Most people are unaware that there is a branch of medicine specifically dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of temporary and/or chronic physical disability. Physiatry (pronounced Fizz-Eye-A-Tree) is the area of medicine wherein physicians specializes in Physical Medicine& Rehabilitation. (PM&R). Physiatrists are trained to focus on the patient as a whole person and to put the medical management of a disabling event within the context of that individuals life and environment. The roots of the specialty can be traced back to the 1930s. Demand for, prominence of , and national interest in the role of these specialists rose during WWII and again during the Vietnam war when young veterans returned home with a range of injuries that necessitated rehabilitation. Today there are over 7000 Board Certified physiatrists in the U.S.Helping to Keep the Golden Years GoldenPhysiatrists, focus on the patient as a whole person, young or old. Most specialties deal primarily with illness and possible threats to life. The physiatrist deals with these as well as addressing threats to living life fully. Attention is directed to restoring quality function in activities of daily life. These Rehab Medicine specialists often collaborate with a team of health professionals and other physicians in developing and carrying out a care plan that extends beyond hospital or clinic walls out into the family and community. This team may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, prosthetists, and social workers.By partnering with a physiatrist, a persons primary care physician, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, or neurosurgeon can enhance the ultimate chance of an individual doing well after or with conditions such as stroke; rheumatoid arthritis; total hip or knee replacement; sports-related injuries; musculoskeletal sprains and pain; neurological diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and ALS; as well as debility that can develop after prolonged critical illness. Asking for a referral to a physiatrist can be a priceless form of self-advocacy, since, even today, there remain many physicians, care managers, and home health care providers who are not familiar with the expertise available in the field of PM&R.Editors Note: This article was written by Indira S. Lanig MD, a physiatrist and Associate Medical Director at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital, Johnstown CO. The NCRH team of professionals can be reached at 970-619-3454