types of physical therapy types of physical therapy

5 Effective Types of Physical Therapy

We all know physical therapy, but how well are we familiar with the types of physical therapy1? Physical Therapy can be a groundbreaking encounter, regardless of when in life you need it.

You are sure to feel stunned at the effect that non-intrusive treatment can have. Yet, it is a control created over many years. Physical Therapists can help from various perspectives and in multiple illnesses, with a wide range of expertise.

Physical Therapy has advanced to great extents. Some of the major treatment protocols used by physical therapists around the globe are :



  • Light exercises


  • Massage treatment


  • Stretching


  • Hot and cold therapies

Types of Physical Therapy


Many different types of physical therapies take place.


1) Geriatric Physical Therapy

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The first entre on the list of types of physical therapy is geriatric physical therapy or geriatric rehab. Giving physical therapy to aged individuals is a test. The experience has a mixture of patients with problems related to:


  • Musculoskeletal,


  • Neurological, and


  • Cardiovascular

It is common to call a physiotherapist working with more older individuals as a ‘Handyman,’ which is a term of regard for the abilities a physiotherapist needs to tend to their patients.

All these, considering the biopsychosocial model2 to guarantee a comprehensive are patient-focused method. The therapist should have proper knowledge of fundamentals. These include:


  • Respiratory system


  • Muscular health


  • Nervous system science


  • Medication along with the consciousness of psycho-social perspectives.

For more established grown-ups, the actual undertakings of everyday life are a significant beginning stage for medicines. The solution is to incorporate (re)assessment of an individual’s capacities and challenges in performing useful assignments.

For instance, if strength and equilibrium shortfalls or mental hindrances like a dread of falling, then there are few strategies physiotherapists use that vary from those instructed for all age groups.

Taking proper consideration with some treatment strategies is a must. For instance, with an intense injury, the set of experiences taking would be the same.

Yet, the therapy would consider more of the past clinical history and pre-injury status. Treatment may, in any case, at first incorporate rest, ice, pressure, and elevation of the affected part.

The therapist would likewise need to test the skin type to consider the appropriate ice or pressure impacts. For instance, if the treatment of ice, elevation, and rest was for an oedematous lower leg.


The therapist must consider evaluating the length of the hamstring muscles to ensure the individual has proper strength in them. It will affirm whether the patient can sit for the span of the treatment as needed.

2) Neurological Physical Therapy

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Neurological Physical Therapy incorporates assessment and treatment of people with issues of the sensory system. Progressed Physical Therapy furnishes individualized one-on-one therapy with an essential spotlight on reestablishing and improvement of capacity.

Generally treated conditions include:


  • Stroke


  • Head injury


  • Spinal cord injury


  • Parkinson’s Disease


  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Guillain Barre Syndrome


  • Ataxia


  • Amyotrophic horizontal sclerosis


  • Polyneuropathies


  • Reformist neurological conditions


  • Spasticity/tone


  • Paralysis

Neurological physical therapy3 is critical for those patients with past or present neurological disorders. The cerebrum and spinal cord and the central sensory system control development and sensation.

Wounds to the central nervous system can cause damage to the nerve networks. These networks control certain developments for individuals who lose sensation.

Patients may lose many capacities and not have the option to play out specific exercises without proper treatment. The diminished force of movement prompts many other medical issues like:


  • Diabetes


  • Heart issues


  • Lung issues


  • Diminished Autonomy

Physical therapists have a vast knowledge of human development. They can show patients how to move once more and assist patients with recovering the vast majority of their lost capacities due to the injury.

The majority of the patients can figure out how to independently carry on with their lives, making them more joyful with their lives and adds to their general personal satisfaction.

This type of physical therapy follows the following procedures for treatment:


  • Neurological Physical Therapy Treatment


  • Reestablish scope of movement


  • Improve practical development and strength


  • Walk Training


  • Cardiovascular perseverance


  • Improve engine arranging and engine control


  • Decline spasticity/tone


  • Prosthesis/orthoses preparing


  • Gear assessment/suggestion to incorporate wheelchairs, sticks, walkers, or braces.


  • Postural re-arrangement


  • Improve the well-being of moves and versatility


  • Equilibrium re-preparing and re-education


  • Exercises of Daily Living (ADL) execution


  • Visual Perceptual Skill retraining

3) Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy

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The next on the list of types of physical therapy is cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary rehab. Cardiovascular rehabilitation4, additionally called heart rehab, is a redone outpatient program of activity and training.

