Tom Midkiff (right) with Drs. Nathaniel Majoris and Marietta Babayev

June 9, 2009

"Physiatry is not to be confused with psychiatry or podiatry," Dr. Marietta Babayev told Putnam Rotarians today. "Physiatry has been around since the 1930s as a holistic 'quality of life' specialty."

The specialty is also referenced as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

"Rather than treatment of one body part, physiatry gives a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person's life back together after disease or injury -- medically, socially, emotionally and vocationally.

"For example," she said, "a person develops back pain in lifting a heavy object at work. While we are treating the injury, we also teach him how to prevent injuries in the future.

"For a patient with a broken hip, we provide agressive rehab after the surgery so the parient can walk and exercise again. We order equipment for easier and safer functioning.

"We treat parients with arthritis, tendonitis, sports injuries. Some physicans work in rehabilitation hospitals attending people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke.

"Patient participation in a therapy exercise program is very important, so we often refer them to physical therapy centers.

"Diagnosis includes a thorough medical history and examination. Additional tests such as a EMG or x-rays may be ordered.

"An EMG -- an electromyogram -- is an electrical conduction study," she explained, "which can detect the presence of diseases of nerves and muscles. An EMG can help evaluate the extent of nerve injury after tramua, causes of numbness, poor coordination, multiple cramping and other nerve and muscular cxonditions.

"Treatment is conservative. We often start with physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication. We may prescribe canes, walkers, wheelchairs, artifical limbs for amuptees.

Dr. Babayev says that there are about 7,000 practicing physiatrists in the United States at the present time.

She affiliated with the Holzer Clinic in South Charleston, moving to the valley from New York City over seven years ago.

Appearing with her at the Rotary luncheon was Nathaniel Majoris, DC, who came to Holzer Clinic from Pittsburgh only six weeks ago.

"I was doing a 'rotation' at Holzer," he said, "and learned about their multidisciplinary approach to patient care," supported by a staff representing multiple specialties.

Many chiropractic cases involve the back, he said,

"The spine is such an amazing structure," said Majoris. "This 'tower' allows us to stay upright, and it has to be stable to allow us to throw, kick, pick something up. The spine has to be stable so that our arms and legs can function efficiently.

"In addition, it is a protective shell for the (nerve stem) communication system of the body. And yet it allows us to move all around."

We need to keep our spine in good condition with proper diet and good exercise, he told the group. "And sometimes we have warning signs, like a car sensor going off. And many people ignore the signs, like putting tape over the car sensor. And many times the signs will go away for a time.

"But then comes a major breakdown, and that's where the chiropractor comes in -- at the point where we don't need surgery; where there are still some things we could do. There are 26 movable bones in the spine.

"Over time, the bones and muscles may form adhesions. There may be scar tissue. We try to get joints moving again.

"And if a joint is stuck, you'd better believe that other joints -- maybe one above, maybe one below -- is moving too much. And that's where exercise comes in.

"We want to look at what you're eating. There are certain things in diet that cause inflamation.

"We want to do as much as we can with as little as possible. We have a good staff and a good plan."

Holzer Clinic operates nine centers in Ohio and West Virginia. "We hope to serve more patients through our geographical distribution," said Babayev. The Holzer Clinic center in South Charleston has operated at that location, "across from the Mound," for 15 years.