Who is a medical professional focused on physical rehabilitation?

A physiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in physical rehabilitation. This field, known as physical medicine and rehabilitation, focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of individuals who have physical impairments or disabilities due to injury or illness. Physiatrists employ a comprehensive approach that includes physical therapy, medications, and other modalities to restore function and improve quality of life for their patients. Their expertise is crucial in helping patients recover from conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or sports injuries, emphasizing rehabilitation rather than surgery.

In contrast, pediatricians specialize in the health care of infants, children, and adolescents, addressing a wide range of pediatric conditions but not focusing specifically on physical rehabilitation. Morticians, or funeral directors, are involved in the care of the deceased and the management of funeral services, which is unrelated to physical rehabilitation. Proctologists are medical professionals who specialize in disorders of the rectum and anus, which again does not align with the focus on rehabilitation through physical therapy and functional recovery that physiatrists provide.