Less Pain. More Living.

Physiatry

Regaining your strength and mobility after a serious illness, injury or surgery.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Regaining your strength and mobility after serious illness, injury or surgery may require the services of a physiatrist. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with physical disabilities. These disabilities may arise from conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as: 

  • Sports/work-related injuries
  • Painful conditions affecting the limbs (example: carpal tunnel syndrome)
  • Neck and back pain
  • Pain in the extremities 
  • Amputations and amputation related complications
  • Gait abnormalities/difficulty walking
  • Muscle injury
  • Joint injury
  • Nerve injury
  • Wheelchair evaluations
  • Spasticity and related complications
Physiatry can also aid in the treatment and recovery for those with disabilities resulting from neurological trauma or disease such as:
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Stroke
  • Nerve disorders
  • Muscle disorders
  • Cerebral Palsy

Conservative Treatment Options

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation team offers many conservative treatment options that can help you regain movement and decrease pain. Some of these procedures include:

  • Botox injections for treatment of migraines, dystonia and spasticity
  • Bracing (orthotics and prosthetics)
  • EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies
  • Joint injections
  • Peripheral nerve blocks
  • Trigger point injections
  • Physical therapy/occupational therapy

When Should I See a Physiatrist?

You should plan to see a physiatrist if:

  • You experienced an injury causing pain and/or pain impedes your daily life
  • You have limited physical function and pain after an illness or disability
  • You are experiencing chronic back pain, neck pain, pain from a repetitive stress injury, or chronic pain from arthritis
  • You have had a stroke or other nerve damage, limiting your daily physical activity
  • You are recovering from surgery
  • You are contemplating surgery as a means to diminish chronic pain

What to Expect

We know you probably have questions regarding your condition and are here to help. Below are some frequently asked questions we receive, however we encourage you to contact our office with any specific questions you may have.

Meet the Team

News, Advice & Stories

Jun 29, 2021

Benefits of Joint Replacement

Luckily, the “wearing out” of your knees and hips is not something all of us will experience. But for those who do suffer from severe arthritis in their joints, it can make what used to be even the simplest moves more difficult than expected. Over the course of time, the arthritis in the joint worsens. It can often result in debilitating pain that limits you from normal daily activities and erodes your quality of life.

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Apr 27, 2021

Survive the good times - tips to return to being social

This might sound silly but having fun can be hard, especially when you are learning how to re-socialize after a year of practical isolation. It can be exciting because you are eager to spend time with people.

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Apr 26, 2021

How to enhance your nutrition and wellness in the workplace

Some people find it helpful to choose a day of the week when they are least busy and prepare meals. For example, you can cook chicken in bulk to be used as a topping for a salad or used in a sandwich.

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Apr 23, 2021

Bristol Health lab services on Route 6 moving across the street from current location

Bristol Health on Monday will be moving its Route 6 lab and blood raw services to a location that better fits its growing base of patients.

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Nov 25, 2020

2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator

Bristol Health has been named a 2020 Leading Innovator by Press Ganey for our overall response to meet our community's needs during the pandemic.

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Sep 16, 2020

Experts Say Routine Medical Care Is Important Amid Pandemic

Andrew Lim, MD, medical director of emergency medicine at Bristol Health, discusses on NBC Connecticut how COVID-19 affected hospital emergency departments across the state and why continuing to receive your routine care is important during the pandemic.

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Apr 15, 2020

Lisa Coates Featured on "Face of Connecticut"

Lisa Coates, LCSW, operations manager of the Bristol Health Counseling Center, was the featured guest on this Sunday's WTIC Face Connecticut public affairs program. Listen to her interview here.

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Mar 31, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING: Make emotional health a priority during these trying times

During times of increased stress, we have to consider our emotional immune system. Our emotions play a significant role in how our body responds to stressful situations. To care for our family members and all those in our lives, we have to take care of ourselves as well.

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Mar 30, 2020

Bristol Health launches telemedicine program to limit in-person contact and help flatten the curve

Bristol Health Medical Group doctors have begun seeing many patients using a telemedicine video service that helps limit person-to-person contact and cut down on possible exposures to the coronavirus.

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Mar 18, 2020

ESPN: How to make mental health a priority during the coronavirus pandemic

ESPN spoke with Rebecca Colasanto, LCSW, the system director of behavioral health for Bristol Health, about how to manage and respond to the anxiety and stress that come with these rare times.

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