Q: What is Physiatry?

A: Physiatry is the official name for the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  This medical field is focused on function and quality of life.  Much of a Physiatrist's education is focused in the areas of Neurology and Orthopedics, with training in Sports Medicine, Amputation, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Chronic Pain-Fibromyalgia and Occupational Injury; just to name a few areas.  They are highly skilled in physical and bio-mechanical examinations.  Physiatrists are adept at electromyographic diagnostic examinations.

The focus of Treating a Patient in PM&R is to address medical, functional, psychological, social and vocational areas.  With the patient as a pivotal player, the physiatrist will work in a team effort with primary physicians, surgeons, specialists, physical, occupational, vocational and speech therapists to perfrom diagnostic studies, maintain appropriate care, and advocate functional gains.  When people have trouble adjusting to a disability, the need for psychological and/or home health support is added to the team model.

Q: What is Osteopathy?

A: Osteopathy is a field of medical practice.  the Osteopathic physician undergoes the same education as any physician who prescribes medication and performs surgery.  The only difference in designation for an Osteopathic Physician from and Allopathic Physician is the insignia of DO instead of and MD.  The Osteopathic philosophy believes in treating a patient as a whole person, and is open to alternate forms of treatment.  Although it was not always so, the total patient view has gained prominence in the allopathic world. 

Andrew Taylor Still was the founder of the term Osteopathy.  He built the first school in Kirksville, MO just before the turn of the 20th Century.  In his teachings, he advocated the use of manipulation.  The act of "bone setting" (known as high velocity, low amplitude) is only one type of manipulation.  Osteopaths are trained in many forms of manipulation.  Some continue on into fellowships and have practices based on it.  Dr. Still also devised the Osteopathic Oath.  It is a combination of the Hippocratic oath and the Oath of Maimonides.