The program intends to assist you with improving your well-being and rehabilitation from various cardiopulmonary issues5 like:


  • Coronary heart failure


  • Different types of coronary illness


  • Medical procedures to treat coronary disease.


The objectives of cardiovascular rehab are to help build up an arrangement to assist you with the following:


  • Recapturing strength


  • It keeps your condition from deteriorating


  • Decreases your danger of future heart issues


  • It improves your well-being and personal satisfaction.

Cardiovascular rehab can also help diminish your danger of death from heart diseases. It also helps decrease your risk of future heart diseases.

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology suggest cardiovascular restoration programs. Cardiac Rehabilitation or physical therapy comprises three stages.

i) Stage I: Clinical Stage

This stage starts in the inpatient setting, not long after a cardiovascular occasion or finishing a mediation. It begins by surveying the patient’s actual capacity to endure restoration.

Specialists and medical caretakers may begin by managing patients through easy activities in the bed or at the bedside. The recovery group may likewise zero in on exercises of everyday living (ADLs).

They should also instruct the patient not to apply unwanted pressure. The recovery group surveys patient requirements like assistive gadgets, patient and family training.

ii) Stage II: Outpatient Rehab

An outpatient cardiovascular recovery may start when a patient is steady and cleared via cardiology. Stage II goes for three weeks to about a month and a half. But, some may last up to as long as twelve weeks. 

At first, patients have an appraisal with an emphasis on recognizing limits. The therapist does the planning of a more thorough patient-focused treatment plan involving three modalities:


  • Data/guidance


  • Custom-fitted preparing program.


  • An unwinding program.

iii) Stage III: Post-Cardiac Rehab


 This stage includes more autonomy and self-observing. Stage III focuses on expanding adaptability, fortifying, and high-impact molding.

Goal:

Work with long-term upkeep of way of life changes, observing risk factors, and auxiliary prevention.


 Alternatives:


  • Instructive meetings


  • Care groups


  • Phone follow up


  • Survey in centers


  • Effort programs


  • Exercise program coordinated by qualified stage IV rec center educator.


  • Connections with GP and essential medical care group.


  • Continuous contribution of accomplices/life partners/family.

A randomized controlled investigation shows positive results with the web-based distant situated cardiovascular recovery program. There is likewise a pre-medical procedure stage, where the patient beginnings cardiovascular recovery.

Few examinations exhibit that the post-careful pathway is better endured by patients.

4) Pediatric Physical Therapy

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Once in a while, kids and even children need exercise-based rehab. You won’t think about strolling up the steps or getting a beverage. Those basic errands can be a genuine test, a youngster with a physical issue, or a developing deformity.

That is the place where an actual pediatric specialist can help. If your kid needs exercise-based physical therapy, they’ll work with a genuine pediatric advisor (PT). Pediatric PTs treat kids under 18, from babies to young adults.

They see kids for a wide range of reasons, including:


  • Bone/muscle issues


  • Sports-related wounds,


  • Hereditary


  • Cerebrum, spine, or nerve problems.

PTs have a long duration of preparation, and some even get a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Pediatric PTs assist kids with improving their scope of movement, strength, adaptability, and development designs.

You should expect the physical therapist to help kids move their bodies how and when they need it.

Pediatric PTs help make regular exercises simpler for youngsters. Generally, pediatric exercise-based rehab meetings should closely resemble play. PTs draw in kids with fun, age-fitting games and activities to keep them inspired and cheerful.

PTs help improves the motor abilities of the children by urging them to do things like:


  • Play on huge exercise balls to develop stability


  • Run/bounce around to enhance their coordination


  • Equilibrium on an equilibrium pillar


  • Remain on one foot


  • A PT can likewise recommend exercises to do with your kid at home.


PTs can assist kids with numerous issues, including:


  • Rehab from sports-and non-sports-related wounds


  • Not reaching proper milestones


  • Hereditary problems, for example, Down’s syndrome.


  • Muscle spasms or faulty posture

5) Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

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Orthopedic rehab can be groundbreaking from all other types of physical therapy. A gifted physical therapist (PT) can get you in the groove again with your day-by-day exercises after any ailment.

That is because an orthopedic PT spends significant time diagnosing and treating conditions. An orthopedic PT attempts to coordinate all your other large frameworks.

