Types of Physical Therapy

People receive physical therapy treatments for various reasons. Usually physical therapy is needed because of diseases or injuries that take away the abilities to properly move body parts. When this happens it can be devastating, adding emotional problems to physical disabilities. That's why physical therapies are so important to a person's total recovery. There are many different types of physical therapies targeted for particular areas of the body. However, before someone can start physical therapy, a physical therapist needs to evaluate his medical history and determine which physical therapies will work best to bring the best rehabilitation.

Identification

• Physical therapy is the provision of services or treatments for people suffering from bodily disorders or injuries usually involving the musculoskeletal system. Therapy treatments include a variety of techniques and modules to restore movement and functionality lost from injury or disease.

Benefits

• The benefits of physical therapy are many. Besides teaching patients self-management skills, physical therapies help to increase muscle strength and endurance, and restore joints and improved coordination. Muscle spasms are reduced and joints are improved by decreasing swelling and inflammation, making for an overall improvement in mental health as well as physical well-being. Most importantly, physical therapies work to return more independence to patients.

Types

• Exercise improves flexibility, coordination, strength and endurance. While stretching exercises lessen the stress on joints, lifting weights strengthens muscles. It's the little things that make a difference. Physical therapists encourage their patients to add extra steps to each day, such as finding a parking spot that's not close to a store or taking the stairs rather than an elevator.
  Education physical therapy includes educating patients in home care, and teaching them how to perform basic daily tasks related to their injuries. For example, physical therapists train patients how to protect their joints to prevent re-injuries. They demonstrate how to use medical devices as wheelchairs, walkers and crutches. Training patients to do home exercises for their injuries or conditions is another aspect of education. Showing patients how to safeguard their homes if they struggle with balance, strength or visual impairments is part of a good education program.
  Manual therapy is treatment done with hands as opposed to devices or machines. Massages help to improve circulation, ease pain and relax muscles. Mobilization, which is used to help flexibility and alignment, uses slow, precise movements designed to position joints and bones into proper alignment. Manipulation, a more forceful treatment, uses fast, powerful movements to position joints and bones. Physical therapists use manipulation therapy to treat various injuries and conditions such as neck and back pain, headaches, arthritis, shoulder pain and fibromyalgia. Massages, chiropractic medicine, osteopathic medicine and acupuncture are some of the types of manipulation therapy.
  Hot and cold therapies, which are usually used to introduce exercise therapy, are common passive therapies. Hot therapy increases blood flow, drawing blood to targeted tissues while relaxing muscles and relieving pain. Superficial heat can come from sources such as heating pads and commercial gel packs. Cold therapy slows down circulation, while reducing muscle spasm, pain and inflammation.
  Hydrotherapy, used in exercise and physical rehabilitation, uses warm compresses. For example, Jacuzzi or hot tubs use warm water for muscle relaxation, reducing pain and improving circulation. Besides these benefits, water also provides resistance to movement for building muscle strength.
  Ultrasound therapy uses equipment to produce high-frequency sound waves to a targeted body area, which generates a gentle heat. The patient feels a tingling sensation as heat works to reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasm as it speeds up healing.

Physical Therapy Specialties

• While some physical therapists work with all ages of people and varieties of problems, others specialize. Pediatric physical therapists work with children struggling with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other conditions causing delays in development. Geriatric physical therapies help elderly people improve condition created from diseases such as cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, in addition to hip and joint displacement.
  Orthopedic physical therapy involves the musculoskeletal system of muscles, bones and ligaments, and often deals with rehabilitating people following orthopedic surgery. Sports physical therapy helps people dealing with sports issues, both recreation and professional. Neurology therapy concerns problems with nerves and related muscles, while cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapists deal with heart and lung problems.

Misconceptions

• It's a common misconception that physical therapy includes prescribing medication. A physical therapist is not a doctor and therefore cannot prescribe medicine.

Warning

• You may be tempted to try a new physical therapy or exercise discovered online or through a television exercise program. However, don't try new exercises until discussing them with your physical therapist.