How To Become A Physiatrist?
Physiatrists are doctors who treat patients who have injuries & disorders in musculoskeletal & neurological systems. Learn how to become a physiatrist here.
A physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, are medical professionals that treat a variety of conditions linked to traumas, traumatic injuries, and pain syndromes.
In this page, explore what is Physiatry, what do physiatrists do, how to become a physiatrist and required educational qualifications.
Physiatry is also known as rehabilitation medicine. Physiatry is a part of medicine that is devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of all types of disorders of the brain, nerves, bones, and muscles.
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What Do Physiatrists Do?
Physiatry encompasses a wide range of disciplines, which include biomechanics, musculoskeletal functions, anatomy, and extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal and neurological ailments.
- Physiatrists are fully trained medical doctors who treat patients that have had injuries or suffer from limitations that affect physical and brain functioning.
- Physiatrists employ a blend of physical therapy treatments, medication management, and an array of procedures and methods, including soft tissue, muscle, nerve, and spine injections, to treat a variety of disorders.
- Physiatrists treat conditions such as Back pain, Neck pain, Strokes, Brain injuries, Neuromuscular disorders, Sports injuries, Spinal cord injuries, Arthritis, Carpal tunnel, Herniated disc, and more.
How to become a Physiatrist?
To become a physiatrist, one should:
- Graduate high school with a high GPA.
- Complete a so-called “pre-med” Bachelor’s degree with courses in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Math, including laboratory practice.
- Volunteer in different settings, preferably related to the medical field.
- Pass the Medical college admission test (MCAT).
- If you study at an osteopathic school, you would need to pass the United States Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
- Obtain a degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine (M.D. or D.O.).
- Join a residency in Physiatry/Rehabilitation medicinethat lasts 3-4 years.
- The residency may include:
- First-year is devoted to acquiring clinical skills.
- 2-3 years of practice in the rehabilitation of trauma patients, sports medicine, and pediatric patients.
- Research.
- Clinical rotations in pain medicine, pediatrics, neurologic, musculoskeletal medicine.
- Get board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
- Join a 1-3-year fellowship in one of the following subspecialties:
- Pain medicine.
- Spine cord injury.
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
- Pediatric rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Hospice and palliative medicine.
- Sports medicine.
Average Salary for Physiatrists
The average salary for a physiatristin the United States is between $138,000 and $273,000 per year.
Cite this page
Bio Explorer. (2026, January 28). How To Become A Physiatrist?. https://www.bioexplorer.net/how-to-become-physiatrist.html/
Key References
- “ACGME Program Requirements forGraduate Medical Educationin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation” – acgme.org. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “United States Medical Licensing Examination ®”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, COMLEX-USA: a new paradigm in testing and evaluation | The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “Residency Program Outline | Johns Hopkins Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “ABPMR – ABPMR Homepage”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “ABPMR – Subspecialty Certification Overview”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
- “Physician / Doctor, Physiatrist Salary | PayScale”. Accessed December 25, 2019. Link.