Most importantly, your neurological and cardiovascular frameworks and your musculoskeletal framework to treat your physical issue or condition properly.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy6 includes the consideration of your whole musculoskeletal framework, which incorporates your:


  • Bones


  • Muscles


  • Tendons and ligaments


  • Joints


  • Connective tissue


A PT who represents considerable authority in muscular health can assess your condition and analyze the issue or situation you have, which include:


  • Deciding the proper development determination.


  • Making a treatment plan.


  • Directing helpful consideration.


  • Teaching you about how to deal with your present physical issue or condition to forestall further injury.

Orthopedic rehab is available in – outpatient centers, medical clinics, talented nursing offices, sports offices, and your home. The basic degree for a PT these days is a clinical doctorate.


So when you go to work with a PT, you’re working with a specialist of movement. One who has finished three years of graduate school with hard work. Patients suffering from the following conditions go through Orthopedic rehab:


  • Knee instability


  • Plantar fasciitis


  • Scoliosis


  • Spinal stenosis


  • Stroke


  • Joint pain


  • Arthritis


  • Bursitis


  • Cancer


  • Frozen shoulder


  • Limited range of motion


  • Lower back pain


  • Lyme disease


  • Lymphedema




  • Parkinson’s disease


An orthopedic PT works in diagnosing and treating conditions and wounds that influence any piece of your musculoskeletal framework, which incorporates your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, or connective tissues.

Based upon your condition, your therapist will utilize:


  • Different helpful modalities


  • Assistive gadgets


  • Manual treatments to fix the harm, lessen pain, and reestablish your actual capacities.

By and large, you can go to a PT without getting a specialist’s reference first. However, there might be a breaking point on the occasions you can see an orthopedic PT. When you discover a therapist, you trust, focus on the treatment plan.

Discuss with your specialist so you can return to doing the things you love.

Different Types of Physical Therapy Treatments

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There are many different types of physical therapy treatments used by all the various physical therapy practitioners. We have taken the liberty to enlist a few of them. Types of physical therapy treatments:


  • Acupuncture

  • Electrical stimulation (Electrotherapy)
  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Floor exercises
  • Manual therapy

  • Aquatic Therapy (Hydrotherapy)

  • Stabilization or balance training (Vestibular therapy)
  • Therapeutic ultrasound
  • Weight training
  • Work hardening
  • Aerobic Exercises
  • Cupping therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Edema control (Dropsy)
  • Motion or gait training

Types Of Physical Therapy – The Bottomline


There are so many different types of physical therapy. All you need to do is choose the right one according to your condition.

Frequently Asked Questions


1. What Kind of Physical Therapy Is Ideal?


The following issues can benefit from orthopedic physiotherapy: ache that lasts for a long time. stiff neck. If you’re recovering from an injury, work on your motor skills.


2. Why Do People Use Physical Therapy?


Physical therapy is intended to treat pain, improve mobility, or strengthen weak muscles. Showing patients what they can do on their own to enhance their own health is a crucial objective as well.


3. What Distinguishes Physical Therapy from Physiotherapy?


The primary difference between physical therapy and physiotherapy is how they approach improving the condition of the body through movement and hands-on procedures. In essence, physical therapy is more focused on exercises while physiotherapy is more manual.


For more such articles, click here.
  1. Bender, Tamás, et al. “The effect of physical therapy on beta-endorphin levels.” European journal of applied physiology 100 (2007): 371-382. ↩︎
  2. Adler, Rolf H. “Engel’s biopsychosocial model is still relevant today.” Journal of psychosomatic research 67.6 (2009): 607-611. ↩︎
  3. Potter, Kirsten, et al. “Outcome measures in neurological physical therapy practice: part I. Making sound decisions.” Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 35.2 (2011): 57-64. ↩︎
  4. Taylor, Rod S., Hasnain M. Dalal, and Sinéad TJ McDonagh. “The role of cardiac rehabilitation in improving cardiovascular outcomes.” Nature Reviews Cardiology 19.3 (2022): 180-194. ↩︎
  5. UTLEY, JOE R. “Pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary bypass: current issues.” Journal of cardiac Surgery 5.3 (1990): 177-189. ↩︎
  6. Delitto, Anthony, and Lynn Snyder-Mackler. “The diagnostic process: examples in orthopedic physical therapy.” Physical Therapy 75.3 (1995): 203-211. ↩︎

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