Male health care provide listening to older male who is sitting on exam table holding his back with his left hand.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Count on Avera’s physical medicine and rehabilitation team to support your transition back into everyday life with less pain and more mobility.

View Providers Find a Location

Physical medicine and rehabilitation experts, also known as physiatrists, treat pain and injuries for people with muscle, joint and neurological disorders. Under our care, your treatment plan is personalized to support your best recovery.

Your primary care or specialty doctor will refer you to see our board-certified, multidisciplinary team for extra help and care for conditions that interfere with how you function day to day.

Helping You Restore Function

Whether your situation is due to an injury, disability or disorder, Avera physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists are here for you. Our physiatrists evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. They have extensive experience helping patients restore independence as best as possible, including those recovering from stroke.

Conditions We Treat 

  • Headache
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, like joint and back pain, and arthritis
  • Neurological conditions, like brain and spinal cord injuries
  • Nerve disorders, like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Post-concussion syndrome
  • Spasticity
  • Seizures and epilepsy
  • Stroke (rehabilitation care)

Aiming Care Around Your Best Recovery

Physical medicine and rehabilitation care takes place in both in the hospital and in outpatient clinic appointments. Well-rounded treatment plans address not just your physical concerns, but also considerations for your emotional, social and work needs.

Specialized Services

  • Acute pain
  • Amputee services, like prosthetics and brace care
  • Electrodiagnostics, such as nerve condition studies and electromyography (EMG)
  • Injections, including spasticity management with BOTOX®
  • Medications, such as muscle relaxers
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pain assessment and recommendations
  • Post-concussion syndrome care
  • Post-rehabilitation care
  • Rehabilitation options
  • Spine care
  • Ultrasound-guided procedures, including joint injections and nerve blocks

Rehabilitation & Recovery Care

Many patients go directly to rehabilitation after being admitted from acute or inpatient hospital care. Your rehab and recovery care team may involve time with Avera specialists such as:

  • Occupational therapists
  • Orthotists
  • Psychologists
  • Physiatrists
  • Physical therapists
  • Psychiatrists and counselors
  • Social workers
  • Speech therapists

Prosthetics & Braces

As part of our multidisciplinary team, Avera orthotic and prosthetic specialists can provide custom-made inserts, spinal bracing and prosthetic devices, personally fitted to you. With our guidance and the right tools, you can return to moving with more independence while staying upright and maintaining balance, stability and comfort.

If you or a loved one has had an amputation or stroke, or uses a prosthetic device or brace, our prosthetics and brace clinic offers personalized care that involves:

  • Assistance with improving activity and quality of life
  • Education on proper use and care of prosthetic or orthotic devices
  • Physical mobility evaluation and needs assessment
  • Recommendations for skin and pain management concerns

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation FAQ

Your provider is your most reliable source for answers. Explore frequently asked questions to learn more.

What does a physical medicine doctor do?

A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, also known as a physiatrist, helps patients with acute pain or limited movement due to an injury or disorder. They evaluate conditions that impair daily functioning and develop treatment plans to both help patients feel better and adapt to the next chapter of their life.

Is physical medicine and rehabilitation care the same as physical therapy?

Both health service areas focus on pain relief, restoring function and improving physical motion. However, they are not the same.

  • Physiatrists evaluate, diagnose and manage conditions during rehabilitation and recovery. They treat everything from traumatic brain injuries and stroke to surgical recovery and activity-related injuries. They refer patients to physical therapists and other specialists, depending on their diagnosis.
  • Physical therapists do not diagnose or prescribe medications to patients, focusing instead on providing hands-on therapy and exercise treatments. They design personalized exercise programs to improve mobility, strength, endurance, coordination and balance.

What are the recovery steps after a stroke?

Recovery time depends on how severe the stroke was and the patient’s overall health. A patient may stay in a hospital for several days or up to a few weeks. Inpatient rehabilitation can take several weeks to a couple months.

While lost brain cells can't be revived, the brain and body can be retrained after a stroke. A stroke patient’s rehabilitation plan includes recovery support with physical exercises, daily life function re-establishment, and speech or cognitive exercises.

What is the goal for a patient who is undergoing physical rehabilitation?

The ultimate goal is to help a patient become as independent as possible during rehabilitation by restoring mobility and relieving pain. Family and caregivers are also crucial to a patient’s recovery, offering stability and familiarity during an uncertain time. Often, stroke patients are motivated by improving their life for loved ones and receiving ongoing encouragement.

More Programs & Services

Balance TherapyIf you feel unsteady because of chronic dizziness or fall frequently, trust our experts to help you find your balance again.
NeurologyOur neurologists provide expert services to treat conditions affecting your nervous system, brain, sleep and spinal health.
Occupational TherapyOccupational therapists assess and develop plans for activities and everyday tasks to help you return to your work and lifestyle.
OrthopedicsGet relief from stubborn pain, treatment for trauma and help to prevent injury with expert orthopedic specialists.
Supportive DevicesOrthotic services include bracing, custom shoe inserts and prosthetic devices to support your comfort and recovery.
PharmacyChoose us for pharmacy services, prescriptions and medications at retail locations across our region or by delivery.
Speech TherapySpeech therapists support the function of facial muscles for talking, eating and swallowing, and also your ability to express to and understand others.
Sports MedicineRecover from injuries and enhance performance with care plans and strength and conditioning programs for athletes and active people.

Caring for Your Brain, Spine & Nervous System

Avera rehabilitation care teams are found across the region and provide a broad range of services for patients. Count on us to coordinate your care, offering you the opportunity to heal and recover closer to home. Ask your doctor if a referral is right for you.

View Providers

Meet Our Team

View More

24/7 Immediate Stroke Support

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age at any time. Get help fast through your local emergency department if you notice any warning signs, get help fast through your local emergency services. View ER Locations

Read Helpful Brain & Spine Articles

View More