Why A Rehabilitation Physician?
Rehabilitation physicians specialize in nerve, muscle, and bone conditions treating injuries that affect how you move. Your rehabilitation physician takes into account the whole body and accurately pinpoints problems and works to enhance your performance without surgery. You should consider a rehabilitation physician if:
- • You've had an accident or injury that's left you with a chronic condition, pain, or limited function ability.
- • You're considering surgery, or have recently had surgery.
- • You have an illness or treatment from and illness that has decreased your energy and ability to move with ease.
- • You have suffered or are recovering from nerve related damage.
- • Excess weight has made it difficult to exercise or has caused you other health problems.
- • You feel you are too old for exercise.
- • Life changing events, such as childbirth or menopause have challenged your physical functions.
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A rehabilitation physician will thoroughly assess your condition, needs, and expectations and rule out any serious medical illnesses to develop a treatment plan. A clear understanding of your condition and limitations will help you and your rehabilitation physician to develop a treatment plan suited to your unique needs.
Tailoring your plan
You need the right type of exercise to effectively overcome fitness obstacles. A runner may have gained weight after being sidelined by a knee injury. A rehabilitation physician can prescribe tailored, low-impact activities that burn calories without aggravating the injury, simultaneously prescribing physical therapy and use of a brace to strengthen and support the knee. Another patient may be suffering from chronic neck pain. The rehabilitation physician might prescribe medication, stretching, and massage for short-term pain relief, as well as strengthening exercises to prevent future pain. If surgery is a necessity, rehabilitation physicians work with patients and their surgeons before and after surgery. By directing your treatment team and collaborating with other health care professionals, a rehabilitation physician is able to specially design a treatment program tailored to you.
Understanding and identifying your goals
Do you want to strengthen an injured muscle, find relief from chronic pain, or walk up the stairs without being winded? A rehabilitation physician can work with you to determine realistic short- and long-term goals. Along the way, he or she will help you to find relief from pain, achieve successes in rehabilitation or exercise programs, overcome your setbacks, and reassess your goals if necessary.
