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Diseases & Conditions- Adult Health Library
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury What is acquired brain injury? Acquired brain injury (ABI) occurs when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. ABI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that occur to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (occurs in more than one area of the brain). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that...
Amputation
Amputation What is an amputation? Amputation is an acquired condition that results in the loss of a limb, usually from injury, disease, or surgery. Congenital (present at birth) limb deficiency occurs when an infant is born without part or all of a limb. In the U.S., 82 percent of amputations are due to vascular disease. Nearly 70 percent of amputations due to trauma involve the upper limbs. About 2 million individuals in the U.S. are living with a loss of a limb, with more than 185,000 amputations perf...
Audiologist
Audiologist What is an audiologist? Clinical audiologists are health care professionals who measure and evaluate a person's ability to hear sounds, and specialize in the treatment of people with hearing disorders. Audiologists often study and provide guidance for patients and families on the following topics: How language is learned and spoken The anatomy of the human ear, brain, and nerves Causes of hearing loss Aural rehabilitation. This involves techniques for the hearing impaired to improve speaking...
Back and Neck Pain
Back and Neck Pain What is low back pain? Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back. Pain in the lower back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning and quality of life. What is neck pain? Neck pain is pain that occurs in the area of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. Because of its location and range of motion, the neck is often left unprotected and subject to injury. Pain in the back or neck area can be acute, wh...
Burns
Burns What are burns? Burns are a type of traumatic injury caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or electromagnetic energy. Smoking and open flame are the leading causes of burn injury for older adults, while scalding is the leading cause of burn injury for children. Both infants and the elderly are at the greatest risk for burn injury. What are the different types of burns? A burn injury usually results from an energy transfer to the body. There are many types of burns caused by thermal, radiation, ...
Cancer Rehabilitation
Cancer Rehabilitation What is cancer rehabilitation? Cancer rehabilitation is a doctor-supervised program for people who have undergone treatment for cancer, and designed to help patients return to activities of daily living. People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for. Cancer rehabilitation programs can often improve function, reduce pain, and improve the well-being of cancer ...
Chaplain
Chaplain Chaplains serve in many hospital settings, and some are assigned to rehabilitation units. They act as spiritual counselors to help patients, families, and the health care staff members: Through periods of crisis. Reaffirm their spiritual beliefs. Maintain or establish relationships with a church or house of worship. Make daily rounds and on-call 24 hours a day pastoral services. Chaplains may be ordained ministers or priests, or may have attended a chaplaincy or pastoral care program through a ...
Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit/CARF
Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit/CARF Choosing a rehabilitation facility Rehabilitation services are provided in many different places, including the following: Acute care and rehabilitation hospitals Subacute facilities Long-term care facilities In the home by home health agencies Hospitals Inpatient rehabilitation centers Outpatient rehabilitation centers Community health settings Private practice Schools Industrial health centers Veterans Affairs medical centers Military health care centers When invest...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? COPD is a term that refers to a group of lung diseases that can interfere with normal breathing. According to the American Lung Association, more than 13 million Americans suffer from COPD. It is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. What are the different types of COPD? The two most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some doctors agree that asthma should be classified as a chr...
Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain What is pain? Pain is an unpleasant feeling that lets you know that something may be wrong. It is one of the body's warning signals that indicates a problem that needs attention. Pain starts in receptor nerve cells located beneath the skin and in organs throughout the body. When there is an illness, injury, or other type of problem, these receptor cells send messages along nerve pathways to the spinal cord, which then carries the message to the brain. Pain medications work by reducing or bl...
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Social Worker What is a clinical social worker? A clinical social worker is a professional who helps to assess and alleviate problems related to personal, family, or social situations. Clinical social workers are a vital part of the rehabilitation multidisciplinary team, and help provide support for the patient and family, coordinate discharge planning and insurance benefits, and assist with financial problems and family conflicts. The entry level degree is a bachelor's in social work (B.S.W.),...
