Different Types of Physiotherapy

Introduction

People of all ages can benefit from physiotherapy, which can be a life-changing experience. To help patients achieve the best results, physiotherapists employ a combination of hands-on manual and exercise-based treatments. Physiotherapy has numerous advantages, including increased range of motion and bodily flexibility. Continue reading to learn about the many types of physiotherapy available.

What are the different types of physiotherapy?

Before we discuss the different types of physiotherapy, let’s discuss the definition of physiotherapy and its purpose. Physiotherapy is a type of physical therapy designed to assist patients in getting back on their feet after an injury or trauma. It’s a sort of rehab that focuses on the musculoskeletal system to improve movement problems. 

Injury, disability, disease, or other conditions can produce abnormal function, which a physiotherapist can diagnose, treat, and examine all factors to see if physical therapy is the best option for your health following a trauma or injury. Physiotherapy can help patients recover from injuries and trauma in various ways. However, keep in mind that physiotherapy uses a variety of physical techniques to treat patients, including massage, heat, and exercise.

Additionally, physical therapy can reduce pain, improve range of motion, and allow for weight-bearing on injured parts. Physiotherapy can even help to relieve pain after surgery or avoid surgery entirely. Add in the ability to boost cardiovascular function and lung capacity while managing diabetes, balance, and stability for a significant form of therapy. Even those with sports injuries and pregnancy issues can use physiotherapy to their advantage. 

What is orthopedic physiotherapy?

Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on improving the function of your orthopedic system, which includes your joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments. The goal of therapy is to help you improve your flexibility, range of motion, and strength. In addition, orthopedic physical therapy is designed to help you get back on your feet and enjoy life again.

With orthopedic physical therapy, you will gain a host of therapies, including ice, heat, electrical stimulation, laser, dry needling, water, and even ultrasound. These are used to improve your flexibility and blood flow, as well as relax you, reduce edema, and, most significantly, relieve pain. Additionally, orthopedic therapy uses assistive devices to help with recovery, including walkers, crutches, canes, braces, and slings. 

Many options and methods allow orthopedic therapy to assist patients to increase and improve strength, balance, range of motion, functional mobility, endurance, and flexibility. With a variety of active and passive therapies, orthopedic physiotherapy can help patients to recover quicker and help to prevent repeat injuries. 

What is geriatric physiotherapy?

Geriatric refers to elderly adults over 65, and physiotherapy refers to physical therapy focused on muscles and joints that lose strength and stability over time. This change may have an adverse effect on an older person’s ability to accomplish daily duties and motions such as changing positions, standing, walking, and descending and ascending stairs.

Geriatric physical therapy is a type of physical therapy tailored to the needs and challenges of older people. Geriatric physical therapy considers that as people age, they become less active, lose muscle strength, coordination, and response time, and have a lesser tolerance for physical exertion. Therefore, geriatric physical therapy differs from other types of physical therapy in that it focuses on helping older persons gain strength and endurance in various ways.

The therapy can help keep adults active, prevent or reverse previous conditions, prevent muscle atrophy, decrease the risk of falls and similar injuries, and help elderly individuals maintain independence to continue daily activities. Patients can practice this form of therapy in hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and even at home as an outpatient. Therapists can use many tools to help with geriatric physiotherapy, including multiple forms of training and tools. 

What is sports physiotherapy?

Sports physical therapy, often known as sports therapy, is a type of physical treatment that focuses on athletes. Physical therapists, in general, will be able to assist with injury rehabilitation. On the other hand, a sports-specific physical therapist is trained to deal with the injuries and physiological components of sports and exercise. As a result, they better understand exercise science and biomechanics, both of which are crucial in the prevention and full recovery of sports-related injuries.

Because sports physical therapists specialize in athletes, they can devise a treatment and preventative strategy tailored to the athlete’s particular sport. Depending on the sport, each athlete responds to a treatment plan uniquely, just as each person’s body responds to a treatment plan in a unique way. First, a physical therapist will build a plan based on a thorough evaluation that considers sport and movement, physiology, strengths and limitations, and injury risk. Then, they will create a plan that includes sports-specific and position-specific workouts to help the player enhance his or her movement.

What is pediatric physiotherapy?

Physical therapists for children work with children and their families to help them attain their full potential in terms of independence and active engagement in the home, school, and community. Physical therapists are professionals that specialize in mobility, motor development, and body function (e.g., strength and endurance). They use clinical reasoning to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and treat children, adolescents, and young adults. 

Pediatric physiotherapy promotes children’s health and well-being, including developmental activities, movement, mobility, strengthening, toning, posture, and pain management. Focusing on gross motor skills, physical therapy for children can help with everything from genetic disorders to developmental delays. In addition, this form of therapy can help children of all ages using different methods than needed for adults for more custom treatment. 

Which type of physiotherapy is most common?

Orthopedic and sports physiotherapies are the most common as bones and sports can cause many difficulties when used incorrectly. In addition, many people tend to injure themselves while participating in sports which makes sports therapy quite popular. The two types of therapy go hand in hand, as you can find orthopedic therapy in sports therapy. However, all forms of physiotherapy are necessary with a special place to help all individuals. 

How do you choose a physiotherapist?

Before picking a physiotherapist, you should consider their qualifications, expertise, location, treatment methods, availability, and reputation. While it makes sense to choose a therapist based just on the location with a reputable presentation or that except your insurance, not all places are the same. Definitely consider these factors but do your research too. 

It’s not easy to pick a physiotherapist! A physiotherapist is someone you can trust to listen to you, understand your problem, and help you achieve your goals. Because you may be spending a significant amount of money on your therapy, you will want someone who will give you good value for your money and be upfront with you about the amount of treatment required and how long it may take. 

Start by talking to others who may have attended and research the company before accepting an appointment and finding out if you have the right dynamic between you and the therapist. If you do not have a good relationship with your therapist, it will impact your recovery. Also, check to make sure your insurance company covers the location and therapist of your choice. 

Finally, ensure the therapist you see specializes in the type of care you need. While all therapists can help in some fashion, specialties have more precise methods to treat specific body areas. Make sure your therapist gives you homework to practice at home to help to train you for better practices in the future. 

Why Choose Portland Wellness Care for Physiotherapy?

Portland Wellness Care collaborates with a number of insurance companies in order to serve a larger number of people. We also use a variety of integrated medical resources to give you the care your body requires, combining western and eastern medical services. We offer same-day and walk-in appointments with the greatest professionals for speedy relief from sprains.

Get a customized physiotherapy treatment plan from a team of therapists that are ready to help you get back on your feet. With various extra pain management and therapies, we can help you find the right treatments to help you feel better and recover from injuries. Call Portland Wellness Care right now to schedule an appointment with one of our physiotherapy specialists. 

Conclusion

Physiotherapy’s advantages have been known for decades. However, most individuals are unaware that this treatment comes in a variety of formats. Physiotherapy for geriatrics, pediatrics, and orthopedics are just a few examples. Each one focuses on a particular condition and uses a different treatment strategy. In addition, exercise is a component of all modalities of physiotherapy. Find out if physiotherapy can help you accomplish your health goals by calling Portland Wellness Care today.