What is a Physiatrist?

A physiatrist practices in the field of physiatry – also called physical medicine and rehabilitation – which is a branch of medicine that specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease primarily using “physical” means, such as physical therapy and medications. Essentially, physiatrists specialize in a wide variety of treatments for the musculoskeletal system – the muscles, bones, and associated nerves, ligaments, tendons, and other structures – and the musculoskeletal disorders that cause pain and/or difficulty with functioning. Physiatrists do not perform surgery.