The term “rehabilitation” may mean different things to different people. To some, it may mean overcoming an addiction, or to others: recovering from a long-term disease. What does rehabilitation, particularly physical rehabilitation, really mean?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines rehabilitation as “a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment”.
According to the American Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also called Physiatry or Rehabilitation Medicine, “aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.”
Here in Capitol Medical Center, the Rehabilitation Medicine Department offers its services as an in-patient (while confined within the hospital), out-patient (appointment at the Rehab facility), and to the comfort of your own homes (through Rehab-on-Wheels and Telerehabilitation).
Physical Rehabilitation can be done as preventive care, post-operation or right after your surgery, and even as maintenance to preserve your optimal condition.
The Department caters to patients suffering from a wide range of conditions such as, but not restricted to:
Physiatrists are physicians who specialize in muscles, bones, nerves and pain disorder who work closely with the members of the Rehabilitation Team (Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Rehab Aide) to ensure the best possible care is given to patients.