What is a Physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. They see both adults and children who have had strokes, brain injuries (including concussions), spinal cord injuries, amputations, musculoskeletal (bone, muscle and joint) problems, nerve problems and sports medicine injuries. The goal of a physiatrist is to help a patient be more active in their life and to participate in the activities that are important to them. This is accomplished by both medical, physical and equipment treatments. For example, a patient with foot pain may need medications to decrease the pain, therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles crossing the ankle joint and proper foot wear in order to enable them to be able to walk a longer distance comfortably. A patient with a stroke may need medication for nerve pain caused by the stroke, therapy to increase use of an arm and a cane to help with walking.
What is an Electromyographer?
An electromyographer is a medical doctor who has special medical training in performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography. These tests aid to assess the health of the nerves that run from the neck down in to the arms and hands and from the lower back down into the legs and feet. They are also used to assess the health of muscles. Conditions for which these test can help to diagnose include: carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, muscular dystrophies and ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). For example, a patient has neck pain that travels into their right arm and by performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography I can determine if this pain is caused by a pinched nerve in the neck or some other cause such as muscle pain.
Click here for our Physiatrist’s biography, Dr. Taunya St. Pierre.
Appointment Bookings:
Before booking an appointment with Dr. St. Pierre, all patients must have a referral from their family doctor faxed to Dr. St. Pierre’s office.
Fax: 613-801-0167
Phone: 613-801-0166