Everything has a happy ending, just give it some time

Physical Medicine involves use of techniques which stimulate physical abilities of a patient.

These stimulatory techniques may be Neurologic, or Musculo-Skeletal.

These techniques together referred to as Functional Rehabilitation is of great importance.

Rehabilitation not only involves management of cases with neurologic deficits.

It also involve cases, which require Physical Functional Re-education.

One of the most common example is Post-Amputation.

If one of the lower limb is amputated due to some reason, then goal of Rehabilitation is to teach the patient, to continue his/her ADL’s, at least in such a way, so that the patient is not completely dependent on someone.

One of the key protocols include Gait Training using Crutches (Crutch Walking using Axillary/Elbow/Gutter Crutches or Sticks & Walkers)

This involves measurement of the crutch according to the patient, strengthening of the uninvolved parts of the body, as well as counseling.

Counseling is also an essential part of physical rehabilitation, as in managing such cases, there are chances that patient might experience depression, or may indulge in other acts which are socially unacceptable.

Other protocols in Rehabilitation include regimen’s involving patients in certain activities, which stimulate their Limbic System & hence profoundly impact their mood.

A practitioner involved in imparting functional re-education to a patient maybe a Physiotherapist (PT) or any other trained practitioner with a MBBS/MS/MD Degree.

In USA, practitioners involved in physicalmedicine are referred to as “Physiatrist”

By - Dt . Trishala Chopra