6 Different Types of Physical Therapy for Specific Patients

The different types of physical therapy are: cardiopulmonary, geriatric, integumentary, neurologic, orthopedic, and pediatric.

Physical therapy is a noble health care profession specializing in assessing, evaluating, and treating individuals with disorders involving their musculoskeletal systems. The main goal of physical therapy is to improve and regain each patients’ physical function and achieve their normal fitness level while relieving pain caused by a certain disorder. Just like any physical therapy Los Angeles, treatment modalities are carried out by trained and licensed physical therapists when it is prescribed by the patient’s physician. The use of physical agents such as heat, cold, electricity, exercise, and massage varies in every patient and according to what area or type of physical therapy is needed. The different types of physical therapy are:

Cardiopulmonary

This type of physical therapy focuses on patients who suffer from cardiopulmonary disorders like heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, or respiratory failure. This therapy also helps those who are recovering from cardiac or pulmonary surgeries. Its goal is to increase each patient’s respiratory endurance by helping to clear lung secretions and restore normal heart and breathing rate without causing complications through manual therapies, like mobilization and massage.

Geriatric

As we get older, our bodies age. having an older body is often accompanied by conditions that affect our movement and gradually impedes our functionality. The primary focus of geriatric therapy is on aging adults, most preferably those who have arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and so on.

Integumentary

Integumentary physical therapy helps in the treatment of skin issues like burns or wounds. Its goals are to promote tissue healing and proper blood circulation around the organ and to clean or remove necrotic tissues that can potentially cause more injury or even immobility. The use of dressings, topical agents, mechanical lavage, traction, exercises, splints, and edema control are very common in this area.

Neurologic

Patients who have neurological disorders that need physical treatment are under this type of physical therapy. These patients are those who have Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis or who are recovering from a brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and must overcome  physical dysfunctions such as paralysis, poor balance, or involuntary muscle movements.

Orthopedic

Orthopedic physical therapy deals with patients who have musculoskeletal disorders. Therapists treat patients recovering from orthopedic surgery or who are dealing with, post-operative joint pain, arthritis, sprains, fractures, and even amputations. Treatment can include the use of electrical stimulation, strength training, joint mobilizations, and hot or cold compressions. The course of the treatments is only done in the out-patient department.

Pediatric

Pediatric physical therapy helps in the treatment of various physical health problems or disorders in younger people--infants, children, or adolescents. These patients are those experiencing congenital, neuromuscular, skeletal, or development disorders. Examples of which are cerebral palsy or spina bifida patients who have trouble with their motor and cognitive skills. The main goal of this type of physical therapy is to improve the overall fitness status of the patient.

The best way to achieve the desired health outcome with patients having mobility disorder is to go to the doctor for regular check ups. If physical therapy is advised, choose the area that specializes in the disorder for faster and effective results.