Physical therapy has progressed from simply teaching an injured person to walk again to rehabilitating wounded veterans with prosthetic hands. As medical technology has become more specialized, and doctors can now restore capability and mobility to people who would not have otherwise had the opportunity, physical therapy has evolved to adjust to these new advancements.
Even with this evolution in physiotherapy, it maintains the basics. Physical therapy still includes gentle exercises, stretches, massage therapy, and hot and cold therapeutic treatments.
Let’s talk about the different types of physical therapy and how they can help you.
Neurological Physical Therapy
Spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, strokes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, brain injuries, or cerebral palsy are all neurological issues that affect the nervous system, which is how your brain controls your body. Most neurological problems are chronic, which means they are unlikely to be completely healed; however, physical therapy can have a significant positive impact on life with a neurological disorder. By learning and practicing small therapeutic exercises, the effects of neurological disorders on muscles and movement can be smoothed out and made much more manageable.
Occupational Physical Therapy
This is usually prescribed after a workplace accident or a repetitive-use injury. This type of physical therapy teaches you how to perform job tasks properly, such as lifting using your knees rather than your back, standing up from your desk and walking around on a regular basis, and performing work activities with proper posture.
Occupational therapists look after the entire person, not just the injured part. This physical therapy method is a general wellness approach that focuses on total health and full rehabilitation.
Rehabilitative Physical Therapy
Physical rehabilitation is vital in the recovery process after major surgery. Rehab typically begins while the patient is still in the hospital and continues after discharge, during which time the patient must relearn how to move and perform basic household tasks.
Athletes who have been injured undergo physical rehabilitation as well. From elementary school gymnasts to retired golfers, athletes of all ages can sustain sports injuries.
During rehabilitation, you will learn simple exercises that you can do regularly to help your body become stronger, more flexible, and have a wider range of motion. Your physical therapist will explain how often you should perform the exercises and will be available to you if you have any questions or are experiencing excessive pain while performing certain exercises.
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Childhood is a period of fast physical growth, and problems in childhood can have a long-term negative impact on a person’s life. Pediatric physical therapy is specifically designed to assist adolescents, children, and babies in making the most of their growth, overcoming problems, and building muscular and skeletal strength. It frequently teaches them movement types and ranges of movement that they may have never experienced before.
Hand Therapy
This therapy is intended for those who have sustained an injury to their hand or upper arm. The objective is for patients to regain as much use of their hands and fingers while avoiding recurrence of the injury.
Hand therapy is now routine for those who suffer from hand arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tendonitis in their hands. Of course, hand therapy, occupational therapy, and traditional physical therapy all have a lot in common.
Manual Physical Therapy
Traditional manual massage is used in physical therapy to help injured or painful muscles and joints. This is an excellent form of treatment for those who have been injured in an accident or who are recovering from surgery.
Massage therapy can be performed by a physical therapist to gently stretch and work sore areas of the body. Additionally, the therapist may show how to stretch and massage specific areas on your own to ensure that the benefits of physical therapy are maintained. This may include the use of ice and heat therapy.
Geriatric Physical Therapy
The older we get, the less agile we become, which can be a major issue. When combining that with a few other factors, natural movements become extremely difficult for the elderly.
Geriatric physical therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the elderly’s mobility and movement issues. It includes addressing both natural movement and mobility issues and those caused by musculoskeletal conditions. Osteoporosis, arthritis, and certain cancers are examples of these conditions.
Geriatric physical therapy addresses the movement limitations of the elderly and alleviates the pain associated with specific movements. Small exercises are also part of this therapy to keep the elderly fit for their age.
Physical Therapy in Kearney, NE
Physical therapy is always about promoting proper healing and regaining control and function of an injured or painful body area. It can also be done to avoid or delay surgery.
If you are looking for a physical therapist in the Kearney, NE area, Elite Health and Wellness can help. Contact our friendly team today by calling (308) 455 1500 or requesting an appointment online, and allow us help you get back to your active lifestyle.
