Who is a physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a healthcare professional who can diagnose, prevent, and treat all types of brain, nerve, bone, joint, ligament, tendon, and muscle disabilities or injuries. They treat people of all ages and work with other specialists, like primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and neurologists. They are physical medicine and rehabilitation experts who take a holistic approach and aim to improve the quality of life of those suffering from chronic pain and physical impairments.
Physiatrists help patients avoid surgery by treating them through physical therapy and pain medication. They are medical doctors who use various procedures such as soft tissue, nerve, muscle, and spine injections to treat several disorders.
What kind of education and training do physiatrists receive?
Aspiring physiatrists must first graduate in science with subjects such as biology, chemistry, and math. They must then join a medical college where they study and train for four years. They learn theory in classrooms and laboratories during their first two years here. The following two involve practical training, diagnosing and treating illnesses under the guidance of experienced doctors and specialists.
Once they clear medical school, students earn a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) or a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. They then pursue an accredited internship and residency training program in physical medicine and rehabilitation. During this period, physiatrists acquire a broad knowledge of biomechanics, medicine, anatomy, and musculoskeletal function. They also gain a comprehensive understanding of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.
What is the difference between a physiatrist and an orthopedist?
The distinction between a physiatrist and an orthopedist lies in their respective approaches to addressing issues related to bones, muscles, or joints. While both types of doctors specialize in assisting individuals with musculoskeletal concerns, the key differentiator is the primary method of treatment each employs.
Physiatrists focus on employing non-surgical interventions to address these issues. Their treatment modalities often include the use of pain medication, physical therapy, and injections. The emphasis is on comprehensive, non-invasive approaches to manage and alleviate musculoskeletal conditions. It thus allows patients to explore therapeutic options without surgical procedures.
In contrast, orthopedists undergo additional training that equips them to perform surgical procedures on bones, muscles, or joints. Beyond surgical interventions, orthopedists can also prescribe medication and offer multiple treatments to address various musculoskeletal conditions. Their expertise extends to both surgical and non-surgical solutions, providing a broader spectrum of interventions.
It's worth noting that physiatrists and orthopedists frequently collaborate to ensure the best possible care for patients. In some cases, individuals may initiate their medical journey with a physiatrist, who focuses on non-surgical approaches. If needed, the physiatrist may refer the patient to an orthopedist, ensuring a seamless transition between non-invasive and surgical treatments tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
What kind of illnesses do physiatrists treat?
A physiatrist can treat pain and mobility issues from a spinal cord injury, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. They can offer post-operative care for patients who have undergone procedures such as heart surgery, joint replacement, or organ transplant. Also, physiatrists can reduce pain through chronic pain management using appropriate medicine.
Physiatrists can also provide musculoskeletal care for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. They can treat sports injuries such as concussions, stress fractures, and tendonitis.
What procedures do physiatrists perform?
Physiatrists perform a range of procedures to assess and manage various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. These procedures include:
- Electromyography (EMG): Physiatrists insert fine needle electrodes into muscles to evaluate muscle and nerve performance, aiding in the determination of whether the issue stems from muscle weakness or nerve dysfunction.
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS): Physiatrists use electrodes to identify the location of injuries within the nervous system, providing valuable information for diagnosis.
- Trigger point injections: Physiatrists inject an anesthetic or practice dry needling (similar to acupuncture) at trigger points in muscles to alleviate pain associated with specific muscle areas.
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound: Utilizing ultrasound imaging, which employs soundwaves to generate pictures, physiatrists assess soft tissue problems and precisely guide injections for optimal results.
- Spasticity management: Following a central nervous system injury such as a stroke or cerebral palsy, physiatrists prescribe medications to manage spasticity. This approach offers relief from pain and improves overall function.
Why should you visit a physiatrist?
You can visit a physiatrist for treatment of work injuries, sciatica, fibromyalgia, a pinched nerve in the neck or back, or carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have arthritis, spinal cord injuries, sports injuries, neuromuscular disorders, or brain injuries, physiatrists can provide you with the proper treatment.
Further, physiatrists can also treat back pain, neck pain, strokes, herniated discs, and Parkinson's disease. They can also provide care in case of multiple sclerosis, pelvic floor disorders, and Guillain-Barre syndrome or provide cancer rehabilitation.
What should one expect during the first visit to a physiatrist?
During your first visit to a physiatrist near you, they will enquire about your and your family's medical history, look at any notes made by a referring physician, and review the list of medications you are taking. It would help if you informed them about any major surgeries or injuries you have had.
The physiatrist will then ask about your current symptoms and try to understand what is causing the problem or pain. They will enquire about your lifestyle, any exercise program you are following, your physical activities during a typical day, and your diet. If needed, they may run diagnostic tests such as electromyography, nerve conduction studies, or X-rays to understand the problem.
The physiatrist would then prepare an individualized treatment plan as per your requirements. They can administer spinal therapeutics to relieve any back pain or injections to treat central nervous system pain. They might administer joint and trigger point injections if you have pain-causing soft tissue and bone disorders.
How can you find a good physiatrist near you in Seattle, WA?
Chronic discomfort is one of the most common causes for patients to seek medical attention. It limits one's everyday activities and lowers the quality of life, giving rise to anxiety and sadness.
Also, untreated pain can increase the risk of health issues like heart disease, lung infections, and decreased mobility. Therefore, in such cases, it is essential to consult a physiatrist to help ease your suffering. However, finding an experienced and skilled physiatrist can be time-consuming. Zocdoc can help you find some of the best physicians in Seattle, Washington, within just a few minutes.
To begin, log onto Zocdoc and enter your symptoms, location, preferred appointment date, etc., and receive a list of providers matching your criteria. You can use the insurance detector to verify your policy's coverage to find in-network professionals.
Furthermore, you may use filters to streamline results based on their gender, spoken languages, hospital affiliations, and whether they provide care for children.
Each provider has a profile on Zocdoc that includes information about their training, credentials, affiliations, honors, experience, specialties, and license, among other things. You may also access verified ratings and reviews left by previous patients. These evaluations can help you choose the best physiatrist near you.
Once you have picked the best-suited physiatrist for your needs and requirements, you can quickly schedule in-person and online consultations with them. Check for a purple video icon on their profile or use a filter to see if they offer virtual appointments.
On Zocdoc, all bookings are simple, safe, and free!
Statistics on chronic pain and other conditions in Washington
Physiatrists can treat pain caused by chronic conditions such as arthritis. According to America's Health Rankings, about 25% of the adult population in Washington had some form of arthritis in 2021. Women in the state (28.6%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (21.4%). It also showed that the condition's incidence increased with age, with around 52.4% of those 65 and above having arthritis. The percentage was lower in those aged 18 to 44 (7.9%) and 45 to 64 (32%).
Further, physiatrists can also help patients with diabetes by focusing on holistic health and improving symptoms. About 8.7% of adults in Washington were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021, excluding prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Its incidence also increased with age, with approximately 18.1% of those over 65 having diabetes. In comparison, only 11.8% aged 45 to 64 and 2.4% aged 18 to 44 were diabetic. Men (9.2%) were more likely to have diabetes than women (8.3%).
Additionally, physiatrists can provide cancer rehabilitation. About 7.1% of the adult population in Washington was diagnosed with some form of cancer (excluding skin cancer) in 2021. Cancer was also more prevalent amongst older people, with around 18.7% of those above 65 having it. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (7.4%) and 18 to 44 (1.5%). Women (8.5%) were more likely to have cancer than men (5.6%).
Sources
Penn Medicine
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
WebMD
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
