Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)

Learn how our physiatrists help people with neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and traumatic injuries reduce pain and restore function.
Request an Appointment
For Orthopedics and Rehabilitation related requests:
1-319-356-2223
For all other requests:
1-800-777-8442

Certain conditions —especially musculoskeletal and neurological disorders—make it harder to use parts of your body or brain. These conditions can cause pain, muscle spasms, forgetfulness, or other problems that affect your ability to function.  

Fortunately, many of these problems are treatable. And you’ll find the treatments you need from University of Iowa Health Care. 

We have a large team of physiatrists, or doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They help people whose illness or injury has caused physical or cognitive (thinking) problems. 

Our physiatrists frequently team up with other providers, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists. Together, we can help you:

  • Improve or restore function
  • Improve quality of life
  • Increase mobility
  • Maintain or achieve independence
  • Manage pain

Expert physiatry care for people of all ages and abilities

Whether you’re recovering from a sudden injury or living with a neuromuscular disease, you can count on our physiatrists.  

Our services include:

  • Working with patients who are paralyzed after a spinal cord injury. 

  • Treating acute or chronic pain.  

  • Caring for patients who need inpatient rehabilitation. Our 40-bed rehab hospital treats people recovering from a stroke, brain injury, traumatic orthopedic injury, and more. 

  • Helping patients overcome sports- and fitness-related pain or injuries, getting them back to their favorite activity.

Although many of our patients are adults, we also treat children. Our team includes one of the few physiatrists in Iowa with advanced training in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. 

Tailored, team-based care

When you choose us for physical medicine and rehabilitation, you’ll be cared for by a team of experts. 

Your physiatrist will help create and oversee your treatment plan. And other specialists may perform some of your recommended treatments.  

These other specialists can treat your underlying condition or help address the physical or cognitive challenges it’s caused. For example, you may work with: 

  • Neurologists who treat (or help slow the progression of) conditions that affect the brain or spine. 

  • Neuropsychologists who perform tests to see if your condition has affected any of your cognitive abilities. 

  • Occupational therapists who can teach you more effective or efficient ways to perform everyday tasks. These include bathing, dressing, grooming, and cooking. 

  • Orthopedic specialists who treat bone, muscle, and joint problems.  

  • Physical therapists who can help you increase strength and flexibility, reduce pain, and improve balance or mobility.  

  • Speech therapists who can help you improve speech or swallowing problems caused by your illness or injury. 

With physiatry, our goal is to help you feel and function better without surgery. But if you need advanced treatments that only a surgeon can provide, we’ll refer you to the right surgical specialist, right away. 

Our approach to physiatry care

Whether you’re new to physiatry or to UI Health Care, here’s what you can expect from our team: 

Initial Consultation

During your first visit, we’ll thoroughly review your medical history and perform a physical examination.  

We’ll discuss how your injury or condition affects your life, including your ability to function at home, work, or school. We’ll also discuss: 

  • The results of any tests you had before your visit, and whether you’ll need additional tests 

  • Your treatment goals 

  • Your treatment options 

  • How often (and how long) you may need certain services 

  • Whether you need referrals to other UI Health Care providers 

Diagnostic tests

Sometimes our patients come in with recent test results that help us make treatment decisions. In other cases, we may order (or perform) tests to gather additional information.  

For example, these tests can help us confirm what’s causing your symptoms or evaluate disease progression. They may include: 

  • CT scan 

  • Electromyogram (measures how well your muscles respond to nerve stimulation) 

  • Evoked potential study (measures how long it takes your brain to receive, and respond to, signals from your nerves) 

  • MRI scan 

  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound 

  • X-ray 

Treatments

Your physiatrist will perform, prescribe, or coordinate any treatments you need.  

In addition to receiving rehabilitation care—including physical, occupational, or speech therapy—you may have one or more of the following:  

  • Injections that help relieve pain, relax muscles, or reduce swelling 

  • Non-opioid pain medication 

  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or another type of regenerative medicine 

Physiatry tests and treatments

  • Amputee care 

  • Botox injections for spasticity 

  • Bursa injections 

  • CT scan 

  • Electromyography (EMG) 

  • Joint injection 

  • MRI scan 

  • Nerve block 

  • Neuropsychological testing 

  • Occupational therapy 

  • Orthotics 

  • Tendon sheath injection 

  • Trigger point injection 

  • Physical therapy (PT) 

  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy 

  • Prosthetics 

  • Regenerative medicine 

  • Speech therapy 

  • Spine injection 

  • Spine rehabilitation 

  • Stroke rehabilitation 

  • Testosterone therapy

  • Ultrasound 

  • Wheelchair seating evaluation 

  • X-ray 

Physiatry conditions treated

  • Amputation 
  • Arthritis 
  • Back pain and injury 
  • Burns 
  • Foot and ankle pain and injury 
  • Hip pain and injury 
  • Knee pain and injury 
  • Low testosterone
  • Movement disorders 
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) 

  • Musculoskeletal pain 

  • Myelopathy 

  • Neck pain 

  • Neuromuscular disease 

  • Orthopedic trauma and fractures 

  • Paraplegia 

  • Parkinson’s disease 

  • Peripheral neuropathy 

  • Radiculopathy 

  • Shoulder pain and injury 
  • Quadriplegia 
  • Spasticity 
  • Spina bifida
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Sports injuries 
  • Stroke 
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
  • Workplace injuries 

Our Care Team

Eric Aschenbrenner, MD portrait

Eric
Aschenbrenner
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (142 ratings)
Rahul M. Bijlani, MD portrait

Rahul M.
Bijlani
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.94 out of 5 (99 ratings)
Heather Bingham, MD portrait

Heather
Bingham
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.86 out of 5 (132 ratings)
Philip Chen, MD portrait

Philip
Chen
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (218 ratings)
Ryan McLoughlin, MD portrait

Ryan
McLoughlin
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Than Pham, DO, PharmD portrait

Than
Pham
DO, PharmD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (483 ratings)
Brett Rosauer, MD portrait

Brett
Rosauer
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Kathleen Vonderhaar, MD portrait

Kathleen
Vonderhaar
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.47 out of 5 (62 ratings)
Steven Zehring, DO portrait

Steven
Zehring
DO

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Mederic M. Hall, MD portrait

Mederic M.
Hall
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.63 out of 5 (575 ratings)
Ryan Kruse, MD portrait

Ryan
Kruse
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.86 out of 5 (549 ratings)
Valerie Keffala, PhD, ABPP, FACHP portrait

Valerie
Keffala
PhD, ABPP, FACHP

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.85 out of 5 (76 ratings)

Do you think you'd benefit from physiatry care?

If an illness or injury has affected your physical or cognitive abilities, a physiatrist may be able to help. Talk to your provider about getting a referral to our physical medicine and rehabilitation program.
Call 1-319-356-2223

Locations and Offices

Orthopedic Clinic
John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Lower Level, Elevator I
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
Orthopedic Clinic
In Medical Center
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Orthopedic South Clinic
01271 Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)
Lower Level, Elevator L
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
Interior image of Ortho South Clinic at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
UI Sports Medicine
Level 1
1-319-384-7070
Clinic
UI Health Care Sports Medicine facility exterior photo
In Iowa City, Prairie Meadow Drive
2701 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Sports Medicine - Cedar Rapids
Suite 2300
1-319-731-1430
Clinic
Interior front desk of the new sports medicine location
In Cedar Rapids, 10th Street SE
411 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital
1-319-645-3300
Clinic
Iowa Rehab Hospital exterior image
In University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital
2450 Coral Court, Coralville, IA 52241
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