Physiatry has continued to evolve with changing patterns of illness and disability. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 35 million Americans (approximately one in seven) have disabling conditions. 1 More than 9 million are unable to work, study, or live independently. The average American will live almost 13 years with some sort of limitation. A 1988 National Health Interview Study showed that the incidence of disability increases dramatically with age. 2 About 5% of those under the age of 18 years have some degree of activity limitation, increasing to almost 40% in those 65 and over. Chronic illnesses, arthritis, strokes, trauma, and pain syndromes account for a significant proportion of functional limitations. As specialists in the pathogenesis, prevention, and remediation of disability, physiatrists are in a position to assist a variety of practitioners in maximizing function and quality of life. In particular, there have been exciting advances in the treatment