Physical therapy is a broad category that can niche down into subspecialties for specific patient care. Overall, therapy is an integral aspect of healthcare being responsible for evaluating patient function and movement following disease or injury. Through the careful development of a treatment plan with the incorporation of therapeutic exercises as part of the rehabilitation process, therapists can aid in pain management and restore function to the patient’s level of capability.
A therapist has the option of specializing their skills to a set concentration if that is their choice or keeping their clinic all inclusive as with Liberty Physical Therapy. A concentration gives patients an option to seek care that is in alignment with their specific needs. For each subspecialty, there is a unique purpose and a diverse plan of care directed for that group.
Subspecialties That Exist For Physical Therapy
In the field of physical therapy, the focus of care can narrow down into various subspecialties for which many therapists opt. The concentration gives the patient an opportunity to receive care that is specifically designated for their unique situation, whether it be age, disease, or another type of specification. Here are some various categories existing within concentrated care.
·As baby boomers begin to age, there is a growing need for geriatrics for age-related ailments. Aged patients receive treatment for pain relief from arthritic conditions, general joint soreness/stiffness, and osteoporosis, intending to keep the patient as active and physically healthy as is possible. Some therapists may see progressive diseases, including Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, which impact activities of daily living. In these cases, the clinic provides assistance to build strength in muscles, teach fall prevention, and improve balance. The family receives education on assisting and caring for their loved one.
- Women face specific health issues, and there are therapy associates who specialize in these, along with treating during various stages throughout a woman’s life. Some problems include lymphedema, pelvic pain, osteoporosis, as well as pre and postnatal care. The specialists understand the female musculoskeletal function and how women are differently affected than men with common conditions. The goal is promoting and maintaining optimal health throughout the female lifespan. For the many benefits you can gain from PT, go here.
·Athletes sustaining injuries are very familiar with the sports specialty in physical therapy with this arm focused on those injuries received while engaging in athletic activity. The goal is to alleviate and heal conditions inclusive of concussions, ACL tears, hip flexor strains, tennis elbow, or shoulder injuries like dislocation or a tear of the rotator cuff. In treating techniques such as stretching, strengthening, manual therapy, heat or cold pack application, there is an effort to restore movement and function as a means to get the athlete back into the game.
·The most common and widespread of the specialties is orthopedic, which encompasses the muscles, bones, ligaments, joints, and tendons. Patients that fall into this category can have a range of issues, including broken bones, joint replacement, arthritis, a strain/sprain of a ligament or muscle. Ortho can overlap with sports, but an orthopedic therapy specialist will see any patient as opposed to strictly athletes.
·Cancer patients or those recovering suffer a wide variety of symptoms or conditions for physical therapy to assist with such as muscle weakness, pain, loss of endurance, joint stiffness, loss of bone density, difficulty with walking. With treatment, there is assistance in feeling more comfortable. The patient receives support to increase aerobic capacity, with memory improvement, weight loss, and muscle strengthening. They receive a treatment plan for work within the clinic and exercises that they can implement at home.
If you suffer from a serious illness or have a severe injury, a therapist is not going to take the place of a physician. But the specialist will work alongside the doctor and various other health professionals to guide the treatment along. Care will allow you to feel better, and you’ll be more likely to gain back full function of the areas treated than if you were not to take therapy. Read more facts here concerning this specialty: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160645
A goal for therapy is to ease the pain that you’re experiencing and assist you in achieving the level of functionality you were capable of before the misfortune. It is their mission for you to accomplish your activities of daily living independently. The idea is that you function, move, and live better to regain the quality of life you once enjoyed.
