Category : Healthcare
Physical medicine and rehabilitation” (PM&R), also known as “Physiatry” or “Rehabilitation Medicine”, branch of modern medicine which aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons or physiological functions.
Rehabilitation can help many body functions, including bowel and bladder problems, chewing and swallowing, problems thinking or reasoning, movement or mobility, speech, and language.
Many injuries or medical conditions can affect your ability to function, including:
- Brain disorders, such as stroke ,Multiple Sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- Long-term (chronic) pain, including back and neck pain
- Major bone or joint surgery, severe burns and amputation
- Severe arthritis becoming worse over time
- Severe weakness after recovering from a serious illness (such as infection, heart failure or respiratory failure)
- Spinal cord injury or brain injury
- Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Disease /parkinsonism
- Amputations in upper and lower limbs
- Nerve injuries
Children may need rehabilitation services for:
- Down Syndrome or other genetic disorders
- Intellectual disability
- Muscular Dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorders
- Sensory deprivation disorder, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disorders
- Speech / Hearing disorder and language problems
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) services also include sports medicine and injury prevention in sports.
A Physician who has successfully completed training (Post MBBS) in MD/DNB in PMR is referred to as a Physiatrist. Training includes an undergraduate degree, four and a half years of medical school, one year of internship and three years of MD course and one year senior residency . After residency, physiatrists may elect to specialize. In this case, physiatrists will complete a fellowship in a specific area like neuro rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, sports injuries, musculoskeletal rehabilitation etc.
The Rehabilitation Team
PMR is a team approach. Team members are doctors, other health professionals, the patient, and their family or caregivers.
Other types of doctors that may become part of the rehabilitation team as when it is necessary , include neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons, psychiatrists ,various specialists, super specialists and even primary care doctors.
Other health professionals include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, vocational counsellors, nurses, psychologists, dieticians (nutritionists), prosthetists and orthotists.
At present, more than 1000 PMR specialist doctors are practicing PMR. More than 30 medical institutions are offering MD, DNB and diploma courses across country. In Karnataka JSS is one of the 3 institutions which offers the services of Physical Medicine and rehabilitation.