Physiatrists Listed By State
Patient Education
Back Pain Treatment
Back pain is a common problem and often resolves in time. Treatment generally depends on whether the pain is short-term or long-lasting. Non-surgical treatment options include hot or cold packs, activity (bed rest should be limited), strengthening exercises as part of a physical therapy program, medications to reduce pain and muscle spasm, nerve block, TENS, and steroid injections. Surgery is usually recommended only if there is evidence of worsening nerve damage and when there is evidence of structural changes that can be repaired. More...
Botulinum Toxin for Spasticity
Botulinum toxin injections (Botox, Dysport, Myobloc) are a treatment option for spasticity. The toxin stop muscle spasms by blocking chemical messages sent from the nerves to the muscles. It may be used to treat muscle spasms associated with focal dystonias (cervical dystonia, blepharospasm) or spasticity that may result from cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis. Your physiatrist may recommend the use of botulinum toxin to control spastic muscles. More...
Electromyogram (EMG)
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that performed to diagnose neuromuscular disorders that may be causing tingling, numbness or muscle weakness. EMG may diagnose pinched nerves caused by a herniated disk, carpal tunnel syndrome, ALS, or other medical conditions. More...
Neck Pain
Neck pain is pain or discomfort in the neck, usually when moved. Neck pain can result from muscle strain following everyday activities, or from traumatic accidents or underlying abnormalities, such as herniated discs or arthritis. You should see a physiatrist if neck pain occurs after an injury or blow to the head, neck stiffness prevents you from touching your chin to your chest, pain shoots down one arm, there is tingling/numbness/weakness in your arms or hands, there is leg weakness or loss of coordination in arms or legs, pain does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication, or the neck pain does not improve after a week. More...
Sport Injuries
A "sport injury" is a broad term describing any kind of injury that occurs during sport or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents; others are due to poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warmup and stretching. Common injuries include muscle sprains and strains, ligament tears, dislocated joints or fractures. They can resolve quickly or be long-lasting (chronic). Treatment depends on the type, location, severity and duration of injury. Talk to a physiatrist to evaluate a sport injury and develop a treatment plan. More...
What is a Physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed medical school and completed additional training in in a medical field called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), also referred to as “physiatry”. A physiatrist restores or optimizes the function of people who have experienced injury or disease of their muscle, bone, joint, and/or nervous system. Physiatrists will frequently treat patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, neck pain, back pain, chronic pain, occupational injuries, or sports injuries. Physiatrists do not perform surgery, but may perform medical procedures to diagnose or treat their patients including EMG, joint injections and nerve root injections. Physiatrists in clinical practice may be board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. More...