The benefits of physical therapy are many and can be administered to all ages covering an entire range of acute and chronic issues. Though the basic understanding about physical therapy may exist, there is not much understanding about the different applications of the same. Physical therapy is not only about pain management The ultimate objective of physical therapy is to enhance health and improve the quality of life
Physical therapy deals with different health issues and injuries across all age groups. The aim of this article is to focus on the different types of physical therapy and how it can be beneficial to people dealing with a variety of health issues.
Let’s understand the main types of physical therapy and their multi-fold advantages:
Musculoskeletal physical therapy
Musculoskeletal or orthopaedic physical therapy focuses on the non-invasive treatment and restoration of any condition related to the musculoskeletal system. Our musculoskeletal system consists of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Any type of pain related to the neck, back, ankle, knee, and fractures, injuries, or sprains related to these areas are treated using musculoskeletal physical therapy.
The physical therapist can diagnose and treat any musculoskeletal ailments to improve posture, mobilization and flexibility. Different interventions like stretching and balance exercises, cryotherapy, spine manipulation techniques, heat and ice therapy, and so may be used. Post planning a personalised regime the therapist can also recommend various at-home exercises to improve the patient’s condition.
The benefits of musculoskeletal physical therapy includes:
- Improving mobility
- Eradicating pain
- Treating injuries
- Treating soft tissue damage
Paediatric physical therapy
This is aimed at providing services to infants and children. Physical therapists focus on assessment and treatments to help children with mobility, balance, flexibility, motor coordination, core stability, mental development and more. It aims to improve the growth and development in children. This type of physical therapy also helps in dealing with issues like muscle related conditions, birth defects, developmental delays, cerebral palsy and so on.
The benefits of this type of physical therapy includes:
- Treating any congenital or birth disabilities, genetic disorders, or developmental delays
- Improving overall motor skills
- Helping with posture, gait, balance
- Developing strength and endurance
Women-centric physical therapy
This deals with the female reproductive system and conditions associated. It helps in providing pre-natal and post-natal care and eases the childbirth process. It can also be beneficial in dealing with fertility issues in women.
This type of physical therapy aims at:
- Strengthening the core
- Improved control of urinary functions
- Strengthening the pelvic muscles
- Reducing discomfort in pregnant women
Geriatric physical therapy
This type of physical therapy deals with services provided to older adults for age related conditions. As the body ages the metabolism begins to slow down and can result in several problems. Geriatric physical therapy also help to reduce the chances of injuries through falls, improve mobility, alleviate pain and restore overall health in the elderly. This kind of physical therapy is also beneficial in treating age-related conditions like arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, knee related issues and loss of mobility.
Some advantages of geriatric physical therapy:
- Restoring strength, endurance, and mobility
- Treating chronic pain
- Improving posture and flexibility
- Dealing with age-related ailments
Neurological physical therapy
This deals with conditions related to the nervous system. This type of physical therapy helps to deal with complications which stem from stroke, head and spinal cord injuries, conditions like Parkinson’s disease, sciatica, multiple sclerosis etc. which can lead to paralysis, lack of sensation, tremor in limbs and so on.
Certain benefits of neurological physical therapy:
- Building strength and coordination
- Improving motor function
- Increasing sensation
- Recovery post brain surgery
Cardio-respiratory physical therapy
This kind of physical therapy is specifically useful for people suffering from diseases related to the heart, chest, and lungs. While recovering from COVID-19 many patients have benefited from cardio-respiratory therapy. This is also useful for people who suffer from asthma, chest infections, trauma, chronic cardiac and respiratory conditions.
Some benefits of this therapy:
- Breathing exercises which improves shortness of breath, chronic cough, and cardiac conditions
- Resistance training
- Improving of overall quality of life
Sports physical therapy
This is focussed on helping athletes and sports professionals which deals with assessment and treatments of sports injuries and exercises to improve stamina and endurance. For sports athletes and professionals undergo rigorous training in this type of physical therapy.
Certain benefits of sports physical therapy:
- Resilience training and overall stamina
- Prevention of injuries
- Improving flexibility
- Fast healing techniques
Post-operative rehabilitation
Physical therapy is extremely important right after a joint or knee replacement surgery. Physical therapists in post-surgery rehabilitation aim at restoring normal movement of the affected area and related joints, developing strength in the area and its surrounding muscles along with easing pain and swelling in the lower body. This kind of therapy can also improve flexibility that helps avoid any serious injuries along with reducing pain.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
This focuses on the rehabilitation of the body’s balance and reduces any dizziness-related issues. This condition may be due to inner ear disorder, side effects of any medicines, brain or heart issues, neck dysfunction, and so on. The vestibular physical therapist also helps in improving balance through various exercise routines.
This kind of physical therapy can help with the symptoms of:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo and imbalance
- Headaches
- Frequent falls
- Blurry vision
VARDĀN is a Times Group wellness initiative in collaboration with the Institute of Physical Art, USA that introduces world-class Functional Manual Therapy®️ (FMT™ ) to India.
Functional Manual Therapy®️ (FMT™ ) @ VARDĀN is a system of physical therapy which offers highly skilled hands-on treatment for orthopaedic, neurological, sports and all other kinds of physical therapy listed above.
Functional Manual Therapy®️ (FMT™ ) is different from regular physical therapy as it combines mobility treatment along with neuromuscular facilitation which enables activation of the right muscles required to provide proper strength and endurance as required along with proper coordination necessary for posture and mobility.
To know more about (FMT™️) call us at :
+91 011 43580720-22, or visit vardan.in or write to us on: vardan@timesgroup.com
