What is Integrative Medicine?

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Physical therapy is a health care discipline devoted to the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of conditions involving neurological, muscular, and skeletal function. Physical therapy services are covered by most health insurance plans, typically only if prescribed by a physician. A physician may prescribe a detailed treatment plan, or refer with instructions that the physical therapist devise a treatment plan based on his or her own evaluation.

Physical therapy is available through many settings (e.g., hospitals, free-standing centers in the community, health clubs, etc.). At Illinois Multi-Med, we favor a model where physical therapy services are integrated into the physician practice setting, as this affords closer communication between physical therapist, patient, and doctor.

Physical medicine, also known as physiatry, refers to the discipline of physician-supervised diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving neurological, muscular, and skeletal function. Compared to community-based physical therapy locations, physical medicine programs are typically based in hospitals, and often include wider services for patients with neurological complications, such as brain or spinal injuries, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
Physical medicine also implies a certain style of medical care, where a broad medical understanding of what is happening with patients is combined with a focus on neuro-musculo-skeletal problems. This is the style of care you'll find at Illinois Multi-Med.

Patients with nerve and musculoskeletal problems come to Illinois Multi-Med for a number of reasons. Most commonly, the recommendation of a family member, friend, or associate is the source of referral. Some patients come to us because they have seen one of our ads, and wish to take advantage of our free consultation offers. Some schedule their visits through the website. Others are referred to us by their doctors. Whatever the reason, when a patient presents to Illinois Multi-Med with a problem related to neurological, muscular, or skeletal function, the physical medicine process begins with assessment by a physician.