If you’ve recently moved or your medical insurance has changed, you might be finding it difficult to find a doctor or medical practice that takes your insurance and treats you the way you want to be treated. It’s important to make educated decisions when it comes to choosing your healthcare. You need to make sure your doctors and physical therapists are properly educated and that their patient care fits you.
A physiatrist is a doctor that specializes in pain management. They usually take a non-surgical approach, and they are commonly associated with spinal and sports injuries. They work to ensure that their patients have rehabilitated from physical injuries. Physiatrists must study pre-med at a college, and if they receive good grades, they will be accepted into a medical school. After passing the MCAT and studying for four years at a medical school, physiatrists will begin their residency. After approximately four years in a residency, physiatrists can choose to do a fellowship where they will further specialize in different types of medicine.
A chiropractor takes a similar approach when it comes to education. There are less chiropractic schools than there are schools for physiatrists, but chiropractors must also pass examinations to practice chiropractic medicine in their state. To maintain their license they must keep learning and keeping up with the latest in chiropractic medicine. Chiropractors work with the spine by adjusting it, a non-surgical procedure that can alleviate pain for patients with back injuries or conditions like scoliosis.
A physical therapist is similar to a physiatrist in that they work to maintain the pain of their patients. Usually, they set up a therapy schedule to work with the patients to completely rehabilitate them. A physical therapist only needs a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physical therapy and is not required to do a residency or fellowship. They must, however, pass an exam to get their license and work in close proximity to a medical doctor.
A massage therapist must go to a massage school in their state and abide by the laws of the state. Different states have different laws for licensing a massage therapist. Usually, this requires about two years of schooling (sometimes less, depending on the education structure), and students must become certified before they are allowed to practice on patients. A massage therapist will often work at a physical therapy practice or a chiropractor’s office.
If you have any sort of sports injury or physical pain, you should consider visiting one of these healthcare providers. Don’t be afraid to ask these providers how they received their education and licensure. Some will post their diplomas or certificates on their wall, because they are proud of what they have achieved. It takes physiatrists and other types of healthcare providers a long time to complete their education, and they must be good at what they do to succeed. They should be happy to share their accomplishments with potential patients.
Source by Cory Henig
