These Are the Different Types of Physical Therapy

Are you thinking about scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist?

Physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. It can help you relieve pain, recover from a stroke, improve your mobility, manage chronic conditions, and much more. 

But, before you schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, it’s important to know about the different types of physical therapy available. Check out this guide to learn about the most common types of physical therapy. 

1. Orthopedic Physical Therapy 

An orthopedic physical therapist works with patients to help manage and treat injuries and disorders related to the musculoskeletal system. Additionally, orthopedic therapists help patients recover from orthopedic surgery. 

Typically, you’ll visit a physical therapist in an outpatient clinic. Those who suffer from sports injuries, amputations, arthritis, and joint issues can especially benefit from seeing an orthopedic physical therapist. Orthopedic physical therapists also help treat:

• Sprains 
• Fractures
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis

An orthopedic physical therapist will prescribe you the right exercises for the specific condition that affects your muscles, bones, or joints. 

2. Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Physical Therapist 

If you suffer from some sort of cardiovascular or pulmonary problem, then this type of physical therapist is right for you. Cardiovascular/pulmonary physical therapists treat patients who have suffered from heart attacks, pulmonary fibrosis, or other conditions related to the heart or the circulatory system. 

The primary goal of a cardiovascular physical therapist is to ensure that their patients increase their endurance and functional independence. 

3. Pediatric Physical Therapist

A pediatric physical therapist helps children and babies make the most of their growth and overcome problems related to the muscular and skeletal system. 

Treatments in this area of physical therapy focus on improving:

• Balance and coordination
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Cognitive and sensory processing
• Strength and endurance

Pediatric physical therapists typically see children with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, torticollis, or spina bifida. 

4. Geriatric Physical Therapist 

A geriatric physical therapist works with elderly patients. In this field, physical therapists work with patients who suffer from:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Incontinence 
• Balance disorders

Geriatric physical therapists create individualized programs to help their patients with pain reduction, mobility restoration, and better fitness levels. 

5. Neurological Physical Therapist 

Another common type of physical therapy is neurological physical therapy. Neurological physical therapists treat problems such as:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Parkinson’s 
• Alzheimer’s

Oftentimes, neurological problems are chronic, which means that they can’t be healed outright. However, a physical therapist can have a huge impact on improving your life with a neurological disorder. 

6. Vestibular Physical Therapist 

This type of physical therapy focuses on problems of the inner ear that can cause dizziness. 

A vestibular physical therapist helps their patient overcome symptoms of inner ear problems such as vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. A physical therapist of this type can help teach you better balance so that your muscles become steadier and stronger. 

If you’re interested in this type of physical therapy, you can check out Healthfx Physiotherapy. 

Types of Physical Therapy: Which is Right for You? 

Now that you know about the different types of physical therapy, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. With the right physical therapist, you can heal your body and your mind. 

Be sure to check back into our blog for more articles like this one!