It might surprise you to know that physical therapy is not something new! In fact, it’s been around for thousands of years. It is imperative in the treatment of people who are suffering from conditions that in some way affect their quality of life, whether these are the result of disease or accident.
It was as far back as in Ancient Greece that physiotherapy actually began to be classed as a profession, with Hippocrates using massage to help people regain abilities as far back at 460BC. The Greeks weren’t the only ones who were practicing this type of therapy, though, and there is actually evidence to show that exercise, massage, and movement were used to help provide cures for certain ailments in China and Egypt as well. Thousands of years in practice, yet there is still not a lot known about physical therapy, and it benefits to common illness and injury.
Physical therapy is designed to assist people to achieve the best quality of life possible – particularly if people are suffering from injury or illness. There are some different types of physical therapy available, all designed for different purposes. Here are some of them:
Orthopedic
This kind of physical therapy aims to restore the working of the musculoskeletal system. This includes things like muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. Unfortunately for sports people, this is the most common form of injury they might suffer, but it is also standard for workplace injuries. Basically, the treatment for this is a combination of stretching, endurance exercises, using heat and cooling packs and pillows, strength training and muscle stimulation.
Geriatric
The older we get, the more problems our bodies have. It is a simple fact of life. Geriatric physical therapy is aimed at those ailments that are caused by aging – such as arthritis, osteoporosis, recovery after surgery, problems with balance and more. The treatment of these has a focus on improving the fitness of the patient, reducing the overall pain levels and restoring any lost mobility.
Neurological
This type of physical therapy focuses on improving impairments that are caused by neurological disorders. These might include things like brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis; even things like vision impairment and paralysis. Treatment might include limb exercises to help move arms and legs if required, bed exercises designed to strengthen muscles, breathing exercises, and the creation of a tailored exercise plan for when the patient is home and continuing treatment themselves.
Cardiopulmonary
Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy is a unique therapy designed to help people who have suffered from illnesses such as heart attacks, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This type of treatment aims to help the sufferer build their endurance so they can return to an average, healthier and more independent lifestyle.
Pediatric
When it comes to children, often early detection of any problems can help prevent further problems later in life. Pediatric physical therapy is designed to help infants, toddlers, and children who might have issues causing developmental delay, who might have suffered from birth defects, genetic disorders, head trauma, limb deficiencies, muscle disease and acute injury. Treatments are designed specifically to cater to each child’s needs to provide the best quality of life and care for the child.
Other types of therapy include wound care to ensure enough blood and oxygen is getting to a particular wound so it can heal properly; vestibular for people with inner ear damage; decongestive for those with edema or problems with the lymph nodes; and women’s health designed specifically to help relieve pelvic pain, reduce lymphatic swelling and contribute to control urinary incontinence.
When it comes to physical therapy, you don’t want to go to someone who is inexperienced. Physical therapy is about the quality of life, and finding a physical therapy Jersey City NJ that offers you with the right therapists for the right ailments is imperative. Looking after your health is the most important thing you can do in life, so regardless of the type of care you require (or your loved ones need), there is a therapist available who knows the best treatments to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.
