Physical medicine experts treat various spinal cord, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, bone, nerve, and brain conditions. By examining the whole body, they can identify issues and offer appropriate treatment. A Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, also known as a physiatrist, will be helpful if you are experiencing pain or disability. A physiatrist will design a treatment plan and offer holistic approaches and exercises before deciding if surgery is necessary. Consulting a physical medicine specialist in Monroe Township is important to consider before looking at surgical treatment options. They will offer an understanding of the full range of available treatment options.
When Should I See a Physiatrist?
Visiting a physical medicine expert for your musculoskeletal issues is essential. They have a complete understanding of how the body performs its functions. Should you have any underlying medical conditions, they will know how these conditions impact your quality of life and mobility. Through their training, they can rehabilitate and address your physical, medical, and emotional needs. You should visit the specialist for help when:
- You had an injury from an accident and chronic pain that has affects your normal functioning.
- You are recovering from surgery
- Your illness has reduced your energy and movement
- You have back issues or arthritis that is accompanied by chronic pain
- You experience excessive weight gain that contributes to your health problems
- You have difficulty exercising
- You experience difficulty in physical functions due to life changes such as menopause or childbirth
How do Physiatrists Treat Musculoskeletal Conditions?
Treatment offered by physical medicine specialists deals primarily with informing the patient about their diagnosis and using multifaceted methods to conservative musculoskeletal care. Their treatment focuses on rehabilitating body functions, alleviating pain, and improving the quality of life. The treatment may also include:
- Explaining the importance of therapy and the functions of exercise, while educating patients on correct exercise techniques and control guidelines.
- Instituting a physical therapy procedure.
- Guiding the patient on improving their general health, such as quitting smoking and managing weight.
- Establishing and controlling a medication procedure with the aim for non-opiate treatments.
- Instituting minimally-invasive injections on the painful areas of the body, while treating pain and restoring function via X-ray and ultrasound guidance.
- Referring a patient to other treatment therapies such as acupuncture.
- Referring a patient to receive psychosocial assistance.
What Should I Expect When I Visit a Physiatrist?
Your doctor will create a treatment strategy depending on your needs. With the nature of your diagnosis, you may be required to visit your physiatrist for a particular duration of time. The specialist will conduct a medical examination and a review of your medical history, and may also conduct scanning tests, such as the X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or the Computed Axial Tomography (CAT), to assess your symptoms and establish your needs and objectives. To ensure minimum injury and physical fitness, it is recommended you lead a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, regularly exercises, manage stress, and make an appointment with specialists such as physiatrists. Musculoskeletal therapy may take quite a long time, but by following the recommendations above, you are ensuring yourself a reduced recovery time.