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal cord injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
Physiatrists diagnose back injury and back problems.
Physiatrists diagnose injuries and problems in the musculoskeletal system by taking a thorough medical history of the patient and performing a complete physical exam. Further diagnostic testing may include laboratory testing, x-rays, and MRI scans. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies and procedures may also be performed to diagnose injuries or diseases of nerves and muscles.
Treatments offered by a physiatrist
The treatment offered for pain and injury is an aggressive approach that may include:
- Medications
- Active physical therapy (exercise), occupational therapy, recreational therapy
- Passive physical therapy (modalities)
- Health psychology
- Massage therapy
- Assistive devices
- Back braces
- Injections
