Physiatry (fi-zahy-uh-tree), also referred to as physical medicine and rehabilitation, encompasses the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disabilities or injuries related to the brain, nerves, bones and muscles. The goal of this specialty is to maximize physical functioning, greatly decrease or eliminate pain, foster independence and improve quality of life for those suffering with a disability, chronic pain and physical impairments.
Who Is It for?
Physiatry can help patients with functional deficits and secondary medical conditions as a result of the following:
Amputation
Brain Injury
Osteoarthritis
Spasticity and Movement Disorders
Spinal Cord Injury
Spine Pain
Sports-Related Injuries
Stroke
Some of these medical conditions can often cause chronic pain or impede physical functioning, ultimately affecting a person’s overall well-being and making it difficult for them to sustain a desired quality of life.
Is Physiatry Right for You?
If you're struggling with constant pain and discomfort, mobility or activities of daily living, talk to your provider about a referral to the Renown Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic or call 775-982-3608.
When it comes to needing a plan to work towards healing certain health ailments, physiatrists are experts in establishing conservative, non-surgical treatment plans. They collaborate with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists to optimize patient care. Rather than just treating a problem area, they treat the whole person.
“By listening to the patient’s story and functional goals, we can develop a multifaceted approach to help them overcome their health obstacles and lead a more fulfilling livelihood,” says Casey Keating, MD, a physiatrist with Renown Medical Group - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. “As physiatrists, we understand that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes recovery. We come up with a plan of action customized to meet your needs.”
Types of Treatments
A physiatrist can perform and prescribe the following treatments and tests:
Back-to-school season means kids and teens are gearing up for sports and physical activities — which are both enjoyable and beneficial for our health. However, with the fun and excitement of sports comes the risk of injuries. Sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones are more common than we realize and can sometimes lead to an emergency room visit.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: Relief and Recovery for All Ages
Pelvic floor dysfunction affects millions across the U.S., yet many people remain undiagnosed for years due to limited awareness and access to treatment.
Injuries. Pain. Loss of speech or voice. Trauma. Muscle weakness. For the average person, these issues are often thought of as setbacks – and when you experience these setbacks, basic tasks of daily life can become a struggle.
Think of it this way: what if you could no longer pick something up off the floor without intense back pain? What if your joints start getting stiff and you can’t move your knees the same way? What if you suffer a brain injury and need to re-learn how to swallow?
All of these hypothetical situations can happen to anyone. But at Renown Health, there is one team dedicated to intervening at the right time, in the right place.
That team is Renown's Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy department, where setbacks become breakthroughs.