Community Re-Entry
Community Re-Entry One of the main goals of rehabilitation is to prepare the patient for life after discharge. This includes the following: Adapting to living with a disability Promoting independence Planning for a safe and accessible environment Community re-entry plans are individualized and are based on the patient's physical abilities and needs. Both the patient and family should be involved in planning re-entry into the community. Many times, adjustments, a transitional period, and modifications ne...
Complications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Complications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment During hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), you breathe pure oxygen inside a highly pressured environment. Often, pressure in the chamber is between 1.5 to 3 times greater than normal air pressure. This therapy first made an appearance in the early 19th century. It was later used by undersea medicine specialists to treat deep-sea divers who developed decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." It is now used to treat a number of conditions, from severe bu...
Conditions Commonly Treated By Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Conditions Commonly Treated By Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Acquired Brain Injury Arthritis Burns Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Pain Back and Neck Pain Multiple Sclerosis Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Osteoporosis Amputation Repetitive Motion Injury Sports-Related Injuries
Effects of Rehabilitation on the Family
Effects of Rehabilitation on the Family The patient's family plays a vital part in the rehabilitation process. One of the most important factors in the patient's recovery is family involvement and support. What are the possible effects of disability on the family? Family members are affected by the patient's disability, and, many times, become comanagers of the patient's care. They may experience many changes as a result of the patient's disability. Family members often join the patient in a period of g...
Glossary - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Glossary - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [return to top] accessory movement - joint movements that cannot be performed voluntarily or in isolation by the patient. Achilles tendonitis - Inflammation of the Achilles tendon. activities of daily living (ADLs) - personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, groo...
Home Page - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Topic Index Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Statistics of Disability PM&R Treatment Team Specialized Areas of Rehabilitation Conditions Commonly Treated By PM&R Effects of Rehabilitation on the Family Community Re-Entry Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit / CARF Glossary Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring lost abilities for a person who has been disabled as a result of dise...
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, is a type of treatment used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, stubborn wounds, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen. If you undergo this therapy, you will enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to three times higher than average. The goal is to infuse the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function. Facts about hyperbaric oxygen t...
Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy
Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign, disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be mildly affected, while others may lose their ability to write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. What causes MS? There are many possible causes of MS, including viruses, autoimmune disorders, environ...
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation What is musculoskeletal rehabilitation? A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is a doctor-supervised program designed for people with impairments or disabilities due to disease, disorders, or trauma to the muscles or bones. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can often improve functional capacity, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient. What conditions can benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation? Some of the conditions that may benefit from m...
Neurological Rehabilitation
Neurological Rehabilitation What is neurological rehabilitation? Neurological rehabilitation is a doctor-supervised program designed for people with diseases, trauma, or disorders of the nervous system. Neurological rehabilitation can often improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient. What conditions can benefit from neurological rehabilitation? Injuries, infections, degenerative diseases, structural defects, tumors, and disorders in the circulatory system can impair the...
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist What is an occupational therapist? Occupational therapy is a health care profession that helps people with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. An occupational therapist, or OT, is part of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team and often directs the following types of care: Evaluates children with developmental or neuromuscular problems and helps plan treatments that will help them grow mentally, socially, and ph...
Online Resources - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Online Resources - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condi...
Orthotist and Prosthetist
Orthotist and Prosthetist What is an orthotist? An orthotist is a health care professional who makes and fits braces and splints (orthoses) for patients who need added support for body parts that have been weakened by injury, disease, or disorders of the nerves, muscles, or bones. They work under a doctor's orders to adapt purchased braces or create custom-designed braces. Braces are often named for the body part they support, such as: An AFO brace is an ankle-foot orthosis. A KAFO brace is a knee-ankle...
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease in which there is a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. This process causes weakening of the bones and makes them more likely to break. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. Who is affected by osteoporosis? Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans over the age of 50, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Another 34 million Americans over the age of 50 h...
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Outpatient Rehabilitation When you're recovering from an illness, surgery, or injury, you may need outpatient rehabilitation. This means you'll receive one or more types of therapy after you've been discharged from a hospital or clinic. You may go to an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Or, in some cases, treatment may take place in your home. The goal of this rehab is to help you heal and get back to your everyday activities. Outpatient rehab after an accident or injury As part of your recovery, you ...
Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) What is PM&R? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring function for a person who has been disabled as a result of a disease, disorder, or injury. Physiatry provides integrated, multidisciplinary care aimed at recovery of the whole person by addressing the individual's physical, emotional, medical, vocational, and social needs. A doctor who special...
Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team
Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team What specialists make up the PM&R treatment team? A rehabilitation program is specifically designed for each individual depending on the injury, disorder, or illness. A multidisciplinary team approach for care and service is the basis of rehabilitation treatment. Multidisciplinary refers to the fact that many different disciplines work together toward a common goal. The team is usually directed by a physiatrist, with other specialists playing important roles i...
Patient and Family
Patient and Family The patient and family as rehabilitation team members The patient and family are the most important members of the rehabilitation team. It is vitally important that open and honest communication takes place between the patient, family, and team members to assure the success of the rehabilitation program. Patient and family rights The patient and family are entitled to certain rights during the rehabilitation process, that may include the following: Knowledge of the disability and reha...
Physiatrist
Physiatrist What is physiatry? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is also called physiatry. This medical specialty deals with the evaluation and treatment of patients with a disease, disorder, or injury that impairs normal function. What is a physiatrist? The doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation is called a physiatrist. Physiatrists complete four years of medical school, plus an additional four years of residency training. Many physiatrists complete fellowship trai...
Physical Rehabilitation at the Hospital
Physical Rehabilitation at the Hospital If you are in the hospital recovering from surgery, healing from an injury, or being treated for a disabling medical condition, physical rehabilitation may be an important part of your treatment. Physical medicine and rehabilitation, or simply rehab, is a branch of medicine called physiatry. Physical therapy You may need this type of treatment for any condition that affects your nerves, muscles, bones, or brain and is causing you temporary or permanent disability....
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist What is a physical therapist? Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the evaluation, management, and prevention of disorders of human motion. Physical therapists, or PTs, are important members of the rehabilitation team. They evaluate and provide treatment for persons with health problems and disabilities resulting from injury, disease, overuse of muscles or tendons, pain, or loss of a body part. Physical therapy treatments and services focus on restoring the indivi...
PM and R Treatment Team
PM and R Treatment Team There are many specialists on the physical medicine and rehabilitation healthcare team. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team Patient and Family Physiatrist Rehabilitation Nurse Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech / Language Pathologist Audiologist Clinical Social Worker Chaplain Recreational Therapist Registered Dietitian Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist Respirato...
Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist
Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist What is a psychologist? Psychologists work with the rehabilitation team to help meet the emotional, behavioral, and psychological needs of the patient and family. They are not medical doctors, but have earned a PhD. Psychologists help: Counsel patients and families during times of stress, grief, and loss Identify strengths and behaviors that can help the patient succeed in rehabilitation Assess and treat for cognitive and behavioral problems, and plan be...
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation What is pulmonary rehabilitation? Pulmonary rehabilitation is a doctor-supervised program for people who have chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, (such as cystic fibrosis or sarcoidosis), thoracic cage abnormalities, neuromuscular diseases, or lung tumors. The program is also often used before and after lung surgery. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can often i...
Recreation Therapist
Recreation Therapist What is a recreational therapist? Recreation therapy is a planned, organized, and therapeutic recreation program designed to help patients develop social skills and learn to participate in leisure group activities. The focus of recreational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities involves the following: Involving the patient in leisure activities Developing or restore social functions Preventing loss of physical capacities Programs are designed to meet the patients' cap...
Registered Dietitian
Registered Dietitian Registered dietitians, or nutritionists, assess and provide for the nutritional needs of the patient with a disability. They assist the physician and provide a treatment plan which may include the following: Ideal body weight, caloric, and dietary needs Foods that help facilitate swallowing Special diets Dietary modifications that need to be made as a result of the disability Tube feeding formulas and schedules for patients who are unable to swallow Patient and family education on n...
