BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPhysical medicine and rehabilitationRehabilitation; Physical rehab; PhysiatryPhysical medicine and rehabilitation is a medical specialty that helps people regain body functions they lost due to medical conditions or injury. This term is often used to describe the whole medical team, not just the doctors.Rehabilitation can help many body functions, including bowel and bladder problems, chewing and swallowing, problems thinking or reasoning, movement or mobility, speech, and language. Information Many injuries or medical conditions can affect your ability to function, including:Brain disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term (chronic) pain, including back and neck pain BackLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficult...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Neck painNeck pain is discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. These include the muscles, nerves, bones (vertebrae), joints, and the discs between th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Major bone or joint surgery, severe burns, or limb amputation BurnsBurns commonly occur by direct or indirect contact with heat, electric current, radiation, or chemical agents. Burns can lead to cell death, which c...Read Article Now Book Mark Article AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe arthritis becoming worse over time ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe weakness after recovering from a serious illness (such as infection, heart failure or respiratory failure) Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Respiratory failureRespiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when your lungs can’t remove all of the carbon dioxide produced by your body. This causes the blood ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal cord injury or brain injury Spinal cord injurySpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Children may need rehabilitation services for:Down syndrome or other genetic disorders Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article GeneticGenetics is the study of heredity, the process of a parent passing certain genes to their children. A person's appearance -- height, hair color, ski...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Intellectual disability Intellectual disabilityIntellectual disability is a condition diagnosed before age 18 that includes below-average intellectual function and a lack of skills necessary for d...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorders Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sensory deprivation disorder, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disorders Autism spectrum disorderAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It often appears in the first 2 to 3 years of life. ASD affects the brain's ability to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Speech disorders and language problems Speech disordersA speech disorder is a condition in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. This can ma...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal disorders or deformities due to cerebral palsyPhysical medicine and rehabilitation services also include sports medicine and injury prevention.WHERE REHABILITATION IS DONEPeople can have rehabilitation in many settings. It will often begin while they are still in the hospital, recovering from an illness or injury. Sometimes it begins before someone has planned surgery.After the person leaves the hospital, treatment may continue at a special inpatient rehabilitation center. A person may be transferred to this type of center if they have significant orthopedic problems, burns, a spinal cord injury or severe brain injury from stroke or trauma.Rehabilitation often also takes place in a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center outside of a hospital.Skilled nursing facilityWhen you no longer need the amount or type of care provided in a hospital, the hospital will begin the process to discharge you. Most people hope to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Many people who are recovering eventually go home. Therapy may then be continued at your health care provider's office or in another setting, if needed. You may visit the office of your physical medicine physician and other health professionals. Sometimes, a therapist will make home visits. Family members or other caregivers must also be available to help.WHAT REHABILITATION DOESThe goal of rehabilitation therapy is to teach people how to take care of themselves as much as possible. The focus is often on daily tasks such as eating, bathing, using the bathroom and moving from a wheelchair to a bed.Sometimes, the goal is more challenging, such as restoring full function to one or more parts of the body.Rehabilitation experts use many tests to evaluate a person's problems and monitor their recovery.A full rehabilitation program and treatment plan may be needed to help with medical, physical, social, emotional, and work-related problems, including: Therapy for specific medical problems Advice about setting up their home to maximize their function and safety Help with wheelchairs, splints and other medical equipment Help with financial and social issues Family and caregivers may also need help adjusting to their loved one's condition and knowing where to find resources in the community.THE REHABILITATION TEAMPhysical medicine and rehabilitation uses a team approach. Team members are doctors, other health professionals, you, and your family or caregivers.Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors receive 4 or more extra years of training in this type of care after they have finished medical school. They are also called physiatrists.Other types of doctors that may be members of a rehabilitation team include neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, psychiatrists and primary care doctors.Other health professionals include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, vocational counselors, nurses, psychologists, and dietitians (nutritionists).Open ReferencesReferencesDavid AM. Cardiac rehabilitation. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 123.Rondinelli RD, Ranavaya MI. Practical aspects of impairment rating and disability determination. In: Cifu DX, ed. Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 5.AllVideoImagesTogSelf Care Cardiac rehabilitationHome health care Postural drainage Related Information Review Date: 10/15/2023 Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Physical medicine and rehabilitationRehabilitation; Physical rehab; PhysiatryPhysical medicine and rehabilitation is a medical specialty that helps people regain body functions they lost due to medical conditions or injury. This term is often used to describe the whole medical team, not just the doctors.Rehabilitation can help many body functions, including bowel and bladder problems, chewing and swallowing, problems thinking or reasoning, movement or mobility, speech, and language. Information Many injuries or medical conditions can affect your ability to function, including:Brain disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term (chronic) pain, including back and neck pain BackLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficult...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Neck painNeck pain is discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. These include the muscles, nerves, bones (vertebrae), joints, and the discs between th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Major bone or joint surgery, severe burns, or limb amputation BurnsBurns commonly occur by direct or indirect contact with heat, electric current, radiation, or chemical agents. Burns can lead to cell death, which c...Read Article Now Book Mark Article AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe arthritis becoming worse over time ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe weakness after recovering from a serious illness (such as infection, heart failure or respiratory failure) Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Respiratory failureRespiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when your lungs can’t remove all of the carbon dioxide produced by your body. This causes the blood ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal cord injury or brain injury Spinal cord injurySpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Children may need rehabilitation services for:Down syndrome or other genetic disorders Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article GeneticGenetics is the study of heredity, the process of a parent passing certain genes to their children. A person's appearance -- height, hair color, ski...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Intellectual disability Intellectual disabilityIntellectual disability is a condition diagnosed before age 18 that includes below-average intellectual function and a lack of skills necessary for d...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorders Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sensory deprivation disorder, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disorders Autism spectrum disorderAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It often appears in the first 2 to 3 years of life. ASD affects the brain's ability to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Speech disorders and language problems Speech disordersA speech disorder is a condition in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. This can ma...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal disorders or deformities due to cerebral palsyPhysical medicine and rehabilitation services also include sports medicine and injury prevention.WHERE REHABILITATION IS DONEPeople can have rehabilitation in many settings. It will often begin while they are still in the hospital, recovering from an illness or injury. Sometimes it begins before someone has planned surgery.After the person leaves the hospital, treatment may continue at a special inpatient rehabilitation center. A person may be transferred to this type of center if they have significant orthopedic problems, burns, a spinal cord injury or severe brain injury from stroke or trauma.Rehabilitation often also takes place in a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center outside of a hospital.Skilled nursing facilityWhen you no longer need the amount or type of care provided in a hospital, the hospital will begin the process to discharge you. Most people hope to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Many people who are recovering eventually go home. Therapy may then be continued at your health care provider's office or in another setting, if needed. You may visit the office of your physical medicine physician and other health professionals. Sometimes, a therapist will make home visits. Family members or other caregivers must also be available to help.WHAT REHABILITATION DOESThe goal of rehabilitation therapy is to teach people how to take care of themselves as much as possible. The focus is often on daily tasks such as eating, bathing, using the bathroom and moving from a wheelchair to a bed.Sometimes, the goal is more challenging, such as restoring full function to one or more parts of the body.Rehabilitation experts use many tests to evaluate a person's problems and monitor their recovery.A full rehabilitation program and treatment plan may be needed to help with medical, physical, social, emotional, and work-related problems, including: Therapy for specific medical problems Advice about setting up their home to maximize their function and safety Help with wheelchairs, splints and other medical equipment Help with financial and social issues Family and caregivers may also need help adjusting to their loved one's condition and knowing where to find resources in the community.THE REHABILITATION TEAMPhysical medicine and rehabilitation uses a team approach. Team members are doctors, other health professionals, you, and your family or caregivers.Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors receive 4 or more extra years of training in this type of care after they have finished medical school. They are also called physiatrists.Other types of doctors that may be members of a rehabilitation team include neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, psychiatrists and primary care doctors.Other health professionals include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, vocational counselors, nurses, psychologists, and dietitians (nutritionists).Open ReferencesReferencesDavid AM. Cardiac rehabilitation. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 123.Rondinelli RD, Ranavaya MI. Practical aspects of impairment rating and disability determination. In: Cifu DX, ed. Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 5.