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The History of Physiatry
The roots of PM&R date back to the use of physical
agents such as the sun's heat and hot springs for medicinal purposes in
early recorded history. The field began in the 1930s to address
musculoskeletal and neurological problems, but broadened its scope
considerably after World War II. As thousands of veterans returned to the United States with serious
disabilities, the task of helping to restore them to productive lives became a
new direction for the field. The Advisory Board of Medical Specialties granted
PM&R its approval as a specialty of medicine in 1947.S
Dr. Howard A. Rusk, one of the specialty's pioneers,
described three phases of medical care-preventive medicine, curative medicine
and surgery, and rehabilitation. He stated that the third phase was not to be
one of passive convalescence, but of active training to regain and maximize
functional abilities to achieve greater independence and quality of life.
Hence, the raison d'être of this specialty. Since Dr. Rusk's early
observations, the application of rehabilitation principles has expanded to
where they are often included in the preventive and curative phases of medical
care.
Restore Maximum Function
Physiatrists
treat conditions of the bones, muscles, joints, brain, and nervous
system, which can affect other systems of the body and limit a person's
ability to function. Here are examples of how physiatrists
restore maximum function
.A
life-long runner who complains of new onset foot pain. A
carpenter with pain in his lower back and down his leg with heavy
lifting. A woman with a spinal cord injury and paralysis below
the waist after a diving accident. A baby born with cerebral
palsy.
Diagnostic Tools Physiatrists Use
The
PM&R physician is very skilled in performing musculoskeletal and
neurologic examinations. Aside from the history and physical that are
the foundation of any patient evaluation, the physiatrist is also
trained to utilize laboratory investigations and imaging studies,
particularly of the musculoskeletal and central nervous systems.
The
PM&R physician is very skilled in performing musculoskeletal and
neurologic examinations. Aside from the history and physical that are
the foundation of any patient evaluation, the physiatrist is also
trained to utilize laboratory investigations and imaging studies,
particularly of the musculoskeletal and central nervous systems.
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