In physical therapy, trained professionals evaluate and treat abnormal physical function related to, for example, an injury, disability, disease or condition. A physical therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional with experience in diagnosing physical abnormalities, restoring physical function and mobility, maintaining physical function, promoting physical activity and proper function.

What to Expect

A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis through the restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other treatments. Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by their doctor, but seek therapy themselves.

Whichever way a patient comes to a physical therapist, they can expect to:

• Undergo a physical exam and evaluation, including a health history and certain testing procedures, including evaluation of posture, movement and flexibility, and of muscle and joint motion and performance.
• Receive a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, short and long term goals.
• Receive physical therapy treatment and intervention based on the therapist’s evaluation and diagnosis.
• Receive self-management recommendations.

Patients often train with a physical therapist in exercises that they can do at home, to help them function more effectively.

Common Conditions

Physical therapists can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, depending on their speciality.

Some conditions that can benefit from this type of treatment are:

• Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis.
• Hand therapy for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.
• Musculoskeletal dysfunctions such as back pain and rotator cuff tears.
• Neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Paediatric conditions such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy and muscle dystrophy.
• Sports-related injuries such as concussion and tennis elbow.
• Women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence and lymphedema.

Other cases that may benefit include burns, wound care and diabetic ulcers.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy include:

• Pain management with reduced need for opioids
• Avoiding surgery
• Improved mobility and movement
• Recovery from stroke or paralysis
• Fall prevention
• Improved balance
• Management of age-related problems

A sports therapist can help an athlete to maximize their performance through strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.

A healthcare provider or physical therapist can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.

Bioscint can supply clients with all the variety of physiotherapy devices required through a leading Japanese brand called ITO Physiotherapy. ITO manufactures top quality devices for all physiotherapy applications.

Types

As with any medical practice, a variety of therapies can be applied to treat a range of conditions.

Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal injuries, involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascias and tendons. It is suitable for medical conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendinitis, bursitis, chronic medical problems and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients may undergo treatment with joint mobilisations, manual therapy, strength training and mobility training.

Geriatric physical therapy can help older patients 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 can help people with neurological disorders and 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, treat paralysis and reverse increase muscles strength by reducing muscle atrophy.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation can benefit people affected by some cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures. Treatment can increase physical endurance and stamina.

Pediatric physical therapy aims to diagnose, treat and manage conditions that affect infants, children and adolescents, including developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system.

Wound care therapy can help to 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, electric stimulation, compression therapy and wound care.

Apart from physical manipulation, physical therapy treatment may involve:

• Ultrasound, to promote blood flow and healing by heating the tendons, muscles and tissues.
• Phonophoresis, which uses ultrasound to deliver certain medications such as topical steroids. This can decrease the presence of inflammation.
• Electrical stimulation or E-stim, which uses topical electrodes on the skin to reduce pain and increase functional capabilities. One type of E-stim is trans cutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). At times, anti-inflammatory medications are used with certain E-stim modalities and is referred to as iontophoresis.
• Heat, moist heat and cold therapy.
• Light therapy , in which special lights and lasers are used to treat certain medical conditions.

The physical therapist will recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Bioscint can supply to clients with all the variety of physiotherapy devices required through a leading Japanese brand called ITO Physiotherapy. ITO manufactures top quality devices for all physiotherapy applications.

Source: medicalnewstoday