Types of Physical Therapy
Most of my patients don’t really know that much about physical therapy before they come and see me. Typically they have a problem (i.e. back pain) and somehow or other decide that physical therapy would be a good choice to address it.
Sometimes their doctor tells them to go and see a Physical Therapist. Or a friend of co-worker suggests it.
Then they go online and search for physical therapy near Arvada… or somewhere close by. Once they find a clinic close to home they call and find out if the physical therapist takes their insurance.
And that’s it.
But there’s another question you should ask before choosing YOUR physical therapist…
Ask them what they specialize in.
This matters because certain conditions and situations are better served by a specialist.
Think of it this way… If you have a heart problem and decide you are going to see a doctor (which would be wise!) would you just search for a “doctor near Arvada”?
If you did this you’d probably get results that included all types of doctors… Including general practitioners, family medicine doctors, cardiologists and even podiatrists.
The fact is that a podiatrist would simply NOT be able to help as much as a cardiologist would for a heart problem.
Physical Therapy is a lot like that. If you search for “physical therapy near Arvada” you’ll get a list of local physical therapists… But if you are 30 years old and have a shoulder problem you probably don’t want to go and see a physical therapist that specializes in geriatrics or wound care.
So to help you understand the different types of physical therapy specialties I put together a short list. Have a look through the types of physical therapy and decide which fits your condition and preferences.
Orthopedic: If you have muscle or joint pain you would probably benefit from seeing an orthopedic physical therapy specialist. care for post-surgical patients, arthritis, tendinitis/tendinosus, fracture rehabilitation, muscle sprains and strains, neck and back pain, hip and knee problems, shoulder, elbow, and wrist conditions.
Manual Therapy
Sports Rehabilitation: If you are a competitive athlete then you might want to make sure your Physical Therapist is an expert in your sport and is skilled at sports rehabilitation. In particular this type of physical therapy is excellent for retraining athletes who participate in events that involve running, throwing, and jumping. The physical therapist can also work with you in a sport-specific rehab and exercise program.
Industrial Rehabilitation
Hand Therapy
Balance and Vertigo Rehabilitation
Fitness and Wellness
Neurological
Pediatric
Aquatic Therapy: If you suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, have had lumbar fusion surgery or if you have weight-bearing restrictions you may benefit from aquatic therapy. This type of physical therapy takes advantage of the natural qualities of water such as buoyancy (where you weight less when in the water) and it’s thermal properties (where the water can be heated) to create an environment where exercise is both possible and comfortable. Generally aquatic therapy is done in small groups.
Geriatric: As you age you may notice physical changes such as decreased flexibility, loss of strength, poor balance, decreased bone density, decreased endurance and you may need more time to recover from injuries. Some physical therapists specialize in working with people 65 years and older and learn specific skills to treat and manage these common problems. These physical therapists are experts in balance improvement and fall prevention and have specialized equipment and use specialized techniques to help those who are at increased risk for falling.
Wound Care: If you had a severe burn or a wound that isn’t healing properly you may benefit from seeing a wound care specialist. This type of physical therapist is an expert at removing (aka debriding), cleaning, dressing and using modalities (such as ultrasound, infrared, electrical stimulation, etc) to promote healing.
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation: If you have had a heart attacks or a cardiovascular surgery (such as a bypass or angioplasty) or have a heart and lung related problem (such as COPD or emphysema) you should make sure your physical therapist specializes in cardiopulmonary rehab. These conditions require a deep understanding by the therapist in order to ensure a proper treatment plan. And often these physical therapists will work in facilities that have specialized equipment to monitor your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems during treatment to ensure you aren’t working too hard (which could cause additional complications) or too easy (which would limit progress).