“Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a branch of medicine that mainly deals with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases, injuries and pain of the movement system (nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles). It carries out rehabilitation practices for people who have become disabled/handicapped due to various diseases and injuries in order to maximize their functions, ensure their independence and improve their quality of life.”

What Is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)?

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a branch of medicine that mainly deals with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases, injuries and pain of the movement system (nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles). It carries out rehabilitation practices for people who have become disabled/handicapped due to various diseases and injuries in order to maximize their functions, ensure their independence and improve their quality of life.

In this context, the field of expertise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation covers the primary or complementary treatment of diseases of all systems, especially rheumatic, neurological, orthopedic/traumatological, cardiopulmonary and algological diseases that may cause pain, loss of function, deterioration in quality of life, disability and handicap.

In the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, outpatient or inpatient treatment can be applied to patients of all ages using medications, physical therapy devices, massage and manipulative treatments, therapeutic injections, taping and exercises, orthoses and prostheses and different rehabilitative methods.

What Conditions Do PMR Specialists Treat?

» Neck Pain:
Pain originating from the cervical spine and surrounding structures.

» Back Pain:
Pain affecting the thoracic region of the spine.

» Low Back Pain:
Pain in the lumbar region, one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints.

» Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction:
Pain and dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint connecting the spine to the pelvis.

» Posture Disorders:
Abnormalities in body alignment and positioning.

» Joint and Periarticular Pain:
Shoulder pain, elbow pain, hand-wrist pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot-ankle pain and other problems arising from joints and surrounding tissues.

» Soft Tissue Pain:
Tendinitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, capsulitis and similar conditions.

» Chronic Pain:
Persistent pain lasting beyond normal healing time.

» Complex Regional Pain Syndrome:
A chronic pain condition typically affecting a limb after injury.

» Osteoarthritis:
Degenerative joint disease causing pain and stiffness.

» Osteoporosis:
Bone density loss leading to increased fracture risk.

» Carpal Tunnel and Other Entrapment Neuropathies:
Nerve compression syndromes causing pain, numbness and weakness.

» Fibromyalgia:
Widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms.

» Myofascial Pain Syndromes:
Chronic pain disorder caused by trigger points in muscles.

» Rehabilitation of Neurological Diseases:
Recovery programs for conditions affecting the nervous system.

» Rehabilitation of Cardiopulmonary Diseases:
Programs to improve heart and lung function.

» Rehabilitation of Rheumatic Diseases:
Treatment and recovery for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

» Rehabilitation of Orthopedic Diseases:
Recovery after musculoskeletal injuries and surgeries.

» Rehabilitation of Geriatric Diseases:
Age-related condition management and recovery.

» Rehabilitation of Pediatric Diseases:
Treatment for childhood developmental and musculoskeletal conditions.

» Sports Injuries:
Stress fracture, Achilles tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, DeQuervain tenosynovitis, rotator cuff disease, medial and lateral epicondylitis and similar conditions.

What Types of Treatments and Procedures Do PMR Specialists Perform?

Medications

Pharmacological treatments tailored to the specific condition and patient needs.

Therapeutic Injections

» Soft Tissue Injections:
Injections targeting muscles, tendons and ligaments.

» Joint Injections:
Intra-articular injections for joint conditions.

» Nerve Blocks:
Injections to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves.

Rehabilitation Practices

» Neurological Rehabilitation:
Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson and similar conditions.

» Cardiovascular Rehabilitation:
Programs for heart disease recovery and prevention.

» Pulmonary Rehabilitation:
Programs for lung disease management and recovery.

» Rheumatological Rehabilitation:
Treatment for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

» Pediatric Rehabilitation:
Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida and similar conditions.

» Orthopedic Rehabilitation:
After amputation, arthroplasty, fractures and other orthopedic interventions.

» Geriatric Rehabilitation:
Programs tailored for elderly patients.

» Special Rehabilitation Areas:
Pelvic pain, cancer rehabilitation, burn rehabilitation, lymphedema treatment, rehabilitation in urogenital diseases and similar conditions.

» Spasticity Treatment:
Management of muscle stiffness and involuntary contractions.

» Technology-Based Rehabilitation:
Robotic rehabilitation, virtual reality, telerehabilitation and similar applications.

Exercise Practices

Aerobics, strengthening, stabilization, stretching, joint range of motion, breathing exercises, balance-coordination, PNF, in-bed exercises, mobilization and exercise practices in postoperative and intensive care units.

Balneotherapy and Hydrotherapy

Water-based therapeutic applications including spa treatments.

Orthosis and Prosthesis Applications

Fitting, training and follow-up for supportive devices and artificial limbs.

Physical Therapy Modalities

» Thermal Applications:
Hot and cold applications, infrared applications.

» Laser Applications:
Therapeutic laser treatment for pain and tissue healing.

» Electrotherapy:
TENS applications, different electrical current applications, therapeutic electrical stimulation.

» Ultrasound Therapy:
Therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis applications.

» Iontophoresis:
Medication delivery through electrical current.

» Mechanotherapy:
Mechanical treatment methods for rehabilitation.

» Traction Applications:
Spinal decompression therapy.

» Balance Training:
Simple and computerized balance training device applications.

» Manual Therapy:
Mobilization and manipulation practices.

» Continuous Passive Motion:
Device applications for joint mobility.

» Taping:
Therapeutic taping techniques for support and pain relief.