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What is a physiatrist, and what do they do?

Chronic pain is a frequently cited reason for seeking medical attention. It negatively affects one's well-being and limits daily activities, resulting in a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Neglecting to address pain can increase the risk of developing health disorders such as heart disease, respiratory infections, and reduced mobility.

 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, or physiatrists, are equipped with diverse medical knowledge to diagnose the root cause of pain and devise an all-encompassing treatment strategy. They have the expertise to assist individuals with various pain-inducing ailments that might develop at any stage in life.

Numerous factors may result in pain, such as injury, sickness, or medical conditions involving the brain, nerves, spinal cord, bones, joints, and muscular system.

Physiatrists consider the entire body rather than the affected area and assemble a care team to optimize treatment and recovery. This team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, primary care physicians, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons.

Physiatrists provide individualized treatment plans for each patient based on their specific requirements. The approach taken may vary depending on the underlying issue and may include the following:

• Pain management strategies for patients suffering from chronic pain.
• Neurorehabilitation addresses mobility difficulties and pain resulting from conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, or brain injury.
• Musculoskeletal care alleviates symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Treatment for sports injuries
• Post-operative care may be necessary for patients undergoing joint replacement, organ transplant, or heart surgery.

How do physiatrists differ from physical therapists?

Physiatrists are physicians who have undergone specialized physical medicine and rehabilitation training after medical school. They diagnose illnesses, create treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Additionally, physiatrists design customized exercise programs to meet the needs of their patients and provide treatment guidelines for therapists to follow.

Conversely, physical therapists are not medical doctors authorized to prescribe medications. Instead, they supervise and implement exercise programs designed by physiatrists and other physicians to alleviate symptoms and improve function. Physical therapists work under the guidance of physiatrists and other medical professionals to carry out treatment protocols.

What procedures do physiatrists perform?

The different procedures that physiatrists perform include the following:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound: The ultrasound imaging test analyzes soft tissue disorders and guides the injections.
• Electromyography (EMG): The physiatrist inserts tiny needle electrodes into the muscles to analyze the nerves and muscle functions. The test helps detect whether a particular disorder is caused due to nerve dysfunction or muscle weakness.
• Spasticity management: Spasticity is a condition where the muscles contract or stiffen and cannot move. It usually occurs after a central nervous system injury like cerebral palsy or stroke. Physiatrists may prescribe medicines to relieve pain and treat the condition. 
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS): The test is performed using fine electrodes and helps to pinpoint the location of the nervous system injury.
• Trigger point injections: The doctor first identifies the muscle trigger points. Then, perform dry needling or inject an anesthetic on the trigger point to relieve pain.

Physiatrists may even prescribe an exercise program or physical therapy and give injections in the spine or joints.

When should you see a physiatrist?

It would be best to visit a physiatrist near you for any of the following conditions:

• If you are going through any injury that leads to pain or makes it difficult to move
• Have an illness or disability that limits physical movement and causes discomfort.
• If you experience chronic pain in the back, neck, or joints due to arthritis
• For repetitive stress injury or nerve damage or recovering from surgery, it is advisable to seek medical attention from a physiatrist.
• Additionally, if you are thinking about undergoing surgery to alleviate chronic pain, it is recommended to consult with a physiatrist.

What to expect from a visit to a physiatrist?

Physiatrists use their extensive training to offer general medical treatment for pain relief and to prevent further disability. The doctor may ask your medical and family history to determine the cause of your problem. Additionally, it is crucial to communicate your treatment goals, whether you want to alleviate back pain or improve muscle performance.

If a diagnosis is required, the doctor may conduct various diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the issue. They also consider your overall health to manage underlying conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. These factors are taken into account while developing personalized treatment options, which can include the following:

• Home-based care programs
• Specialized treatments provided by experts like physical therapists or orthopedic surgeons
• Mental health support to manage your condition and improve your response to treatment
• Alternative therapies, such as medical acupuncture

What is a rehabilitation program?

To 'rehabilitate' means to make the person 'able.' A rehab or rehabilitation program is an approach that helps a person achieve optimum bodily functions to lead a good quality of life. Rehab may not reverse the damage due to injury or disease but helps restore an individual's optimum physical and mental health and well-being. 

A rehabilitation program is designed as per the specific needs of a patient. Therefore, each rehab program is unique. The essential components of a rehab program include the following:

• Treat the disability and improve muscle function
• Treat the disease and prevent complications
• Change the patient's environment and provide adaptive tools
• Guide the patient and family and help them adapt to the lifestyle changes

The success of a rehab program depends on various factors, including:

• Physical and mental health of the patient
• The degree and type of disability and impairment
• The severity of the injury, disorder, or disease
• Family support

Finding the best physiatrist near you

If you are looking for the best physiatrist in Jackson Heights, New York, let Zocdoc assist you. Zocdoc has a search engine comprising a list of doctors in and around your area. It can recommend the best doctor according to your requirements. When you input a search query on Zocdoc, you also have the option to add multiple filters. These filters include your locality, specialty, appointment slots, zip code details, and insurance carrier plans. 

You can also browse the detailed doctor profile when shortlisting a medical provider. This profile includes their educational qualifications, expertise, years of practice, and additional certifications. These profiles help you in choosing the right doctor for your specific needs. 

Further, you can also go through patient reviews and user ratings of physiatrists near you to compare them. These are authentic and recent reviews posted by patients to help you make an informed decision. Zocdoc is extremely easy to use, secure, and completely free.

Physiatrist statistics in Jackson Heights, New York

A physiatrist can treat various medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, arthritis, and work-related injuries. In New York, the number of deaths from Parkinson's disease rose from 1,592 in 2019 to nearly 1,899 in 2020, according to the 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. 

More than 3 million individuals in New York experience arthritis pain, as per the New York State Department of Health. Additionally, America's Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report shows that the percentage of New York adults with some form of arthritis has risen from nearly 20.9% in 2020 to almost 23.6% in 2021.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the private sector recorded almost 125,500 nonfatal workplace injuries and ailments in New York in 2021.

Sources

WebMD

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Penn Medicine

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

New York State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

America's Health Rankings 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.