Rehabilitation Case Manager
Rehabilitation Case Manager What is a rehabilitation case manager? A rehabilitation case manager is a trained professional who helps to plan, organize, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate services and resources for a rehabilitation patient. Case managers usually do not provide actual, direct, patient care, but may work either as part of the rehabilitation team (internal case manager) or for the patient's insurance company (external case manager). A case manager is responsible for ensuring quality and cost...
Rehabilitation Nurse
Rehabilitation Nurse What is a rehabilitation nurse? The rehabilitation nurse is a nurse who specializes in assisting persons with disabilities and chronic illness to attain optimal function, health, and adapt to an altered lifestyle. Rehabilitation nurses assist patients in their move toward independence by setting realistic goals and treatment plans. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team and often coordinate patient care and team activities. Rehabilitation nurses may practice in a variety of s...
Repetitive Motion Injury
Repetitive Motion Injury What is a repetitive motion injury (repetitive stress injury)? Repetitive motion injuries, also called repetitive stress injuries, are temporary or permanent injuries to muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons caused by performing the same motion over and over again. A common repetitive motion injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. This disorder occurs when the median nerve, which travels from the forearm to the hand through a "tunnel" in the wrist, is compressed by swollen, inflamed...
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapist What is a respiratory therapist? Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who help treat and restore function for patients with airway and breathing problems. They often assess and treat patients with the following conditions: Tracheostomy tubes (a special type of breathing tube for patients unable to breathe through their mouth and nose) and oxygen therapy Ventilators (machines that breathe for patients with certain conditions, such as spinal cord inj...
Specialized Areas of Rehabilitation
Specialized Areas of Rehabilitation There are many different specialized areas of rehabilitation - each with individual goals and approaches to care. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Cardiac Rehabilitation Pulmonary Rehabilitation Cancer Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Neurological Rehabilitation
Speech/Language Pathologist
Speech/Language Pathologist What is a speech/language pathologist? Speech/language pathologists specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating people with communication problems that result from disability, surgery, or developmental disorders. They are also instrumental in preventing disorders related to speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, and fluency. This includes both receptive (understanding speech) and expressive (speaking) communication problems. They also evaluate and treat peopl...
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury What is an acute spinal cord injury? Click Image to Enlarge The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that can either result in a bruise (also called a contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear (called a transection) in the spinal cord. SCI is more common in men and young adults. There are about 12,000 new cases of SCI each year. The number of people in the U....
Sports-Related Injuries
Sports-Related Injuries Most sports injuries are due to either trauma or overuse of muscles or joints. The majority are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, or tendons including: Contusions (bruises) Sprains Strains The most commonly sprained or strained joint is the ankle. What is a contusion? A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue often produced by a blunt force such as a kick, fall, or blow. The immediate result will be pain, swelling, and discoloration. What is a sprain...
Statistics of Disability
Statistics of Disability According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, a person has a disability when he or she has difficulty with any of the following: Normal body functions, such as seeing, hearing, talking, or walking Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing or dressing Certain expected roles, such as doing housework, schoolwork, or working at a job Performing usual activities, such as driving or taking a bus Statistics related to disability Approximately 54 million people in the US have s...
Stroke
Stroke What is stroke? Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells begin to di...
Topic Index - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Topic Index - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Home Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Statistics of Disability PM&R Treatment Team Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team Patient and Family Physiatrist Rehabilitation Nurse Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech / Language Pathologist Audiologist Clinical Social Worker Chaplain Recreational Therapist Registered Dietitian Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist Resp...
Vocational Counselor
Vocational Counselor What is a vocational counselor? Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in planning careers, and finding and keeping satisfying jobs. They evaluate the patient for the following: Education and job training history prior to the disability Skills and training potential since the disability Personal interest and motivation Financial needs Progress after job placement Vocational counselors educate disabled patients about their rights and protection based on ...
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FIND A PHYSICIAN
WELLNESS LECTURES & EVENTS
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Visit Us
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South Lake Tahoe, CA
96150
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