A physiatrist is a physician who practices medicine in the field of physiatry. Physiatry is also called physical medicine and rehabilitation, which is a board-certified branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases, primarily using "physical" means, such as physical therapy and medications. Physiatrists do not perform surgery.
Physiatrists specialize in a wide variety of treatments for the musculoskeletal system and musculoskeletal disorders that cause pain and/or difficulty with functioning.
A physiatrist is either a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) and may be referred to as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician or a PM&R physician.
