Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

What is rehabilitation ?

Rehabilitation is a relatively new branch of medicine and is not as well known as other traditional branches.

Though the aim of all medical practioners is to prevent diseases as far as possible, not all diseases can be prevented while some diseases can be treated to a state of recovery palliative treatment can be given for others.

There are some diseases which result in a one time which is non progressive. Some examples of such diseases are Traumatic brain injury, Stroke, Cerebral palsy, Traumatic spinal cord injury, Amputation, Neuromuscular diseases, Arthiritis.

The aim of rehabilitation is to look beyond the disability and harvest the ability of the individual to make him independent as possible in various domains such as mobility activities of daily living such as feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, sexual activity, vocation community reintegration etc.

Making them independent will require intensive physical training to strengthen weak muscles, maintain range of movement in joints, use of assistive devices such as canes / crutches and arthritis which support or align weak limbs. Use of wider handles for hands to maintain correct position / omprove grip. Some individuals who do not have adequate strength may need prescription of an appropriate wheel chair while some may benefit from medications / short surgical procedures.

Rehabilitation is a team effort with Physiatrist, Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist, Speech therapist, Prosthetist & Orthotist, Social worke and Rehabilitation nurse.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) specializes in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system.

A physiatrist's treatment focuses on helping the patient become as functional and pain-free as possible in order to participate in and enjoy life as fully as possible.

With the use of physical agents and therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation can help patients in the following ways to:

• reduce pain
• improve quality of life for those with temporary or severe impairment
• learn how to use assistive devices (e.g., braces, wheelchairs, etc.)