| What in the world is physiatry? Simply put, it is a | | | | electrotherapies, trigger point injections, |
| specialized therapy that involves physical medicine | | | | massage, traction, and therapeutic exercise. |
| and rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system. | | | | Physiatrists do not perform surgery. |
| This is why fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic | | | | The Physical Medicine, Physiatrist, or Fibromyalgia |
| myofascial pain, and other chronic pain sufferers | | | | Rehabilitation specialist’s goal is to arm the |
| can benefit from this therapy. The focus of | | | | patient with techniques to improve their quality of |
| physiatry is on restoring function to patients. | | | | life, even if the condition is chronic. Each patient |
| Physiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and | | | | needs distinctive care and each patient needs to |
| treat acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal | | | | identify their own specific rehabilitation treatment |
| disorders. They work to restore function lost | | | | goals. |
| due to injury, illness or a disabling condition and | | | | Physiatrists use a combination treatment methods |
| provide non-surgical treatments and prevention. | | | | that are individualized for every patient. A |
| Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and | | | | treatment plan will most likely include several of |
| bone specialists who treat injuries or illnesses that | | | | the following: education on fibromyalgia and/or |
| affect how you move. They have completed | | | | chronic myofascial pain; medication; nutritional |
| training in the medical specialty physical medicine | | | | supplements; a pain management program (i.e., |
| and rehabilitation (PM&R). | | | | moist heat, bioelectric therapy, ultrasound, and |
| Fibromyalgia Syndrome is characterized by tight, | | | | more); exercise (only after pain is decreased) |
| tender muscles, usually sore points in the neck, | | | | which consists of postural stretches, light aerobic |
| shoulders, chest, back, knees and hips. Insomnia, | | | | conditioning, and toning exercises; manual therapy |
| depression, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, | | | | which includes therapeutic massage, myofascial |
| restless legs syndrome, interstitial cystitis, mitral | | | | release, soft tissue mobilization, and adjustments; |
| valve prolapse, cognitive dysfunction and more, | | | | relaxation (deep breathing exercises, guided |
| are often associated with this condition. | | | | imagery, biofeedback, Yoga, Tai Chi); home |
| Fibromyalgia is chronic. Myofascial pain, though | | | | program - once what works best is discovered, |
| somewhat different, often accompanies FM. | | | | the patient will need to follow through with a |
| Myofascial trigger points are taut bands or knots | | | | home program on a regular basis. |
| in the fascia that surrounds the muscle and every | | | | Always talk to your doctor before starting a new |
| organ of the body. Chronic myofascial pain is a | | | | therapy or treatment regimen! Together, you |
| debilitating disease (once also identified as a | | | | can decide what will work best for you. Ask |
| syndrome). | | | | your primary caregiver about physiatry and how |
| Physiatrists may prescribe drugs or devices, such | | | | it might benefit you! It’s time to start |
| as a brace. They also use a variety of therapies | | | | feeling better and living again! |
| such as heat and cold, biofeedback, | | | | |