Physical Medicine

Physical medicine doctors (also known as physiatrists or physiologists) at PeaceHealth help patients with life-altering muscle, bone, soft tissue or nervous system problems. This includes recovery from a medical disorder, injury or surgery.

Using therapy, medicines and pain management techniques, the goal is to reduce pain, enhance quality of life and restore function and mobility. With plans tailored to your needs, the physiology team can address medical, occupational, social or emotional concerns.

Physical medicine services at PeaceHealth

PeaceHealth offers you choices close to home.

On-site rehabilitation services

If physical therapy and rehabilitation [Link to physical therapy and rehab page] is parrt of your treatment plan, you Can get it all in one location. For your convenience, we offer both inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient services.

Coordinated care with multiple departments

To make sure your care process is seamless, we coordinate with your referring specialists — whether they are a cancer, neurology, orthopedic or another specialist.

Open communication and clear goals

Your team works with you to help you understand your treatment plan and goals. Beyond physical care, we offer patient education and family support, and we’ll help you set clear, realistic goals.

Conditions We Treat

Brain and spine injuries (physical medicine)

Physiatrists evaluate and treat patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions, as well as those with spinal cord injuries and spine fractures. 

Cancer (physical medicine)

Physiatrists help address pain, lymphedema (swelling from lymph node damage), trouble with eating and other side effects from cancer treatment. 

Chronic pain

Dealing with chronic pain can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Behavioral health support can help you cope with chronic pain caused from headaches, fibromyalgia and more.

Neurological disorders (physical medicine)

We treat conditions that affect the brain or spine, and the nerves that connect them. These include stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), peripheral nerve disorders and Parkinson’s disease.

Orthopedic and sports injuries (physical medicine)

Orthopedic conditions and sports-related injuries we treat include fractures, joint issues, post-surgery (including amputation and joint replacement) or knee injuries like ACL.

Spasticity and related issues (physical medicine)

Spasticity is when muscles are tense or can’t stop contracting due to an autoimmune or neuromuscular disorder such as cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS) or muscular dystrophy (MD).

Surgical conditions (physical medicine)

Getting back on your feet is key to healing after surgery. We help you regain strength, reduce scar tissue and improve function after surgery, including heart or lung surgery.

Treatments Provided

Bracing, orthotics and prosthetics (physical medicine)

We offer a wide range of bracing, orthotics and prosthetics for your specific condition. These can include splints, supports and inserts that help improve stability, align or correct movements and reduce pain. Prosthetic devices aid movement and replace missing limbs after an injury or surgery.

Electrodiagnostic testing

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) test muscle and nerve responses. An EMG uses small electrodes to turn your body’s electrical signals into a graph that’s read by a specialist.

Pain management (physical medicine)

You have options other than medicines for treating chronic pain. These include botulinum toxin injections (relaxes muscles), platelet-rich plasma or PRP injections (uses your own blood to promote healing) and other nonsurgical techniques.

Therapy and rehabilitation (physical medicine)

You will have a tailored recovery plan that gives you the power to heal better and faster. This may include physical, occupational and speech therapy, or specialized therapies developed for your specific condition. We also provide adaptive equipment (used in daily activities like teeth brushing) and help with goal setting.