Published by Aafiyat Medical Centre · October 2026
Short answer: A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. They diagnose and treat pain and problems with movement without surgery, and help people recover function after an injury or illness. In Ontario, you need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner to see one.
What does a physiatrist do?
Physiatrists are physicians who have completed specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Their focus is on how you function day to day: moving, working and doing the things that matter to you.
People often see a physiatrist for:
- Back and neck pain
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Nerve pain
- Tendon problems, bursitis and soft-tissue injuries
- Sports and work injuries
- Difficulty with mobility, balance or posture
- Recovery after an injury or illness
Physiatrist or physiotherapist?
The names sound alike, but the roles are different, and they often work together.
- A physiatrist is a medical doctor. They can diagnose your condition, order tests, prescribe medicine and give injections when appropriate.
- A physiotherapist is a regulated health professional who treats you with exercise, hands-on therapy and education.
A physiatrist may build a plan that includes physiotherapy, and physiotherapists may suggest seeing a physiatrist when a problem is not improving.
What happens at the first visit?
Your first visit starts with a full assessment: your history, how the problem affects your daily life, and a physical exam. From there, your physiatrist builds a plan with you. Depending on your needs, it may include:
- Reviewing and adjusting your medicines
- Exercises and training for daily activities
- A plan for returning to work or sport
- Coordination with physiotherapy
- Injections, if they are appropriate for your condition
How to get a referral
A referral is required. Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner to fax a referral to ARAS at (844) 614-2845.
No family doctor? Several of our family doctors are accepting new patients: see who’s accepting. Or see one of our walk-in doctors: WhatsApp 289-813-0786 for today’s availability, and the doctor will assess whether a referral is right for you.
Is it covered by OHIP?
Visits with a physiatrist are covered by OHIP when you have a referral and a valid Ontario health card. Some treatments, such as certain injections, may have costs that OHIP does not cover. Your physiatrist will explain any costs before treatment.
Physiatry at Aafiyat Medical Centre
At Aafiyat Medical Centre in Mississauga, our physiatry service offers assessment and non-surgical care for pain and movement problems, with injection options when appropriate and coordination with rehabilitation services. Learn more about physiatry at Aafiyat.
Sources
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Ontario Medical Association: OHIP payments for consultations
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.