Dr. Tanawat Tochaiwat
Medical Rehabilitation Physicians have the responsibility of treating and caring for patients' physical rehabilitation, aiming to help them regain their previous or near previous level of functionality to improve their quality of life.
The field of medical rehabilitation covers various disease groups, including neurological disorders, strokes, spinal cord injuries, heart-related conditions like coronary heart disease, and sports medicine, which involves diagnosing and treating muscle and nerve-related issues using electrodiagnostic tests for targeted rehabilitation.
After completing their Bachelor of Medicine degree from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Dr. Tanawat Tochaiwat worked as a physician at the 46th Air Division Hospital in Phitsanulok province. Later, he pursued further specialization in medical rehabilitation at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and worked as a rehabilitation physician at Phuphan Hospital. He also served as the Deputy Director of the 23rd Air Division Hospital in Udon Thani province. In addition to this, Dr. Tanawat furthered his studies in aerospace medicine at the Aerospace Medicine Institute.
Currently, Dr. Tanawat specializes in comprehensive patient rehabilitation, including specific muscle acupuncture. He emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, not only focusing on curing the disease but also considering the root cause and prevention from multiple dimensions. He takes into account the patient’s context, lifestyle, occupational factors, physical abilities, and environmental factors both at home and the workplace. This comprehensive patient care is the core principle of medical rehabilitation, where patients are cared for from all angles, aiming for prevention, improved quality of life, functional capabilities, and overall health, encompassing both physical and mental aspects, to enable patients to lead a healthy life in the long run.
Main Patients Under the Care of Dr. Thanawat in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation usually present with chronic muscle and nerve problems, commonly known as Office Syndrome. Additionally, there are patients with specific diseases, such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and various types of heart diseases.
In the case of outpatients, they can either visit Dr. Thanawat directly or be referred from other departments, particularly those related to muscle issues or Office Syndrome. Office Syndrome is a condition frequently observed among office workers, which may manifest as pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and even headaches. When neurologists or muscle and skeletal specialists diagnose muscle-related problems, the patients are then referred to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for further care.
Regarding inpatients, whether they suffer from neurological disorders, cerebrovascular diseases, or injuries, after receiving treatment, if there is a need for physical rehabilitation, Dr. Thanawat’s role is to provide care and consultation. He works collaboratively with the primary physician and other specialists involved in the patient’s previous treatments.
“The main focus of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is to perform procedures to alleviate pain and restore patients’ functional abilities using various tools and techniques. These may include ultrasound, heat compress, cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and back traction. Moreover, the current medical principles also encompass acupuncture, which is utilized as part of the treatment. In terms of physical therapy, rehabilitation programs are designed to facilitate the recovery process and promote the patient’s full potential to engage in daily activities.”
Role and Importance of Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians Today
Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians are currently considered to be of great importance, as there are many groups of illnesses for which patients need to undergo post-treatment recovery. The main objective is to ensure that patients receive maximum benefits and can return to the best possible quality of life…
“Let me illustrate the impact with an impressive example from my time as a medical intern at the Phramongkutklao Hospital, a military hospital. As part of the medical team, I was assigned to care for soldiers who had been severely injured in various missions. When the patients arrived, some were unconscious, and as part of the team, we worked diligently to save lives and bring them out of danger. The doctors and the medical staff provided continuous care, helping the patients recover and gradually improve their physical capabilities. Eventually, these patients were able to return to their daily lives with a good quality of life. This experience became an inspiration for me…
