Physical Therapy: Who Can Benefit from It?
Physical therapy is the evaluation and treatment of issues affecting the physical function of the body by qualified, licenses, and trained professionals. These professional physical therapists are found in a wide array of healthcare places such as hospitals, private clinics, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, sports and fitness centers, occupational settings, and more.
The abnormal physical conditions usually relate to a disability, an injury, disease, or medical condition.
When Do People Need Physical Therapy?
When people consider physical therapy, or when their general practitioner refers them to a specialist, it’s usually because they are recovering from surgery or treating a physical injury. However, there are many different conditions that physical therapy can help address.
Aside from orthopedic conditions, patients suffering from autoimmune disorders and neurological diseases can benefit from this type of treatment.
Types of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy has the following subspecialties. Depending on your specific medical condition, you should go to a physical therapist that specializes in any of the following conditions:
Orthopedic
This type of physical therapy focuses on issues relating to the musculoskeletal system. The joints, ligaments, bones, and tendons are part of this system. Orthopedic physical therapists employ the following treatment methods: endurance exercises, stretching, joint mobilization, strength training, and muscle stimulation.
Geriatric
This type of therapy treats older adults. It focuses on the physical function and movement of older individuals. Conditions that come with old age, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, joint issues, and balance disorders affect the physical mobility of people.
Geriatric physical therapists work to help in the restoration of function, pain reduction, and overall better physical conditions of older patients.
Pediatric
As opposed to geriatric physical therapy, the pediatric counterpart specializes in treating infants, children, and adolescents. When an infant or child exhibits mobility or physical function issues, the need for early detection is crucial.
Congenital disabilities, genetic disorders, muscle diseases, trauma and acute injuries are the usual conditions treated with physical therapy for children.
The treatment used for this condition generally includes therapeutic exercises suited for children. These exercises help them in managing the pain, regaining their balance and motion, and improving their flexibility.
Neurological
This type of physical therapy treats neurological issues and impairments. Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, spinal cord conditions, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, and cerebral palsy are some of the conditions that affect the neurological system.
Physical therapists closely work with neurologists to develop a care and treatment plan for patients with neurological conditions. The goal is to get the best level of physical function and mobility. While you may not achieve full restoration, achieving the highest level of movement to help in daily living is already feat in itself.
Cardiopulmonary
Pulmonary and cardiovascular physical therapist focus on treating patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. These conditions affect the respiratory functions of the body. The main goal of the treatment is to improve the patients’ endurance and independent mobility.
Women’s Health
This is an emerging branch of physical therapy that focuses on relieving female patients’ pelvic pain, controlling urinary issues, and reducing swelling in the lymphatic system.
Benefits
The benefits you get from physical therapy depend on your specific situation, your medical history, your reason for seeking this type of treatment. The main benefits include
- Reduced need for pain medication and opioids
- Pain management
- Surgery avoidance
- Improved balance
- Help recover from paralysis or stroke
- Help recover from acute injuries or trauma
Physical therapists specializing in sports physical therapy can help a professional or amateur athlete achieve their highest level of function. This helps in maximizing their athletic performance.
Physical therapists can help treat a multitude of medical conditions. However, keep in mind the specified specialties we mentioned above.
Finding Reliable Physical Therapists
Finding a suitable and reliable physical therapist that you feel comfortable working with include several factors. These considerations include the cost, whether your insurance is accepted, their accessibility, their specialty, and your need for treatment.
The easiest way to locate them is to go online and search for physical therapists within your local area. You can also visit the American Physical Therapy Association website’s Find a PT function.
You can also get recommendations from friends and family that have undergone physical therapy. To find out more about how physical therapy can help improve your life, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice.