Physiatry (fi-zahy-uh-tree), also referred to as physical medicine and rehabilitation, encompasses the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disabilities or injuries related to the brain, nerves, bones and muscles. The goal of this specialty is to maximize physical functioning, greatly decrease or eliminate pain, foster independence and improve quality of life for those suffering with a disability, chronic pain and physical impairments.
Who Is It for?
Physiatry can help patients with functional deficits and secondary medical conditions as a result of the following:
Amputation
Brain Injury
Osteoarthritis
Spasticity and Movement Disorders
Spinal Cord Injury
Spine Pain
Sports-Related Injuries
Stroke
Some of these medical conditions can often cause chronic pain or impede physical functioning, ultimately affecting a person’s overall well-being and making it difficult for them to sustain a desired quality of life.
Is Physiatry Right for You?
If you're struggling with constant pain and discomfort, mobility or activities of daily living, talk to your provider about a referral to the Renown Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic or call 775-982-3608.
When it comes to needing a plan to work towards healing certain health ailments, physiatrists are experts in establishing conservative, non-surgical treatment plans. They collaborate with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists to optimize patient care. Rather than just treating a problem area, they treat the whole person.
“By listening to the patient’s story and functional goals, we can develop a multifaceted approach to help them overcome their health obstacles and lead a more fulfilling livelihood,” says Casey Keating, MD, a physiatrist with Renown Medical Group - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. “As physiatrists, we understand that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes recovery. We come up with a plan of action customized to meet your needs.”
Types of Treatments
A physiatrist can perform and prescribe the following treatments and tests:
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, designed to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and recognize the importance of brain health.
Department Spotlight: Inpatient Rehab Hospital Therapy
Take a moment to think about your favorite hobby. Perhaps you enjoy going for walks or runs. Maybe you prefer painting or singing. Or you might like playing video games or doing jigsaw puzzles. Whatever hobby you love surely brings joy to your life, right?
Now, imagine you suffered a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, a broken hip, a limb amputation or another physical health obstacle. You notice that it is more difficult to participate in your favorite pastimes. And beyond that, even the activities of daily living are now a struggle – getting dressed, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, the list goes on.
But guess what? There is a care team whose sole purpose is to help you regain the independence and confidence you need to embrace your life once again and return to a sense of normalcy.
Meet the Inpatient Rehab Hospital Therapy (RRH Therapy) department at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. Whether it’s helping a patient learn to walk again or showing them how they can cook and clean in a new and accessible way, these tenacious rehab therapy technicians, occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), recreation therapy specialists, speech language pathologists and OT/PT assistants will stop at nothing to ensure their patients stay on the road to recovery.
A New Therapy Garden: Enhancing Recovery at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
Last fall, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital unveiled the Rehabilitation Therapy Garden, supported by the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation, a space designed to support rehabilitation patients on their path to recovery. Made possible through the generosity of donors, this innovative garden provides therapeutic tools to help individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life.
"If a patient is recovering from a spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain injury, they might face challenges like stairs, ramps, and uneven surfaces for the first time. Without training, these obstacles can be hard to navigate. The Rehabilitation Therapy Garden gives patients and their families the chance to practice and gain the skills they need to move confidently in the community and become more independent,” said Shawn Morris, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital Director of Rehab Operations.
One of the garden’s highlights is a wheelchair course with ramps of varying difficulty, allowing patients to practice navigating different terrains. This hands-on therapy is essential for those recovering from strokes, brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, or trauma. It builds strength, mobility, and confidence by simulating real-world challenges in a safe and supportive environment. “The garden is great, it’s all set up to practice things like stairs and ramps, plus it’s nice to look at,” said a patient at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital.
