Physical medicine and rehabilitation
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2012) |
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The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (November 2012) |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Physician |
| Activity sectors | Medicine |
| Description | |
| Education required | M.D. or D.O. (US), M.B.B.S. (UK) |
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), physiatry /fɨˈzaɪ.ətri/ or rehabilitation medicine, is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. A physician having completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist or rehabilitation medicine specialist. Physiatrists specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, and nervous system (such as stroke patients).[1]
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History
The term 'physiatry' was coined by Dr. Frank H. Krusen in 1938. The term was accepted by the American Medical Association in 1946. The field grew notably during World War II to accommodate the large number of injured soldiers.[2]
Scope of the field
Common conditions that are treated by the rehabilitation therapists include amputation, spinal cord injury, sports injury, stroke, musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as low back pain, fibromyalgia, and traumatic brain injury. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation involves optimizing function in those afflicted with heart or lung disease. Chronic pain management is achieved through a multidisciplinary approach involving psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, exercise therapists, anesthesiologist, and interventional procedures when indicated. In addition to the previous methodology, stroke is often treated with the help of a speech therapist and recreational therapist when possible.[3]
Philosophy
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (December 2012) |
The major concern that PM&R deals with as a medical field is the ability of a person to function optimally within the limitations placed upon them by a disabling impairment or disease process for which there is no known cure. The emphasis is not on the full restoration to the premorbid level of function, but rather the optimization of the quality of life for those not able to achieve full restoration. A team approach to chronic conditions is emphasized to coordinate care of patients. Comprehensive Rehabilitation is provided by specialists in this field, who act as a facilitator, team leader, and medical expert for rehabilitation.
Subspecialties
Six formal sub-specializations are recognized by the field in the United States:
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- Neuromuscular Medicine
- Pain Medicine
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Spinal Cord Injury Medicine
- Sports Medicine
Other subspecialties within the field that are recognized include the following[citation needed]:
- Musculoskeletal pain management
- Intervention physiatry
- Surgical rehabilitation
- Rheumatological rehabilitation
- Obesity and other lifestyle disease modifications
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Amputee care
- Electrodiagnostics
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
PM&R in India
The Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a scientific body of physiatrists working in the speciality of physical medicine and rehabilitation in India. It is a registered society promoting education and research in PM&R. It also looks into legislative affairs for persons with disability. Its secretarial office is in New Delhi, India.[4]
Journals
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is the journal of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Prior to 2009 is was jointly published with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
In 2009, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation launched a new journal, PM&R, published by Elsevier.[5]
A quarterly journal, Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Clinics of North America is published by Elsevier/Saunders also provides in-depth updated information on specific Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation topic.[6]
The Indian Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a quarterly published by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation[7]
Instrument list
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (December 2012) |
| Instrument | Uses |
|---|---|
| Heating pads | for application of superficial heat |
| Ice packs | for application of cold |
| Traction devices | to apply therapeutic force on affected regions like the neck |
| Water baths | to apply heat or cold superficially |
| Paraffin wax bath | to apply superficial heat |
| Short-wave diathermy | to apply superficial heat |
| Infrared light | to apply superficial heat |
| Electrotherapy unit | to apply heat for muscles. |
| Stimulator | for giving stimulation to superficial skin and hence giving heat to muscles for mobility. |
See also
References
- ^ "What is Physiatry? - HSS". Hss.edu. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
- ^ Grabois, M.; Garrison, S.J.; Hart, K.A; and Lehmkuhl, L.D, ed. (2000). Physical medicine and rehabilitation : the complete approach. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Science. ISBN 978-0865425361.
- ^ Frontera, W.R. (ed.). (2010). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- ^ "Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". IAPMR. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
- ^ "AAPM&R - American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". E-aapmr.org. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
- ^ "Elsevier". Theclinics.com. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
- ^ "Indian Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". IJPMR. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
External links
- What Is PM&R? gives a PM&R resident's description of the specialty and its appeal as a physician
