Frequently Asked Questions

Your physiatrist is an expert in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and generally has further specialization in your specific type of injury. That allows him or her to lead a multi-disciplinary team of expert to develop a treatment plan that will help you recover faster and more fully.

Every injury is different, but recovery typically happens in three phases: acute, sub-acute, and remodeling.

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, your physiatrist will put together an interdisciplinary team that can include everything from other medical specialists to physical therapists, counselors, speech pathologists and psychologists.

The goal of treatment is to mitigate pain from your injury in the safest and most effective way possible. Your physiatrist will work with you and other doctors to determine the best course of treatment—which may or may not include pain medication.

Again, it depends on the injury. Some injuries resolve in a matter of weeks or months, while others may persist for years and require more intensive rehabilitation. The purpose of any treatment is to help you heal as fully as possible in the shortest possible timeframe.

Getting patients Dzback to normaldz after an injury is always the goal, and many injuries heal fully with no long-term effects. However, other, more severe injuries can persist over a lifetime.

As part of your treatment, your physiatrist will track your recovery and let you know your prognosis—what kind of an outcome and timeline you can expect based on your individual situation.

Some injuries require long-term care and treatment. Your physiatrist will recommend specialists for your specific needs and can also refer you to sources that can provide financial assistance and counseling for you and your family members.

Use our locator to find your local physiatrist, contact us, or ask for a referral from your primary care physician.

Contact us or post your question to our forum and we’ll do our best to answer it as quickly as possible.