Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physiatrists take a multi-faceted approach to treating and healing

A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor (also called a physiatrist or PM&R doctor) specializes in disorders involving the musculoskeletal and nervous system, and disabilities due to problems such as shortness of breath because of COPD (emphysema) or congestive heart failure (CHF). You may need a PM&R doctor to address weakness and inability to function after heart surgery, after complicated general surgery, or complicated, prolonged hospitalization.

The PM&R physician utilizes a multi-faceted approach including medication, injection therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy to reduce pain, maximize independent function, and improve quality of life.

While focusing on your specific problem, the physiatrist takes a total body, holistic approach to treating the whole person, and thereby promotes overall health and improved function.

Common conditions we treat are diverse, but include pinched nerves in the neck, low back or limbs, osteoarthritis of the joints, neuromuscular disease and generalized weakness or deconditioning.

PM&R doctors also perform EMG/nerve conduction studies to diagnose nerve entrapment and neuromuscular disease.

Bryn Mawr Rehab provides inpatient and outpatient rehab services at all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center (Wynnewood), Bryn Mawr, Paoli and Riddle (Media) hospitals—all conveniently located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Some services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy are also provided at outpatient therapy locations throughout the region.