Physical medicine and rehabilitation provider Christian Nicolosi, MD, discusses how function drives care and what treatment looks like.
Pain, injury and illness can affect much more than physical health. Simple activities like taking a walk, exercising, working or spending time with family can become difficult, impacting independence and quality of life.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists focus on helping patients regain function, improve mobility and return to the activities that matter most. In this specialty, success isn't measured only by reducing symptoms. It's measured by helping patients get back to living their lives.
“PM&R is a specialty many people haven't heard of,” said Dr. Nicolosi. “What makes us different is that we start off with a very multidisciplinary approach.”
What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?
Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a medical specialty focused on helping people improve function and quality of life after an injury, illness or chronic condition. PM&R physicians, also known as physiatrists, look beyond a diagnosis to understand how symptoms affect a person's ability to move, work and participate in daily activities.
Using a whole-person approach to care, physiatrists create personalized treatment plans that help patients reduce pain, improve mobility and return to the activities that matter most.
Why PM&R Focuses on Function
Reducing pain is often an important part of treatment, but it's not always the ultimate goal. For many patients, success means being able to return to the activities that make life meaningful and fulfilling.
“In PM&R, we like to say that function is our organ system,” said Dr. Nicolosi. “Similar to how neurologists work on the brain or how cardiologists work on the heart, , we work on improving function.”
Function looks different for everyone. One patient may want to return to work after an injury, while another hopes to get back to exercising, improve balance or maintain independence at home. Others may be focused on recovering after surgery, a stroke or another serious illness.
PM&R specialists work with patients to identify those goals and develop a personalized plan to help them achieve them.
What Conditions Does PM&R Treat?
Many people associate PM&R with rehabilitation after an injury, but physiatrists care for patients with a wide range of conditions that affect movement, mobility and quality of life.
Musculoskeletal conditions
Back pain
Neck pain
Joint pain
Arthritis
Sports injuries
Neurological conditions
Stroke recovery
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Spinal cord injuries
Concussion and traumatic brain injury
Other functional challenges
Chronic pain
Post-surgical recovery
Balance issues
Mobility limitations
Cancer rehabilitation
Deconditioning after serious illness
Because PM&R focuses on function, care often involves collaboration across multiple specialties. At CU Medicine, physiatrists work closely with physicians, therapists and specialists across dozens of specialties to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs and goals.
What PM&R Treatment Looks Like
Treatment with PM&R starts by understanding a patient's goals. Whether someone wants to return to work, stay active or maintain independence, physiatrists develop personalized care plans focused on improving function and quality of life.
Common PM&R treatment options include:
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Exercise and conditioning programs
Lifestyle and activity modifications
Medication management
Image-guided injections and other interventional procedures
Bracing, orthotics and assistive devices
Coordination with other specialists when needed
“The goals and lifestyle of the patient are what drive the treatment plan completely,” said Dr. Nicolosi. “If someone has back pain, I don’t want to tell them to never play the sport they love or do the activities that they enjoy because of the pain.”
When Should You See a PM&R Specialist?
Patients do not have to wait until pain or mobility challenges become severe to seek care. A PM&R specialist can help when an injury, illness or chronic condition begins to interfere with daily activities, independence or quality of life.
Patients may benefit from PM&R care if:
Pain is limiting daily activities.
Recovery from an injury or surgery is taking longer than expected.
Mobility, balance or coordination has declined.
A neurologic condition is affecting function or independence.
They want to explore nonsurgical treatment options.
They need help returning to work, sports or other activities.
The goal of PM&R is not just to treat symptoms, but to help patients restore function, improve quality of life and return to the activities that matter most.
Find PM&R Care in Colorado
When pain, injury or a chronic condition begins to affect daily life, the PM&R team at CU Medicine can help. Dr. Nicolosi and his colleagues work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans focused on restoring function, improving mobility and supporting long-term independence.
To learn how PM&R can help improve function and quality of life and schedule an appointment with Christian Nicolosi, MD, call CU Medicine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine – Steadman Hawkins Clinic Denver at 303-694-3333. Learn about physical medicine and rehabilitation here.