Physical therapy is a process through which patients recover and rehabilitate from injuries to the body. Physical therapists work with people of all ages and abilities, from infants and children to professional athletes and senior citizens. Physical therapy consists of multiple treatment techniques, including manual therapy (joint mobilization), therapeutic exercise (like muscle strengthening), functional training (carrying out daily tasks) as well as gait training for those with lower extremity issues such as ankle sprains or ACL tears, balance retraining activities for post-op clients rehabilitating from foot/ankle surgery or knee/hip replacement, among others. This article will look at the different types of physical therapy that people undergo, as well as the benefits that they may expect to find from those physical therapy sessions.
Types of Physical Therapy
- Aquatic Therapy - This is a form of physical therapy commonly used to rehabilitate musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions. Water provides support and resistance for the patient allowing them to build strength with less pain. The buoyancy of water lightens the load on arthritic joints or injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments while providing an ideal medium for therapeutic exercise.
- Massage Therapy - Massage therapy has been shown to play a critical role in recovering from sports injuries by increasing blood flow throughout the body through loosening tight soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. This increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients needed to repair damaged cells while removing waste products, including lactic acid.
- Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapists work with mental or physical disabilities and help them achieve everyday life skills (dressing, bathing, feeding, etc.). An occupational therapist will identify a patient's functional limitations and create an individualized treatment plan to assist with their specific needs. The goal is to develop the most effective treatment program possible for each patient, ensuring their needs are met.
- Oncology (Cancer) Therapy - This style of physical therapy is used to treat cancer patients experiencing a loss of muscle strength due to chemotherapy or other tumor treatments. Chemotherapy treatment can cause side effects such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, making it difficult for the patient to complete simple tasks like walking upstairs or getting out of bed. Treatment focuses on restoring mobility and endurance through strengthening, stretching, and cardiovascular exercises. These routines will help improve quality of life by improving strength/endurance, building muscle, and supporting the immune system with time.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
There’s plenty of reasons that doctor’s require a patient to undergo physical therapy and why there are so many forms of it. Some of the benefits include:
- Increased Strength - Physical therapy can assist in strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint. This added strength reduces pain and stiffness when moving, protects against future injury by building resistance to stress, and speeds up recovery time after surgery.
- Increased Control - Physical therapists teach patients how to safely perform specific exercises that improve coordination in order to maintain or gain greater control of the joint/s involved in their condition. As a result, patients who continue an exercise program at home can reduce pain symptoms, enhancing the overall quality of life.
- Increased Endurance - Patients learn how to control breathing patterns which help decrease the strain placed on the body during physical activity around the affected joint(s). Patients are then able to complete everyday tasks with less pain and less fatigue.
- Increased Mobility - Physical therapists utilize various exercises to help the joints of the patient's affected limb become more mobile. This allows for a greater range of motion, which can improve the function of that specific joint and surrounding muscles and tendons, which often leads to less pain during physical activity and at rest.
- Better Posture - Physical therapy treatment sessions may include specific exercises aimed at improving posture. This is because poor posture can lead to muscle fatigue, muscle strain, and back pain.
- Improved Bone Strength - Physical therapists utilize a multitude of exercises to improve bone strength. This is especially important in patients who have suffered a fracture, breaks, or other injuries which have compromised the integrity of the bones involved.
- A Better Quality Of Life - Pain and stiffness can negatively affect an individual's ability to sleep well at night, concentrate during the day and perform daily activities that are normally routine for others without pain. Physical therapy has significantly reduced pain symptoms, allowing individuals with chronic conditions/injuries to live healthier, happier lives.
Physical Therapy and Medical Insurance
Physical therapy is generally covered by health insurance, but patients should consult with their insurance company to ensure coverage includes physical therapy services. Some are very restrictive and only allow for the minimums. For physical therapy to work best, the minimum is often not enough.
Physical therapists work with people of all ages and abilities, from infants and children to professional athletes and senior citizens. Physical therapy consists of multiple treatment techniques, including manual therapy (joint mobilization), therapeutic exercise (like muscle strengthening), functional training (carrying out daily tasks) as well as gait training for those with lower extremity issues such as ankle sprains or ACL tears, balance retraining activities for post-op clients rehabilitating from foot/ankle surgery or knee/hip replacement, among others. Other treatments include hydrotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and traction.