Once in a blue moon, we are reminded of our mortality when our body demands oiling and maintenance in response to being left unnoticed. Human bodies are often compared to machines with every part designated with a specific task. However, unlike machines our senses enable us to feel pain when system malfunction occurs. 

Who needs Physical Therapy?

Discomfort and pain are major indications that tell us when to visit the nearest doctors. But before things get out of control and put you on the surgeon’s table, how does one know when to reach out for physical therapy? The answer is simple – If it hampers your functionality and independence even if it doesn’t hurt, you need to get it checked.

Physical therapy is used in the rehabilitation of the elderly and temporary paralysis or dysfunction caused by a physical or medical accident. The cornerstone of physical therapy is persistence and patience. It is crucial to increase physical activity gradually and focus on the short-term goals rather than jumping back with full force and worsening one’s condition.

There are various types of physical therapy that target the muscles that need training and strengthening. Like our arms and legs, our brain, heart, and other internal body parts need exercising as well. Physical therapy aims to improve our overall health by focusing on the weaker areas be it neurological or cardiac.

There are two kinds of physical therapy – active and passive. Passive physical therapy is done to the patient without their participation such as ice packs, ultrasounds, massage therapy, and others. Active physical therapy is carried out with the patient’s involvement through stretching and various physical exercises. Passive physical therapy caters to the reduction of swelling and pain whereas active physical therapy strengthens muscles and is used in restoring functionality.

Types of Physical Therapy

  1. Pediatric Physical Therapy

Remember the constant back pain caused due to a droopy shoulder and hunched back as a kid? Pediatric physical therapy is designed specifically to relieve children from such agony. Our health in our growing years sets the foundation for the rest of our lives. Pediatric physical therapy improves muscle strength in children enabling a healthy balance between bone growth and the requisite muscle development.

  1. Geriatric Physical Therapy

On the other end of pediatric physical therapy resides geriatric physical therapy that is designed to serve the elderly. Old age nicks muscle strength and we are left with flailing lumps hanging from our bodies. Geriatric physical therapy reduces dependency by improving muscle power in the elderly. It relieves them of chronic aches and enables them to become self-reliant reducing the chances of future injuries.

  1. Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Sticks and stones may break your bones but orthopedic physical therapy has got you covered. Muscle atrophy is a challenge commonly faced after an accident causing bone damage. While bones heal, muscle power takes a hit. It is critical to help restore strength after prolonged immobility, orthopedic physical therapy is optimum in regaining former muscle stability.

  1. Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vertigo is single-handedly responsible for medical complications caused due to falls and tumbles in patients suffering from problems in the inner ear. Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis are some of the many chronic diseases where patients suffer from dizziness. In order to prevent future injuries, vestibular rehabilitation is carried out.

  1. Neurological Physical Therapy

One’s quality of life trumps longevity any day. In patients dealing with neurological injuries or spine-related complications, physical therapy can be a blessing in disguise. Diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis cause temporary paralysis that can be treated with the help of neurological physical therapy.

  1. Cardiovascular Physical Therapy

Cardiovascular physical therapy or pulmonary therapy is a rare type of physical therapy that helps patients with heart or circulatory problems. Physical therapy ensures muscle strengthening of key areas reducing patients’ dependency making them self-reliant.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy opens doors for you when you struggle to open one, literally. It enables patients of all ages to become independent through the confidence instilled due to improved muscle strength. After all, we all strive for a life that is pain-free, especially when we suffer from chronic diseases. Choosing the right kind of physical therapy improves one’s quality of life tremendously. It helps reduce the chances of falls and injuries responsible for worsening one’s medical condition. Physical therapy relieves one from discomfort and prepares you for future challenges such as how to prevent an injury using the techniques taught by a physiotherapist.

Things to be mindful about when choosing Physical Therapy

One needs to carefully select the right kind of physical therapy by first discussing it with their doctors. Using the correct technique is crucial in the success of any type of physical therapy. Improper technique can not only worsen the condition but may result in further complications or permanent damage. It is important to keep in mind that pain might worsen in the beginning and must be discussed with the physiotherapist. Chronic pain can be a symptom of an undetected medical condition that might flare up if physical therapy is chosen without a doctor’s consultation. As magical as the effects might sound, physical therapy is strenuous and difficult to continue. Thorough research and examination should be carried out before proceeding with physical therapy.