Physiatry - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

A Physiatrist is a physician who has completed residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). Integral Physical Therapy's specialized Physiatry care is focused on treating nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones through multidisciplinary care. We address symptoms like pain, numbness, and weakness in order to prevent surgery through expert diagnostics and treatments.

When to consider seeing a Physiatrist

You might consider seeing a Physiatrist if you are experiencing persistent pain, numbness, or weakness in your body, especially if it involves nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments, or bones. Physiatrists specialize in treating patients who might otherwise be referred to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Their primary goal is to prevent unnecessary surgeries whenever possible and find solutions to complex, undiagnosed pain.

How a Physiatrist can help

Physiatrists are musculoskeletal physicians who offer a range of diagnostic and treatment services. They are "externists," meaning they address issues that are not related to internal medicine.

They provide:

Expert Diagnostics: Physiatrists are skilled diagnosticians, adept at identifying the source of pain, weakness, and numbness, even in cases where others have been unable to find a solution. They can interpret MRI results and use diagnostic ultrasound. They are often able to identify the underlying cause of symptoms that other physicians have not, preventing unnecessary referrals to surgeons.
Surgical Prevention: A core professional aim of physiatrists is to prevent surgery when appropriate, while also being qualified to determine when surgery is truly necessary. They provide alternate options and treatments to address issues before they may progress to a point of needing surgery.
Support for Physical Therapy: Physiatrists offer crucial backup support for physical therapists when patients have complex or concerning conditions, facilitating quick diagnosis and treatment planning. They collaborate with physical therapists to find the source of pain and reduce the risk and need for surgery. They can help guide physical therapy with complex cases, offering quick diagnosis and planning to ensure a collaborative and effective treatment plan.

Meet Dr. Altman, Integral Physical Therapy's Physiatrist and Medical Director

Dr. Brian Altman, MD

Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Board Certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Dr. Brian Altman is a highly skilled physiatrist with double board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He specializes in the highly conservative management of orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions. Dr. Altman believes physical therapy and lifestyle modification are the best ways to achieve long-term pain control and prevent surgeries. He also emphasizes the power of food as medicine to treat pain and other chronic conditions.

Dr. Altman is a skilled diagnostician and often sees patients who have symptoms no one else has been able to diagnose that would have otherwise led to surgery. He works with each individual to find the source of pain, weakness, and numbness with the intent of preventing the need for surgery whenever possible.

Support he provides:

Conservative management of orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions
Ultrasound-guided injections - including cortisone, botox, hyaluronic acid, and PRP
Hands-on diagnostic evaluation
Ultrasound diagnostic evaluation
Education on nutrition and mental health
Preventative medicine

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Altman in our Firestone or new Lakewood office

Schedule an Appointment

With Dr. Altman on the team, Integral Physical Therapy is transformed into a multidisciplinary practice focused on better access, faster recoveries, and lower costs to our patients. If physical therapy alone fails to improve an outcome, Dr. Altman will be available to quickly evaluate, diagnose, and facilitate an optimal treatment path. He will provide consistent counseling on prognosis, pain education, and lifestyle modification.

In the event that conservative management is no longer appropriate, Dr. Altman will facilitate the appropriate escalation of medical services. With his close proximity to our therapy team, he will ensure that referrals for surgical intervention are appropriate and timely to maximize safety and positive outcomes.