FAQ about Physiatry

What is a physiatrist?

Simply put, a physiatrist (fiz-EYE-a-trist), also known as a rehabilitation physician, is a medical doctor who is an expert at diagnosing and restoring function for people with injuries or illness.

Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. These physicians have completed training in the medical specialty Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). By taking the whole body into account, they are able to accurately pinpoint problems, decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery.

Rehabilitation physicians treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. Physicians take the time needed to find the source of an ailment. They then design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of the rehabilitation physician’s medical team. This medical team could include other physicians and health professionals, such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists.

By providing an appropriate treatment plan, rehabilitation physicians help patients stay as active as possible at any age. Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.

How can a physiatrist help you?

A physiatrist can:

• Restore maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions
• Treat the whole person, not just the problem area
• Lead a team of medical professionals
• Provide non-surgical treatments
• Explain your medical problems and treatment plan
• Work not only on treatment but also on prevention

What makes Premier Spine, Pain & Rehabilitation Different from Other Practices?

Dr. Overton believes interventional pain management medicine involves a multidisciplinary approach in which a team of health care professionals, including the patient’s primary physician, works together to provide a full range of treatments and services for patients suffering from acute or chronic pain.

The goals of interventional pain management are to relieve, reduce, or manage pain and to improve a patient's overall quality of life through minimally invasive techniques and non-operative care designed to diagnose and treat painful conditions. Interventional pain management also strives to help patients return to their everyday activities quickly and without heavy reliance on medications.

Some states of pain, however, may not respond to interventions and may require chronic opioid therapy. Dr. Overton works closely with primary physicians to recommend a pain management regimen that the patient and the primary physician will be comfortable applying and managing. Dr. Overton will provide comprehensive medical management of musculoskeletal conditions, will coordinate and monitor therapy programs specific to the patient’s diagnosis, and will evaluate the effectiveness of previous therapies.

Why Visit a Physiatrist/Rehabilitation Physician?

Consider seeing a rehabilitation physician if:

• You had an accident or you have an injury or chronic condition that has left you with pain or limited function
• You’re contemplating or recovering from surgery
• You have an illness or treatment for an illness that has diminished your energy or ability to move easily
• You’re recovering from the effects of a stroke or other nerve damage
• You have chronic pain from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or back problems
• You are overweight, which makes it difficult to exercise or has caused other health problems
• You think you’re too old to exercise
• Your natural life changes, such as childbirth or menopause, have created new challenges to your physical function