Physical Therapy - Its Causes and Types

Physical Therapy - Its Causes and Types
Author: Peter Sams

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is the science of blending physiology with exercises and applying these principles to the body when an injury is sustained. Physical therapy for back and neck conditions focuses on the structures that support the spine and its joints including muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Types of physical therapy

Manual therapy - Manual therapy is a general term for treatment performed with the hands and not with any other devices or machines The goals of manual therapy include relaxation, less pain, and more flexibility.
Iontophoresis - Iontophoresis is a means of delivering steroids through the skin. The steroid is applied to the skin and then an electrical current is applied that causes it to migrate under the skin. The steroids then produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the general area that is causing pain. This modality is especially effective in relieving acute episodes of pain.

Occupational therapy Occupational therapy helps the patient regain the ability to do normal everyday tasks. This may be achieved by restoring old skills or teaching the patient new skills to adjust to disabilities through adaptive equipment, orthotics, and modification of the patient's home environment. Occupational therapy may be prescribed to rehabilitate a patient after amputation, arthritis, cancer, cardiac disease, head injuries, neurological injuries, orthopedic injuries, pulmonary disease, spinal cord disease, stroke, and other injuries/illnesses. The duration of the occupational therapy program varies depending on the injury/illness being treated and the patient's response to therapy.

Speech therapy - A speech therapist can also help your child strengthen her facial muscles if she has trouble eating or swallowing. This is especially important if your child is not getting enough nutrients at each meal. If she struggles to eat properly, she may become malnourished and fail to thrive.

Causes of physical therapy

Vestibular physical therapy has become a mainstay in the management of patients with balance disorders manifesting as dizziness and disequilibrium. Numerous concept papers,[1-20] case studies[21-29] case series with no controls,[30-44] and controlled studies[45-49] support the use of rehabilitation techniques for patients with peripheral vestibular disorders.

Orthopedic Disorders - Orthopedic injuries are injuries that involve trauma to a bone, such as a fracture, or trauma to soft tissue. People with these types of injuries often have limited mobility because of pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Westchase Physical Therapy focuses on helping patients regain their strength and mobility so they can get back to living life.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Pain, numbness or weakness that affects some part of the median nerve in the hand, thumb or ring finger. Pain may radiate into the arm. Causes for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include repetitive handwork and trauma.

When Is Physical Therapy Needed?

Physical therapy (PT) may be needed any time a child has difficulty moving in such a way that it limits daily activities.

Doctors may recommend PT for kids with:

* developmental delays
* cerebral palsy
* genetic disorders
* orthopedic disabilities
* heart and lung conditions
* birth defects (such as spina bifida)
* effects of in-utero drug or alcohol exposure
* acute trauma
* head injury
* limb deficiencies
* muscle diseases

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