Core Practice Areas

The Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is nationally recognized as a leader in advancing the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, with special strength in pediatric rehabilitation, pain management, and spinal cord injury medicine.

The department has received national and international recognition for excellence in the way we provide clinical care, train future health care professionals, and conduct research into the greater understanding of and new treatments to aid disabled individuals.

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Amputee Care

At Michigan Medicine, we offer complete, compassionate amputation care, from the amputation process to getting you back to daily living by listening to your needs, providing you a thorough education, and utilizing the most current technology available. As a multidisciplinary team that includes rehabilitation physicians, physical and occupational therapists, orthotists and prosthetists, and rehabilitation psychologists, we treat the whole patient, addressing both the physical and emotional issues that come with an amputation.

  

Skull and brain being injured

Brain Injury & Concussion

We treat patients recovering from brain injuries ranging from mild to severe, utilizing multiple therapies and treatments to improve functional cognition and symptom management for pain, balance, and sensory issues. Our approach emphasizes patient empowerment and self-management as our providers focus on each patient’s values with an emphasis on teaching long-term behavioral management strategies.

  

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Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer Rehabilitation providers are experts in treating the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cognitive, and other side effects of cancer or the treatment of cancer (including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and more). The University of Michigan has one of the most robust and fastest growing Cancer Rehabilitation programs in the country. 

  

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Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine

The specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is uniquely equipped to tackle the diagnosis and management of the wide range of problems that can arise from the musculoskeletal system, including arthritis, sports injuries, and joint pain. We help everyone from the "daily walker" to the professional athlete regain function and return to their life's activities through an individualized approach focused around each patient's specific goals. 

 

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Pediatric Rehabilitation

Our pediatric rehabilitation physicians and psychologists offer services for children and adolescents who have a variety of disabling conditions, including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, spina bifida, neuromuscular diseases, brachial plexopathy, pediatric cancer, and congenital syndromes. Our goal is to help children, teens, and their families achieve the highest level of recovery in a compassionate, creative, and family-centered environment. 

 

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Rehabilitation Psychology & Neuropsychology

Imperative to the recovery of our patients is their mental and emotional well-being. Our department has over 20 faculty who specialize in the application of psychological knowledge and skills on behalf of individuals with disabilities, traumatic injuries, and chronic health conditions in order to maximize their health and independence across the lifespan. 

 

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Spinal Cord Injuries

At the University of Michigan’s Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, our multidisciplinary team of experts provides the map to get you on the path to realizing your goals by optimizing your recovery, functioning and health. From cutting edge diagnostic testing to compassionate, patient-centered support services, our Spinal Cord Injury providers represent the best of the best.

 

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Spine & Back Pain

Our spine and musculoskeletal providers are leaders in their fields, specializing in the non-surgical treatment of many types of spine and back pain. We provide an individualized approach to treatment for many of these conditions through physical and occupational therapy or minor procedures - over 2,000 procedures are performed every year at our outpatient sites. 

 

Brain with stroke

Stroke Rehabilitation

We hold certification in Stroke Rehabilitation from The Joint Commission, making Michigan Medicine the first hospital in Michigan to receive certification for both our Comprehensive Stroke Center and our Stroke Rehabilitation Program. Our stroke rehabilitation providers focus on enabling patients to regain functional abilities, thinking and communicating with others, returning to life roles, and coping and adjusting to stroke recovery.