Physiatrist
Dr. Kara Sims is a Physiatrist in Stafford, VA
with special training and skill in treating medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
As a Physiatrist, Kara Sims, DPT performs
diagnostic imaging, testing, assessment, and treatment of disorders and injuries related to chronic joint pain, spinal injury, athletic injury, congenital birth defect, traumatic injury, and age-related pain conditions. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) is
a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses related to muscle, joint spine, nerve, bone, and neurological disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated by
Physiatrists include spinal cord injury, pulled and torn muscles, nerve disorders, fibromyalgia, athletic injury, chronic joint and muscle pain, arthritis, and other disorders affecting the body's muscles, joints, and nerves.
Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Physiatrists
include CT, x-ray, and MRI imaging, nerve conduction testing, spinal injections, prolotherapy, nerve and muscle biopsy, acupuncture, fitting of prosthetics and orthotics, impairment assessment, patient and parent education, and ultrasound guided corrective procedures.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with physical disabilities. These disabilities may arise from conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system such as neck and back pain, sports injuries, or other painful conditions affecting the limbs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Alternatively, the disabilities may result from neurological trauma or disease such as spinal cord injury, head injury or stroke. A physician certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation is often called a physiatrist. The primary goal of the physiatrist is to achieve maximal restoration of physical, psychological, social and vocational function through comprehensive rehabilitation. Pain management is often an important part of the role of the physiatrist. For diagnosis and evaluation, a physiatrist may include the techniques of electromyography to supplement the standard history, physical, x-ray and laboratory examinations. The physiatrist has expertise in the appropriate use of therapeutic exercise, prosthetics (artificial limbs), orthotics and mechanical and electrical devices.
Physiatrists in Stafford, VA
Spinal Cord Injury Doctor
A physician who addresses the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of traumatic spinal cord injury and non-traumatic etiologies of spinal cord dysfunction by working in an interdisciplinary manner. Care is provided to patients of all ages on a lifelong basis and covers related medical, physical, psychological and vocational disabilities and complications.
Spinal Cord Injury Doctors in Stafford, VA
Pediatric Rehabilitation Doctor
A physiatrist who utilizes an interdisciplinary approach and addresses the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of congenital and childhood-onset physical impairments including related or secondary medical, physical, functional, psychosocial and vocational limitations or conditions, with an understanding of the life course of disability. This physician is trained in the identification of functional capabilities and selection of the best of rehabilitation intervention strategies, with an understanding of the continuum of care.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Doctors in Stafford, VA
Sports Physical Medicine Doctor
A physician who specializes in Sports Medicine is responsible for continuous care related to the enhancement of health and fitness as well as the prevention of injury and illness. The specialist possesses knowledge and experience in the promotion of wellness and the prevention of injury from many areas of medicine such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, physical rehabilitation, epidemiology, physical evaluation and injuries. It is the goal of a Sports Medicine specialist to improve the healthcare of the individual engaged in physical exercise.
Sports Physical Medicine Doctors in Stafford, VA
