In physical therapy, also known as the PT, trained professionals evaluate and the treat abnormal physical function related to an injury, disability, or other health condition.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapists are trained and licensed movement experts. They can diagnose and treat a range of the injuries, disabilities, and health conditions.
Physical therapists aim to improve a person’s range of motion, quality of life, and prevent further injury or disability.
Licensed physical therapists work in a range of health care settings, including outpatient offices, private clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health, sports and fitness settings, schools, nursing homes, professional settings, government agencies, and research centers.
What are you expecting?
A physical therapist assists in patient care at all stages of recovery, from initial diagnosis to the restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be a stand-alone option, or it may support other treatments.
Some patients are referred by a doctor to a physical therapist, while others seek treatment on their own.
According to the World Federation of Physiotherapy, a physical therapist receives training that enables them to:
- Perform a physical examination and assessment of the person’s movement, flexibility, muscle and joint movement and performance, including knowledge of their health history
- Giving clinical diagnosis, prognosis and plan of care with short and long-term goals
- Carry out treatment and physiotherapy intervention
- Make recommendations for self-management, including exercises that anyone can do at home
Aside from physical manipulation, physical therapy may include:
1. Iontophoresis
This electrical current is used to deliver certain medications, such as topical steroids. This can reduce the presence of inflammation.
2. Electrical stimulation (e-stim)
There are two types of electrical stimulation. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces pain. By contrast, neuromuscular electrical stimulation stimulates muscular motor units to improve muscle engagement.
3. Heat, moist heat, and cold therapy
These may provide benefits for a range of conditions.
4. Light therapy
This involves using the special lights and lasers to treat certain medical conditions.
5. Physiotherapy may help in common cases
Physical therapists can provide complementary treatment for a variety of medical conditions, depending on their specialty.
Although physical therapists may not directly and independently treat a medical condition other than purely musculoskeletal conditions, they work to improve recovery or educate the person about how to improve their movement patterns.
Some of the conditions that can benefit from physical therapy are:
- Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and heart failure following myocardial infarction
- Conditions that affect the hand, such as the carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain, rotator cuff tear, and temporomandibular joint disorders
- Neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injury
- Pediatric diseases, including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
- Sports injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow
- Poor female and pelvic floor health, including enuresis and lymphedema
- Skin diseases or injuries, such as burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers
Benefits of physical therapy
Depending on the reason for the treatment, the benefits of physical therapy may include:
- Pain management with reduced need for opioids
- Avoid surgery
- Improve movement and movement
- Healing from injury or trauma
- Recovery from stroke or paralysis
- Fall prevention
- improve balance
- Managing age-related medical problems
A sports therapist can help an athlete achieve maximum performance by strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.
A physical therapist or other health care professional can advise individuals about the benefits of their personal medical history and their need for treatment.
Species
There are many types of physical therapy, and therapists usually choose a specialty. These types include:
1. Orthopedic physical therapy
treats musculoskeletal injuries, including the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascia, and tendons. They are suitable for conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendinitis, bursitis, chronic health problems, and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients may undergo treatment with joint movement, manual therapy, strength exercises, movement training, and other methods.
2. Physical therapy for seniors
It can help seniors with conditions that affect their movement and physical function, including arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, and incontinence. This type of intervention aims to restore mobility, reduce pain, and increase fitness levels.
3. Neurophysiotherapy
It can help people with neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Treatment may aim to increase limb response, improve movement patterns, manage tone, improve strength, and enhance balance.
4. Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation
This can benefit people affected by certain cardiopulmonary diseases and surgical procedures. Treatment can increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance and endurance.
5. Wound care therapy
This can help ensure that a fused wound receives enough oxygen and blood by improving circulation. Physical therapy may include the use of manual therapies, electronic stimulation, acupressure, and wound care.
6. Vestibular therapy
aims to treat balance problems that can result from diseases of the inner ear. Vestibular physical therapy includes a number of exercises and manual techniques that can help patients restore their balance and coordination.
7. Decongestant therapy
It can help drain accumulated fluid in patients with lymphedema and other conditions involving fluid buildup.
8. Pelvic floor rehabilitation
This can help treat conditions that affect the pelvic floor, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, urinary urgency and pelvic pain as a result of injuries, surgery, or due to certain conditions.