Physiotherapy is a booming field in the healthcare sector and researches are still being conducted to explore the benefits of physiotherapy in new arenas. Physiotherapy has proven to be transformative for so many patients by helping their rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy, exercises, and other rehabilitative techniques to treat their patients and bring them back to their optimum functioning potential. However, many people still are not aware of the fact that there is more than one type of physiotherapy and they expect one therapist to be an expert at all the conditions.
It is true though that every physiotherapist has a similar standard education but their choice of specialization makes them the expert of one particular field. One will surely get treatment from any physiotherapist for his/her ailment but as a patient, one would prefer a specialist.
There are many specializations in physiotherapy focusing on different systems of the human body. This article will introduce you to some of the types of physiotherapy, and if you are someone aspiring to be a physiotherapist you will get a peek into the possible areas of specialization.
Orthopedic Physiotherapy
It is concerned with the traumatic and non-traumatic conditions of the musculoskeletal system (muscle & bones) and associated structures- ligaments, tendon, fascia. Conditions like fractures, sprains, strains, bony deformity, or malalignment- especially in spine and limbs, degenerative joint diseases are taken care of under it.
Neurological Physiotherapy
This field aims at treating patients suffering from disorders of the nervous system and neuromuscular system. It involves several interventions and techniques for rehabilitating patients suffering from conditions like- spinal cord injury, brain trauma, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases, and many more.
Cardiopulmonary/ Cardiovascular/ Respiratory Physiotherapy
Cardio-pulmonary physiotherapy is helpful for patients suffering from diseases and injuries of the heart, lung, and chest. This field is gaining popularity especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has started. Recovered COVID patients require physiotherapy to maintain and improve lung functioning and capacity.
Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is necessary for patients having respiratory disorders, circulatory disorders, cardiac disorders, patients on prolonged bed rest, and post-operatively in ICU.
Sports Physiotherapy
Sports physiotherapy is not only concerned with rehabilitating the athletes after the trauma but it is also an integral part of the training phase of the athletes. This field caters to the needs of athletes, as they require high-level performance and have different functioning than ordinary people.
The field deals with preventing injuries in athletes, providing optimum training as per the sports, and rehabilitating from any traumatic or non-traumatic disorders.
Pediatric Physiotherapy
There is a specific field for the pediatric population as the anatomy and physiology of children are different from adults.
This field aims to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent various disorders that children and teens suffer from. Some of the conditions are- cerebral palsy, spina bifida, syringomyelia, birth defects, or developmental delays.
Geriatric Physiotherapy
As the name suggests- this field is dedicated to the Geriatric population. As we grow old, our body changes physiologically leading to several issues like- reduced metabolism, low bone mineral density, painful joints, etc.
A geriatric physiotherapist helps these people as they go through getting old, treating pre-existing conditions and chronic pains, preventing secondary complications, and enabling them to be as much independent as they can. Physiotherapy can help old people to improve their muscle strength and endurance, correct bad posture, and be in an overall fit state.
Physiotherapy in Obstetrics And Gynecology/Women’s Health
This field caters to women of all ages be it adolescents or elders for their various needs. Mostly it is centered around the female reproductive system and conditions affecting it.
The most prominent part of this field is to ease the process of childbirth and lactation for women. Physiotherapy in ante-natal and post-natal care is of utmost importance as the female body undergoes innumerable changes, both biomechanically and physically, during pregnancy.
Physiotherapy helps these women to maintain their health during pregnancy and bounce back to the pink of their health after childbirth. Some of the areas that physiotherapists work in are- pelvic floor strengthening, managing urinary incontinence, pain relief, uterine prolapse, etc.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Human maintains their balance through three systems:
- Visual system – the eyes
- Proprioceptive system – the special receptors present in the joints
- Vestibular system – the fluid present in the inner ear
If any one of the systems is compromised, it affects the balance. Now, the balance can be affected by a myriad of issues ranging from a simple ear infection or dietary deficiency, or old age to severe neurological disorders.
A person faces lots of issues in daily life if his or her balance is affected not to mention the increased risk of falls. Vestibular physiotherapists help such people to regain their body balance by working on the affected system. Therapy can help people suffering from dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness.
Once the balance is restored the overall physical functioning is also improved.
Public Health
Physiotherapists specializing in this area, work to restore a healthy lifestyle and reduce the burden of disease in the community. They aim to prevent diseases, promote a healthy lifestyle and treat the conditions.
A healthy lifestyle leads to a lesser risk of diseases and a better prognosis of any existing condition. Some of the common conditions increasing in the community are- obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions- this puts a load on the nation, and physiotherapy is a great measure to manage this.
Hand Rehab
As humans, hands are one of the most important parts of our body as we do the majority of our functions through them. Hand physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate hands after an injury or disorder.
The therapy may include- splinting, taping, scar and wound management, exercises, functional training, and sensory training. It is extremely useful for patients who have lost hand functions due to accidents, fractures, stroke, burns, or other traumatic or non-traumatic conditions.
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is a booming field in the healthcare sector and researches are still being conducted to explore the benefits of physiotherapy in new arenas. Physiotherapy has proven to be transformative for so many patients by helping their rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy, exercises, and other rehabilitative techniques to treat their patients and bring them back to their optimum functioning potential. However, many people still are not aware of the fact that there is more than one type of physiotherapy and they expect one therapist to be an expert at all the conditions.
It is true though that every physiotherapist has a similar standard education but their choice of specialization makes them the expert of one particular field. One will surely get treatment from any physiotherapist for his/her ailment but as a patient, one would prefer a specialist.
There are many specializations in physiotherapy focusing on different systems of the human body. This article will introduce you to some of the types of physiotherapy, and if you are someone aspiring to be a physiotherapist you will get a peek into the possible areas of specialization.
Orthopedic Physiotherapy
It is concerned with the traumatic and non-traumatic conditions of the musculoskeletal system (muscle & bones) and associated structures- ligaments, tendon, fascia. Conditions like fractures, sprains, strains, bony deformity, or malalignment- especially in spine and limbs, degenerative joint diseases are taken care of under it.
Neurological Physiotherapy
This field aims at treating patients suffering from disorders of the nervous system and neuromuscular system. It involves several interventions and techniques for rehabilitating patients suffering from conditions like- spinal cord injury, brain trauma, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases, and many more.
Cardiopulmonary/ Cardiovascular/ Respiratory Physiotherapy
Cardio-pulmonary physiotherapy is helpful for patients suffering from diseases and injuries of the heart, lung, and chest. This field is gaining popularity especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has started. Recovered COVID patients require physiotherapy to maintain and improve lung functioning and capacity.
Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is necessary for patients having respiratory disorders, circulatory disorders, cardiac disorders, patients on prolonged bed rest, and post-operatively in ICU.
Sports Physiotherapy
Sports physiotherapy is not only concerned with rehabilitating the athletes after the trauma but it is also an integral part of the training phase of the athletes. This field caters to the needs of athletes, as they require high-level performance and have different functioning than ordinary people.
The field deals with preventing injuries in athletes, providing optimum training as per the sports, and rehabilitating from any traumatic or non-traumatic disorders.
Pediatric Physiotherapy
There is a specific field for the pediatric population as the anatomy and physiology of children are different from adults.
This field aims to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent various disorders that children and teens suffer from. Some of the conditions are- cerebral palsy, spina bifida, syringomyelia, birth defects, or developmental delays.
Geriatric Physiotherapy
As the name suggests- this field is dedicated to the Geriatric population. As we grow old, our body changes physiologically leading to several issues like- reduced metabolism, low bone mineral density, painful joints, etc.
A geriatric physiotherapist helps these people as they go through getting old, treating pre-existing conditions and chronic pains, preventing secondary complications, and enabling them to be as much independent as they can. Physiotherapy can help old people to improve their muscle strength and endurance, correct bad posture, and be in an overall fit state.
Physiotherapy in Obstetrics And Gynecology/Women’s Health
This field caters to women of all ages be it adolescents or elders for their various needs. Mostly it is centered around the female reproductive system and conditions affecting it.
The most prominent part of this field is to ease the process of childbirth and lactation for women. Physiotherapy in ante-natal and post-natal care is of utmost importance as the female body undergoes innumerable changes, both biomechanically and physically, during pregnancy.
Physiotherapy helps these women to maintain their health during pregnancy and bounce back to the pink of their health after childbirth. Some of the areas that physiotherapists work in are- pelvic floor strengthening, managing urinary incontinence, pain relief, uterine prolapse, etc.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Human maintains their balance through three systems:
- Visual system – the eyes
- Proprioceptive system – the special receptors present in the joints
- Vestibular system – the fluid present in the inner ear
If any one of the systems is compromised, it affects the balance. Now, the balance can be affected by a myriad of issues ranging from a simple ear infection or dietary deficiency, or old age to severe neurological disorders.
A person faces lots of issues in daily life if his or her balance is affected not to mention the increased risk of falls. Vestibular physiotherapists help such people to regain their body balance by working on the affected system. Therapy can help people suffering from dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness.
Once the balance is restored the overall physical functioning is also improved.
Public Health
Physiotherapists specializing in this area, work to restore a healthy lifestyle and reduce the burden of disease in the community. They aim to prevent diseases, promote a healthy lifestyle and treat the conditions.
A healthy lifestyle leads to a lesser risk of diseases and a better prognosis of any existing condition. Some of the common conditions increasing in the community are- obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions- this puts a load on the nation, and physiotherapy is a great measure to manage this.
Hand Rehab
As humans, hands are one of the most important parts of our body as we do the majority of our functions through them. Hand physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate hands after an injury or disorder.
The therapy may include- splinting, taping, scar and wound management, exercises, functional training, and sensory training. It is extremely useful for patients who have lost hand functions due to accidents, fractures, stroke, burns, or other traumatic or non-traumatic conditions.
Further Reading:
