Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is the specialty that focuses on restoring movement, function and quality of life in people with pain, disability or weakness due to injury, illness or long-term conditions. Specialists work with the muscles, bones, nerves and brain–spinal cord system to help patients become as independent as possible. What they do: Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists assess problems like chronic pain, stiffness, weakness, difficulty walking, balance issues, post-stroke disability, spine problems and joint limitations. They design personalised exercise and rehabilitation programmes, prescribe assistive devices (such as braces, wheelchairs or walkers), coordinate physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, and guide lifestyle changes, workplace modifications and long-term follow-up. Common conditions treated: stroke and paralysis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, back and neck pain, arthritis and joint disorders, sports injuries, muscle and nerve diseases causing weakness, post-fracture stiffness and disability, post-surgery rehabilitation (joint replacement, spine surgery, cancer surgery, amputation), pain syndromes such as frozen shoulder, knee osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. When to visit: after stroke or brain/spinal injury to plan rehabilitation, after major fractures or joint/spine surgery when you have difficulty walking or using limbs, when you have persistent back or neck pain not improving with simple measures, if you feel weakness, stiffness or imbalance affecting daily activities, in chronic arthritis with limitation of movement, or when you need advice on long-term disability management, work return and assistive devices. Treatment methods: detailed functional assessment of movement, strength, balance and daily activities, prescription of targeted exercises, stretching and strengthening programmes, coordination of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, pain-relief methods such as medications, injections (e.g., joint or nerve blocks), heat/cold therapy, ultrasound or electrical stimulation, spasticity management including medicines, botulinum toxin injections and splinting, training in use of orthoses, prostheses and mobility aids, counselling on posture, ergonomics at home and workplace, and setting realistic rehabilitation goals with the patient and family.