Modern medicine is full of numerous branches and specialties seemingly aimed at treating every malady known to humans. But as information becomes more widely available, many patients are finding that many of these branches can be so focused on a specific method or aspect of an illness that it misses the opportunity for using alternative treatments. As this idea becomes more prevalent, many patients are turning to the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. This decades-old branch of medicine is packed with insights and effective mechanisms for treating a variety of illnesses. To better understand it, we’ll look at the field at large, as well as one of the top practitioners in the specialty, Johanan Rand.
A Broad Look
A full understanding of the field must first begin with a look at the goals of its practitioners. Generally speaking, doctors in the field, also known as physiatrists, tend to work with afflictions where the traditional idea of a “cure” is perhaps out of place. More often, the goals of these doctors are to restore functionality and enhance quality of life for those they treat. Patients are often suffering from physical maladies related to the nervous system, muscular system, and skeletal system. However, many complex illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, and cerebral palsy are also within the specialty’s purview.
Since the goal of those practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation is whole-body healing, when treating patients, doctors often act in conjunction with professionals in other branches of medicine. For example, when treating an ACL injury, a physiatrist may request patient medical history from a primary care physician, or outsource diagnostic tests such as an x-ray or an MRI, or they may recommend surgery in cases of extreme damage. By eschewing a “one size fits all” approach, those in the field can tailor their methods more specifically to their patients’ individual needs.
Practitioner Background
In order to fully appreciate the expertise and breadth of knowledge that is required for a physiatrist to properly help their patients, it is useful to take a look at the work of Johanan Rand. A graduate of the prestigious Albert Einstein Medical Center in New York, he now runs his own centers known as the Healthy Aging Medical Centers. In his work through his own practice, he promotes a variety of cutting-edge methods that seek to help his patients meet their goals of optimum healthy aging.
His practice treats a number of ailments including mood swings, insomnia, depression, low libido, and more. During treatment, custom programs are developed that take into account the specific factors at play in each patient’s situation. These programs are then implemented to restore health, prevent disease, and support an overall improvement in quality of life. In part due to this focus on individuals, Johanan has become known as a passionate advocate for his patients that works to bring excellent outcomes through the best in integrative care.
Beginnings of Physiatry
Though the work of practitioners of physical medicine and rehabilitation is continuously gaining prominence, it is nothing new. In fact, the branch was first recognized by the American Medical Association in 1947. In that year, nearly eighty doctors took the first board exam of the newly founded American Board of Physical Medicine. Since that time, certified physiatrists have played critical roles in numerous healthcare landmarks including assistance in war efforts, focus on the fight against polio, and participation in both the Medicare and Medicaid system.
In modern efforts, physiatrists have expanded their domain to include a wide variety of cross-disciplinary practices aimed at combating complicated illnesses that require multiple points of treatment. These afflictions range from tendon injuries to spinal cord trauma and also include illnesses as multifaceted as Parkinson’s disease. This evolving focus of the field serves as a testament to the continuing work of its practitioners to push the boundaries of modern medicine.
Progressive Treatments
Again, a prime example of this approach is Johanan Rand. In his practice, he uses a variety of methods that are intended to treat patients that others have deemed untreatable. One methodology he uses that has gained increased interest in recent years is the employment of bioidentical hormone therapies. Where many other doctors are content to utilize synthetic hormones to attempt to treat imbalances in a patient’s bodily systems, Rand opts to use hormones that are much more closely matched to a patient’s individual hormonal composition. As with everything used at his medical centers, these methods are based exclusively on peer-reviewed scientific evidence to ensure it is rooted solidly in the latest results from medical studies. Along with these hormonal treatments, he advocates the use of fitness, nutrition, and supplements and seeks to avoid the use of prescription medications when possible.
These methodologies have produced extremely positive outcomes for patients, many of whom view Rand as somewhat of a health role model. Some of the cases he has treated have involved chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis, all of which are afflictions that can exhibit marked decreases in longterm quality of life. Rand is also certified in medical acupuncture and offers weight loss therapy through his clinic. By keeping a broad knowledge base in a variety of treatment methods, he is able to approach each patient with a cohesive plan for treating their ailment in a way that not only works but feels comfortable and supportive of their needs.
As the field of medicine continues to progress into realms previously imagined unthinkable, it has become ever-more incumbent on individuals to seek out treatment options that work on their own terms. By reviewing the above information about physical medicine and rehabilitation, you can begin to come to an understanding of the storied field and how it is rapidly expanding to meet the needs of the modern patient. Looking to high-level practitioners in the field, such as Johanan Rand, is a great way to view the specialty in its well-researched light. If you find yourself in need of medical attention for a serious or lingering ailment, you may do well to seek the advice of a qualified physiatrist who can tailor treatment specifically to your situation.
