What is the difference between physiatrist and physical therapist

Posted by Bobby Stephenson. If you have mobility limitations after an injury or medical event, your healthcare team may recommend visits with both a physiatrist and physical therapist to get you moving again. Can I just go to one or the other, rather than both? Both physiatrists and physical therapists use their medical expertise to help restore your movement, prevent injury, and improve your overall health.

Though their end goal may be similar, the differences between the two professions are markedly different and involve separate modes of care. The first major difference between physiatrists and physical therapists is their medical training. A physiatrist is a licensed, board-certified medical doctor who has completed medical school and a required internship and residency. A physical therapist completes a three-year post-graduate degree in physical therapy and must earn their certification.

They also have an intimate understanding about how the nervous, cardiovascular, and other systems affect the musculoskeletal system. Physical therapists use advanced tools like traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS , but they must refer you to your physiatrist who can administer prescription-level therapies.

If you have complicated medical needs, you'll appreciate having a physiatrist at hand. A physiatrist takes the leading role in diagnosing, treating, and managing musculoskeletal issues. Your MD designs a comprehensive treatment plan based on their findings, oversees its execution, and assesses its effectiveness.

They check in with you and your physical therapist at intervals during your inpatient stay to make sure their plan is working. Your physical therapist is responsible for executing the treatment plan provided by your physiatrist. Furthermore, a physiatrist will manage other co-morbid conditions e. Within this new vision, are 3 themes which help better define the specialty and its role in the future of medicine.

Physiatrists are the essential medical experts in value-based evaluation, diagnosis, and management of neuromusculoskeletal and disabling conditions. Physiatrists are indispensable leaders in directing rehabilitation and recovery , and in preventing injury and disease. Physiatrists are vital in optimizing outcomes and function early and throughout the continuum of patient care. Physiatrists can also monitor the patient's overall health, adjusting the rehabilitation plan to allow for medical factors such as chronic pain, high blood pressure or risk of heart attack.

Physical therapists are responsible for executing and refining the patient's rehabilitation plan. They use a variety of equipment and exercises to strengthen their patients' musculature, improve flexibility and restore their dexterity.

Therapists can target specialized groups of muscles through carefully selected exercises, compensating for weakened or impaired musculature or joints. In some cases the goal is to restore the patient to full function after an acute illness or injury. With chronic illnesses or the elderly, therapy can provide improved mobility and quality of life as well as a useful measure of exercise.

Physical therapists and physiatrists share much of the same knowledge and training, but their roles are clearly differentiated.

As doctors, physiatrists benefit from longer and deeper training in the human body and its functions. They're able to prescribe medications, and recognize other medical conditions that can potentially affect the patient's health. They're responsible for planning and overseeing the treatment, and collaborating as needed with the patient's other physicians and caregivers.

The physical therapist is responsible for carrying out the physiatrist's planned course of therapy, providing emotional support as well as hands-on coaching.