Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists) have a broad range of knowledge including the musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatologic and cardiovascular systems.
Our outpatient physiatrists diagnose and provide non-surgical treatments for disease and injuries of the bones, muscles and nervous system. They provide specialized care focused on functional needs through physical modalities including therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and ultrasound, medical management including interventional injection procedures, and alternative treatments including acupuncture. They will collaborate with other healthcare professionals to find a treatment plan that fits your specific needs.
Physiatrists also provide electrodiagnostic medicine evaluations for nerve and muscle conditions, which often involve symptoms of weakness, tingling, and/or burning pain. Common conditions evaluated by this test include peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve trauma, and radiculopathy (radiating neck and back pain).
Prospective patients will need to contact their primary care manager for a referral.
Hours of Operations:
Monday thru Wednesday, Friday: 0700 to 1600
Thursday: 0900 to 1600
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Federal Holidays: Closed
List of Services Provided:
Our board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians provide specialized care and patient education for the following outpatient services:
- Exercise and sports-related injuries
- Arthritis management
- Spine medicine
- Interventional pain therapies (injections)
- Electrodiagnostic studies
- Spasticity management
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Integrative medicine (osteopathic manipulation and acupuncture)
- Work injuries
- Disability/return-to-work evaluations
How to make an appointment
Contact your primary care manager for a referral. Then call Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Clinic at 808-433-5232 to schedule you appointment.
FAQ's:
Q: How do I prepare for my appointment with PM&R?
A: If you are coming for an electrodiagnostic evaluation, please do not apply any creams or lotions to your extremities the day of your appointment. These can interfere with the ability to perform the testing. Depending on the location of your symptoms, you are asked to wear or bring the appropriate attire for the test; a short-sleeve shirt if you have symptoms in your arms, or shorts if you have symptoms in your legs. If needed, you will be provided the opportunity to change into the appropriate clothing during the appointment.
Q: What is an EMG, nerve conduction test, or electrodiagnostic study, and what should I expect at my appointment with PM&R?
A: An electrodiagnostic (EDX) study is an outpatient procedure and it consists of two parts: the nerve conduction study (NCS) and the electromyogram (EMG). The EDX study helps to detect the presence, location, and extent of disease or injuries that affect the nerves and muscles.
During the NCS, two surface electrodes are placed over the skin in the area of the tested nerve. The nerve is stimulated by a probe supplying a short, static shock-like electrical impulse to create electrical activity in the nerve that is ultimately recorded by the surface electrodes. This is repeated for each nerve being tested.
During the EMG, a small needle is inserted through the skin into the muscle. The needle is able to pick up the electrical activity of the muscle. The electrical activity is measured at rest, during slight contraction, and forceful contraction. This process is repeated with various muscles in the extremity depending on the patient complaint/symptoms. There may be some discomfort at the time the needle electrodes are inserted, and, afterwards, the muscle may feel a little sore for up to a few days.
Q: What are the most common medical conditions treated by a physiatrist?
A: Our physiatrists diagnose and treat a variety of patients with many types of disorders such as:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Strokes
- Brain injuries
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Sports injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel
- Herniated disc
- Pinched nerve in the neck or back
- Sciatica
- Work injuries
- Amputees
Q: How do physiatrists differ from physical therapists?
A: Physiatrists are medical doctors who have gone through medical school and have completed further training in the specialty field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists diagnose illnesses, devise treatment regimens, prescribe medications, and perform interventional injection procedures. Physiatrists create exercise and treatment programs tailored to the patients’ needs that are utilized by therapists.
We accept customer satisfaction feedback through our FOCUS "For Our Customer's Ultimate Satisfaction" Cards (located throughout the hospital) and through our Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) site located on the Internet at
http://ice.disa.mil. If you have any questions, you may contact our
Customer Relations office.