There are tons of thinks that PMR docs do that we are simply not trained to do. For example, managing the medical needs of a paraplegic with spasticity, the diabetes of a head injured patient, the entire set of needs for a complex rehab patient including their PT, OT, Speech, and medical needs both premorbid and resulting from the injury/illness etc . . .
PMR docs go to MEDICAL school, read way more chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology,physiology etc . . . than there is in PT school. PTs might be able to manage a very small part of what physiatrists do but certainly could NOT replace what they do.
Geez