What Wikipedia Says

Given what (still relatively little) I know about physiatrists, I think Wikipedia’s definition will do just fine. Physiatrists are physicians who: 

“specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, and nervous system.” Their emphasis is on the “optimization of function through the combined use of medications, physical modalities, physical training with therapeutic exercise, movement & activities modification, adaptive equipment and assistive device, orthotics (braces), prosthesis, and experiential training approaches.”

A pediatric physiatrist applies the above treatments in attempts to further an individual child’s development and daily function, from bathing and dressing to communication and mobility. The ones I'm most interested in maintain a clinical focus on cerebral palsy and spasticity management. They work closely with pediatric neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuropsychologists and developmental-behavioral pediatricians as needed,  and "fill in the gaps" between neurology, orthopaedics, and general medicine.


Their emphasis seems to be on function, non-surgical care, and on treating the whole child (as opposed to just his or her problem area).


More to come.