Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy may include:
- pain management with reduced need for opioids
- avoiding surgery
- improved mobility and movement
- recovery from injury or trauma
- recovery from stroke or paralysis
- fall prevention
- improved balance
- management of age-related medical problems
A sports therapist can help an athlete maximize their performance by strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.
A physical therapist or other healthcare professional can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.
Types Of Physical Therapy
There are many types of physical therapy, and therapists often choose to specialize. These types include:
- Orthopedic physical therapy: This treats musculoskeletal injuries, involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascia, and tendons. It is 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 mobilizations, manual therapy, strength training, mobility training, and other modalities.
- Geriatric physical therapy: This can help older adults who develop conditions that affect their mobility 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 physical fitness levels.
- Neurological physical therapy: This 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 responsiveness, improve movement patterns, manage tone, improve strength, and promote balance.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: This can benefit people affected by some cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures. Treatment can increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
- Wound care therapy: This can help ensure that a healing wound is receiving adequate oxygen and blood by way of improved circulation. Physical therapy may include the use of manual therapies, e-stim, compression therapy, and wound care.
- Vestibular therapy: This aims to treat balance problems that can result from inner ear conditions. Vestibular physical therapy involves a number of exercises and manual techniques that can help patients regain their balance and coordination.
- Decongestive therapy: This can help drain accumulated fluid in patients with lymphedema and other conditions that involve fluid accumulation.
- 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 or surgery or because of certain conditions.
What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Pediatric physical therapy aims to diagnose, treat, and manage conditions that affect infants, children, and adolescents. Such conditions may include:
- developmental delays
- cerebral palsy
- spina bifida
- torticollis
- other conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system
Pediatric physical therapists work to improve mobility, alleviate pain, develop or restore function, and prevent or decrease permanent physical disabilities.
They work closely with children and their families and caregivers to improve a child’s ability to function independently and actively at home and at school.
Finding a suitable physical therapist can involve a number of factors, including insurance acceptance, specialty and reason for treatment, and geographical location.
Insurance companies often have lists of physical therapy locations that participate in specific health plans. Other healthcare professionals may have a list of therapists in the area whom they recommend.
Physical therapists can specialize in fields such as:
- cardiovascular and pulmonary health
- clinical electrophysiology
- health for older adults
- neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and sports physical therapy
Physical therapy can be very beneficial for people with certain injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions.
Precision Pain Care and Rehabilitation has two convenient locations in Richmond Hill – Queens, and New Hyde Park – Long Island. Call the Queens office at (718) 215-1888 or (516) 419-4480 for the Long Island office to arrange an appointment with our Interventional Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Chacko
