Physiatry

When a child has a condition that can benefit from physiatry, the sooner they get started, the better. It is possible to make tremendous strides in a child’s condition, whether they suffer from a temporary or chronic issue, by starting physical medicine early on.

For more on East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s physiatry services, call (865) 690-5006 to contact Dr. Carrie Jones.

What is a Physiatrist?

Physiatrists are medical doctors who have completed training in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), and may be certified in a number of other sub-specialties. They treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

Conditions that can benefit from physical medicine include:

Cerebral palsy
Spina Bifida
Brain injuries
Congenital conditions
Cancer
Cystic Fibrosis
Chronic pains

Even for conditions that cannot be cured, such as cerebral palsy, physical therapy can make a tremendous difference in the child’s life. By learning exercises and techniques to overcome their condition at a young age, patients can both prevent their situation from deteriorating and develop new skills that allow them greater independence and quality of life.

Treatments Customized for Each Patient

When providing children with physical medicine, we want to help them accomplish tasks that are important to them. By working with the child, we learn more about their hobbies, interests, and aspirations and develop a treatment plan that will make it easier for them to do all the things they want to do in life. Many of the exercises and treatments we develop are designed to appeal to the child’s interest and feel more like a game than a chore. This will make it easier for them to keep up the exercises on their own and make continuous improvements in their condition.