When you are in pain and experiencing a medical condition it can be hard to know which type of specialist to see. Within medicine there are many different disciplines and specialties. While referrals can help you find the right doctor to address your symptoms, it can also slow you down on your path to healing. In this post we will highlight physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, also referred to as PM&R physicians and physiatrists, what they do, what they diagnose, and when to see one.

The spine is one of the most important structures of the body. It provides support to the upper body, and head, and houses the spinal cord through which our brain sends signals and messages throughout the body. As we age, the spine, like any other boney structure of the body, experiences wear and tear. As we age this wear and tear can lead to pain along the spine. Back and neck pain impairs the daily lives and functions of many adults. Back and neck pain can be caused by a number of conditions. Amongst these conditions is spinal stenosis.

Back pain plagues the daily lives of many Americans. Studies show that 80 percent of the US population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Often back pain is accompanied by other aches and pains, including neck pain. When seeking relief, the issue lies in diagnosing the specific cause of the pain. If you’ve been struggling with chronic or worsening neck and/or back pain, it’s time to see an orthopaedic specialist. Among the conditions that may be responsible for your pain is a condition called facet arthropathy.

Have you been plagued by chronic sharp, burning, or aching pain? If so, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine over 100 million Americans struggle with chronic pain conditions. Chronic pain is defined as pain persisting for 12 weeks or longer. Unfortunately, the root cause of many chronic pain conditions remains unknown. Amongst the many conditions that can cause chronic pain is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

How many times have you heard someone complain about their “bad back”? Back pain stops many people from performing and enjoying simple everyday activities; from sports, lifting groceries or grandchildren, to sleeping comfortably. “Bad backs” seem so ubiquitous, that many assume it’s just another side effect of getting old. While some amount of aches and pains can be expected with ageing, chronic back pain can seriously impact the quality of life in all ages.

It can be hard to hold your head high when you constantly suffer from neck pain. A crick in the neck, or a stiff and aching neck can make your day miserable. If you suffer from chronic neck pain, it can seriously affect your work, free time, and everyday life.

From counting sheep to extra cups of coffee—not getting a proper night’s sleep is a drag. We’ve all experienced a night of not enough or bad quality sleep. The next day tends to involve plenty of yawns, clouded thinking, a lack of motivation, and daydreams of returning to bed. In other words, you aren’t your best self when you’re tired, and science backs this up.

Our busy lives take a toll on our bodies, and in particular our joints. The ankle joint takes a significant amount of the stress of everyday movement as it is vital to supporting and distributing bodyweight.