Rehabilitation Medicine

Female physical therapist helps a senior man walk following a stroke. The man is using parallel bars in a rehab center

Rehabilitation Medicine

ColumbiaDoctors rehabilitation medicine specialists lead one of the top rehabilitation departments in the nation. Many of our physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, or physiatrists, have been recognized for excellence on “America’s Top Doctors” and “New York Magazine Best Doctors” lists. We provide the highest quality patient care to patients of all ages experiencing a wide range of problems – from sore knees to major disabling conditions.

Our clinicians focus on the whole patient and address each patient’s physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being individually. After assessing how the body’s major organ systems impact function, we plan out an individualized combination of non-surgical treatments including medication and injections; physical, occupational, and complementary therapies; and the use of assistive devices. We offer a wide array of outpatient specialty programs for patients with neurologic, orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, pediatric and other disorders, working collaboratively with expert specialists in a wide range of disciplines. 

Within our clinical research program, with its focus on stroke, cerebral palsy, and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as our translational research program in the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, we are also working to bring new regenerative therapies to our patients as the next phase in rehabilitative care.

Our Services 

Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine

Physicians board-certified in sports medicine and pain provide superb care for weekend warriors,  professional athletes, and everyone in between. We strive to support each athlete regardless of their personal or professional goals and to healthy, pain and injury-free physical activity for the long-term. 

Interventional Spine Care

Our spine experts have the training and experience to diagnose spine-related injuries accurately and work to assure an optimal recovery, including activity modification, physical therapy, or non-surgical interventional spine procedures such as medications, epidural injections, nerve blocks, and other procedures. We collaborate closely with ColumbiaDoctor’s outstanding orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons specializing in spine surgery for individuals whose care requires surgical intervention.

Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation

Our physicians supervise a comprehensive, structured rehabilitation program designed to maximize the return of functional abilities for individuals with stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. They are also active in creating and testing new treatments to improve the lives of individuals living with the after-effects of these conditions. Our specialists treat patients with neuromuscular disorders including ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease), muscular dystrophies, and neuropathies including Guillain-Barré syndrome. 

Pediatric Rehabilitation

Our pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation services combine to maximize outcomes after illness or injury in children and adolescents. Our pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation services develop partnerships with patients and families to establish comprehensive treatment plans and achieve the best possible outcome. Areas of particular expertise include cerebral palsy, spasticity management, brain tumors, pediatric stroke and brain injury, spine disorders, and chronic pain syndrome. 

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Physicians specializing in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation are dedicated to helping patients reach their best possible level of physical function. They supervise a program combining monitored exercise, education, and psychosocial support specifically designed for the specialized needs of our patients with cardiac or pulmonary disease.

Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer survivors may experience loss of physical function due to the effects of cancer and/or its treatment. Our physicians provide an in-depth assessment of the rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors, including lymphedema, radiation fibrosis, neuropathies, deconditioning, fatigue, and pain.

Acute and Subacute Inpatient Rehabilitation and Subacute Outpatient Rehabilitation

Through our affiliation with top-ranked hospital NewYork-Presbyterian, ColumbiaDoctors physiatrists provide expert care in our inpatient rehabilitation unit for patients with a wide range of diagnoses, including stroke, amputations, brain injuries, burn injuries, cancer, cardiovascular disease, major trauma, neurological disorders, spinal cord injury, and organ transplants. Patients who are ready to leave the hospital but not yet ready to return home can continue to receive outstanding rehabilitative care at our subacute unit at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale by RiverSpring Health. Here, our clinical team partners with the Hebrew Home to provide subacute rehabilitation and medical care, wound care, respiratory care, pain management, intravenous therapy and any other needs that arrive that arise for patients.

Patients can see our expert physicians at several convenient locations, including the Harkness Pavilion at Columbia University Medical Center, Midtown Manhattan at West 51st Street, Morningside Heights at West 113th St., Baldwin - Long Island (Pediatric Rehab only), Tarrytown, and Bronxville.