Several years ago, a medical journal published an issue dedicated to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The cover title read "Adding Life to Years" -- a very apt description of our mission.

Palo Alto Clinic
795 El Camino Real
Level 3, Lee Building
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Department phone: 650-853-2990
Main phone: 650-321-4121
Map | Directions | Floor Plan

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

---

Fremont Center
3200 Kearney Street
Fremont, CA 94538
Main phone: 510-490-1222
Map | Directions | Floor Plan

Call for an appointment.

What is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

Also known as PM&R or physiatry, our specialty treats a wide spectrum of disabling injuries and illnesses, primarily neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders. Among the conditions we handle are lower back and neck pain, upper extremity repetitive strain injuries, stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury. Treatment of such conditions requires that we have an understanding of several other specialties, including rheumatology, neurology, orthopedics and sports medicine.

The major goal of physiatric treatment is to restore function and thereby improve quality of life, even if there is no definitive cure for the underlying condition. We emphasize functional progress - such as improvement in movement or strength - as well as techniques to reduce the impact of pain and other disabling symptoms. When injuries affect patients' ability to work, we strive to keep them working in a modified capacity, which often makes overall recovery easier.

We use many types of treatment to restore function, including:

• Pain control measures to help patients participate more fully in the rehabilitation program
  
• Electrical stimulation
  
• Acupuncture for select conditions
  
• Therapeutic injections to control pain and inflammation
  
• Therapeutic exercise to re-gain flexibility, strength and endurance

The PM&R Department is also equipped to perform a type of neuromuscular testing known as electrodiagnosis (EMG), which is used to diagnose neuromuscular conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a pinched spinal nerve. EMG testing measures the electrical function of muscles and nerves, then correlates this information with other data such as anatomic images obtained through X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Recommended Web Links

Electromyography (EMG), (HealthWise Knowledgebase)

Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Last accessed January 2008.

Back to top