Physical therapists treat illnesses that limit physical movements and the ability to perform functional activities that are involved in daily life. Physical therapists work with a wide range of patients and they develop a unique rehabilitation plan for each individual. They use various forms of treatment to restore movement, strengthen and maintain muscles, prevent disability, and manage pain. Physical therapists work with those who require exercise to prevent loss of mobility as well. They are able to develop fitness and strengthening programs for patients when appropriate. The purpose of physical therapy is to maximize quality of life and improve movement potential.
Physical therapy involves a physical examination in order to establish a treatment plan along with an evaluation of a patient’s history. In some cases, imaging tests or laboratory results are used as well. Many types of patients can benefit from physical therapy, and for appropriate illnesses, physical therapy is often prescribed in conjunction with other forms of treatment. Physical therapists treat patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and they work in conjunction with other medical professionals. There are several specialties in the field of physical therapy, and each specialty is targeted for a particular group, type of treatment, or type of illness.
Types of Physical Therapy
There are six specializations of physical therapy that are recognized throughout the world. Physical therapists can specialize with patients who have neurological, orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, or integumentary diseases. They can also specialize in geriatric patients and pediatric patients. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties lists eight specializations including women’s health, sports therapy, and electrophysiology along with some of those previously mentioned. Physical therapists work with each individual patient to improve mobility and muscle function so that the patient is capable of doing more physical tasks independently.
Cardiopulmonary physical therapy involves the treatment of those who have had cardiac or pulmonary surgery or for those who have cardiopulmonary disorders. Geriatric physical therapy covers several different illnesses and physical limitations in older adults. Some of the disorders that geriatric physical therapists may help to treat include arthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis. Neurological physical therapy focuses on the treatment of those who have neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injuries.
Orthopedic physical therapists treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Treatment may be also performed after orthopedic surgery to help patients rehabilitate. Most orthopedic physical therapy is performed on an outpatient basis. Pediatric physical therapy helps manage and treat health problems that affect children. There are a wide range of illnesses and defects that physical therapists might treat in children including congenital defects or acquired illnesses.
Physical Therapy Services
Physical therapists offer a host of services for their patients to help them recover from their illnesses or disabilities. The type of services provided depend on the specialty of the physical therapist as well as the illness that is being treated. Some of the services provided by physical therapists include: aquatic therapy, posture and body mechanics treatment, neuromuscular training, manual therapy, balance training, back and neck dysfunction treatment, functional activities, athletic training, fitness programs, massage, and more.
Physical therapy services benefit patients by not only treating the symptoms of a patient’s illness or disorder, but also by training patients on how to manage their disorder. Physical therapy helps patients regain mobility in situations where they otherwise would be unable to. Patients with disabling conditions can regain the use of whatever capabilities are left with the help of physical therapy. Another major benefit of physical therapy is the prevention of further injuries.
Depending on the type of illness, physical therapy can restore substantial levels of functionality and help patients manage and reduce their symptoms such as pain and mobility limitations. Patients who are elderly can benefit from services such as balance therapy and training, strengthening exercises to maintain muscle and bone strength, back pain exercises, and range of motion exercises.
Pediatric patients benefit from treatments to improve gross and fine motor skills, balance therapy, cognitive functioning therapy, and strength building forms of physical therapy. Stroke victims benefit from neurological physical therapy treatments such as balance therapy, mobility therapy, hot/cold pack treatments, strength training, and electric stimulation modalities. Patients are provided the most advanced and relevant services and treatments for their specific illness or disability and unique needs.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
There are a number of benefits of physical therapy, and those who seek care from a physical therapist are more likely to have a faster recovery and easier manageability of whatever illness or disability that they are suffering from. Physical therapy is often recommended by medical doctors as a major part of a rehabilitation program for a disabling injury or illness. Patients are proven to have better mobility, faster recoveries, and improved functionality when they are treated with physical therapy. Patients are taught strengthening and range of motion exercises that they can perform on their own, and they are also often taught general wellness and stress reduction techniques as well.
Most patients cannot properly rehabilitate themselves due to a lack of knowledge on their illness and require the help of physical therapists who are trained to manage and rehabilitate various specific illnesses and disabilities. Those who have less serious illnesses or disabilities may still benefit from physical therapy. Physical conditions that limit mobility and cause pain can be more easily managed with the help of physical therapists. Physical therapy also involves education on how to maximize mobility without causing further progression of a disability. Those who have been injured in work accidents or falls, arthritis patients, athletes, and those with general pain or limitations can benefit from the mobility, pain relief, strengthening, and education that physical therapy can provide.
Patients may still require the assistance of occupational therapists, and there are a number of differences between the two types of therapy. An occupational therapist’s primary focus is to help a patient restore functional abilities, and they do not necessarily directly treat the injury or disability itself. Physical therapists are more involved with the direct treatment of the physical disability that a patient has. Occupational therapists work with patients to help them become more independent at more specific functional tasks like eating, dressing, and working. Physical therapists work with patients to help them become more independent at movement and mobility in general such as walking, maintaining balance, and extending limbs.
