Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (called physiatrists) diagnose and treat disorders of the musculosketelal system, as well as acute and chronic pain. The range of both patients' age groups and conditions is very large, with some physiatrists specializing in areas like sports medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics and others.

Patients treated by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians include those with work- and sports-related physical injuries, arthritis, back pain and tendonitis, as well as more severe musculoskeletal disorders, Physiatrists will design and facilitate long-term rehabilitation plans for cancer, stroke and brain injury patients, as well as amputees, multiple sclerosis patients and others.