Why choose Geisinger for physical medicine and rehabilitation?
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, focuses on helping people improve function, mobility and quality of life after injury, illness or the onset of a chronic condition. PM&R physicians are specialists in diagnosing and managing conditions that affect movement, pain and daily function.
PM&R physicians work closely with our physical, occupational and speech therapy teams to provide coordinated, patient-centered care. Together, they help identify barriers to function, establish meaningful goals and guide treatment recommendations that support recovery and independence.
Whether you're recovering from a stroke, managing chronic pain, living with a spinal cord injury or working to reach developmental milestones, our interdisciplinary team is committed to helping you achieve your highest level of function and participation in daily life.
Treatments and services we offer
Conditions we help treat
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FAQs
What’s physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)?
PM&R is a medical specialty that helps you regain function after an injury, illness or surgery. It’s also called physiatry.
PM&R doctors (physiatrists) treat conditions affecting your muscles, bones, joints and nerves, including your brain. Their goal is to help you move, work and live as fully as possible.
What’s the difference between a PM&R doctor (physiatrist) and a physical therapist?
A PM&R doctor is a medical doctor with specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, perform procedures like injections and design your overall care plan.
A physical therapist is a licensed clinician who works with you on specific exercises and movements to improve strength, mobility and function. They carry out movement programs and hands-on therapy as part of your care.
In practice, the two roles often work together and have the same goals: promoting mobility and restoring function.
What does a PM&R doctor do?
A PM&R doctor or physiatrist assesses, diagnoses and treats conditions that affect movement, function and quality of life. Physiatrists are similar to primary care doctors, because they assess a range of conditions and make referrals to other specialists as needed. They may:
- Order imaging tests
- Prescribe medication
- Perform manual manipulation
- Give pain-relieving injections
- Prescribe exercises or braces
- Prescribe Botox for migraines
- Prescribe Botox for spasticity after stroke
- Refer you to physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy
Who can benefit from PM&R care?
PM&R care helps people of all ages — from infants reaching developmental milestones to adults recovering from a major medical event like a stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. You may need to see a PM&R doctor if you:
- Have lost function or mobility from injury, illness or surgery
- Live with chronic pain that’s affecting your daily life
- Need long-term help managing a condition like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy or arthritis
- Want to avoid surgery and explore noninvasive options first
Do I need a referral for physical medicine and rehabilitation?
Physical medicine and rehabilitation at Geisinger
Whether you're recovering from an injury or have a chronic condition, our PM&R team is with you the whole way. Here's what you'll find:
- A patient-centered approach: While we help you manage pain, our goal is to return you to work, to being independent or to doing what you love. You tell us your specific goals, and we’ll build a plan to get you there.
- Care for all ages: From infants reaching developmental milestones to adults recovering from major injuries or illness, our team treats people at every stage of life.
- Better outcomes for chronic pain: People with chronic pain often report low care satisfaction. Our patients consistently rate their PM&R experience as one of the most positive aspects of their treatment, with satisfaction in the 90th percentile thanks to a coordinated team of specialists.