Skip to main content
Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Speciality Types and Methods

By August 12, 2022December 5th, 2022No Comments

Table of Contents

Physiotherapy (PT) is a healthcare profession that includes massages, heat therapy, exercises, electrotherapy, patient education, and guidance for treating an injury, illness or deformity.

Physiotherapy Specialty Types

Physiotherapy has grown into several specialities which allow PTs to treat various problems more effectively and appropriately. Below is a list of specialties and their applications:

  • Neurological Physiotherapy – Neurological diseases result from extreme muscular weakness, loss of balance and coordination, muscle spasms, tremors, loss of function and diminished feeling. Neurological physiotherapy attempts to restore mobility and cure functional diseases originating from the neurological and neuromuscular system including stroke, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain traumas, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, aneurysms and Parkinson’s disease.
  • Orthopedic/Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – This specialty focuses on correcting abnormalities and treating diseases of the human musculoskeletal system including the muscles, ligaments, bones, joints and tendons. The primary objective is to reduce pain, improve mobility and repair skeletal damage.
  • Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy – This specialty addresses patients with cardiopulmonary conditions such as cardiac arrest and chronic obstructive lung disease. Physiotherapists manage cardiac rehabilitation clinics and teach patients about certain types of workouts and resistance training strategies which may enhance their quality of life as a whole.
  • Pediatric Physiotherapy – Pediatric physiotherapists help children with treating acute injuries, birth deformities, delayed physical development, and hereditary disorders such as cerebral palsy (a condition which restricts overall movement and coordination). Physiotherapists utilize a variety of therapeutic exercises to strengthen damaged body parts, ultimately enhancing the affected body parts’ precision and general mobility.
  • Geriatric Physiotherapy – This specialty focuses on age-related medical disorders such as arthritis (joint pain) and osteoporosis (fragile and brittle bones). Physiotherapists specializing in geriatrics advise the elderly in order to prevent specific activities that might exacerbate pain.

Physiotherapy Treatment Modalities

Fraserlife - Physiotherapy Types and Treatment Used

  • Manual therapy – Physiotherapists utilize manual treatment to move and mobilize injured joints by massaging them with their hands.
  • TENS therapy – A tiny battery-powered device is used to transmit a low-grade current through electrodes implanted on the skin’s surface. A TENS device provides temporary pain relief to the afflicted region.
  • Magnetic therapy – Different kinds and sizes of electromagnets are available for self-application under the supervision of a skilled specialist. These help reduce the discomfort.
  • Dry needling and acupuncture – The insertion of fine needles into certain body sites temporarily relieves pain.
  • Taping – This method helps the natural healing process of the body. A tape is applied, raising the skin away from the connective tissue, increasing the space and facilitating the lymphatic fluid’s movement.
  • Joint mobilization – A physiotherapist uses this kind of manual treatment to restore normal joint mobility by mobilizing them at varying speeds, depths and amplitudes.
  • Stretches and exercises – Physiotherapists teach various exercises and body stretching techniques which help restore joint movements.
  • Rehabilitation – Various strengthening, preventive, and corrective activities are utilized to treat illness.
  • Strengthening programs – Physiotherapists provide specific programs and educate patients on personal responsibility for health and physical fitness. These activities help patients with enhancing their general strength, coordination, balance and flexibility.
  • Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy is a water-based treatment for arthritis. Under the supervision of a physiotherapist, specialized exercises are done in water heated between 33-36 degrees Celsius. Stretching, cardio, and strengthening activities are included.
  • Hot and cold applications – Ice, cold packs, nitrogen spray, and treatments such as cryotherapy can alleviate acute illnesses in patients. Physiotherapists utilize hot packs, infrared heat, diathermy, and ultrasonic waves to treat chronic illnesses.
  • Diathermy – This method employs electrically generated heat or high-frequency electromagnetic currents to treat various ailments.
  • Mobilization of soft tissue – Soft tissue mobilization (or “therapeutic massage”) aids with muscle relaxation, pain relief and edema reduction.

 

Visit Fraser Life online for the best physiotherapy treatment available in Langley or call us at (778) 278-4755 today.

 

< Previous | Home | Next >