Are you looking for a specific type of therapy? Know about different types of Physical Therapy that can be a transformative experience at any stage of your life.

“Because if there's anything you need to be a physical therapist, it's a sense of humor.” – American Therapist Adele Levine, Author of “Run, Don’t walk” book.

Physical therapy or physiotherapy is now a part of our daily lexicon just as a doctor, education or food. It is just as common as going to a doctor for a check-up or any other health care protocol one needs to follow for maintaining optimal care. It is defined as the care aimed at easing pain, function and move better. As awareness spreads, the demand for physical therapy is on the increase year by year. These trained and skilled professionals play an active role in the restoration of health, rehabilitation after surgery or injury and recovery from various ailments. With age, each one of us or someone we know will avail of the services of a physiotherapist for some condition or the other.

In fact within the domain of physiotherapy, there are many different types providing specialized and focussed care. Let us familiarize ourselves with the different types of physical therapy, for our own knowledge:

Paediatric Physical Therapy: This branch of physical therapy treats children (from birth to late teens) with issues pertaining to bone/muscle tissues, brain, spine or nerve disorders. The therapy is a mix of functional training, exercise, medication, and nutrition. The protocol for the treatment of children is quite different for the one applied to adults.

Geriatric Physical Therapy: These therapists deal with the needs of the elderly population who have their own unique health issues. They help in restoring mobility and function after surgeries, illnesses, and inactivity. Customized plans are drawn based on assessment and examination by the therapist. The goal of the therapy is to help the patients move and feel better, leading to a qualitative improvement in daily living.

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: This branch of therapy focuses on the treatment of injuries to the orthopaedic system such as muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries cause pain, decline in mobility, loss of strength and so on. With various tools of therapy, there is improved motion, mobility, and strength.

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Types of Physical Therapy: This is a specialized line of work where one deals with patients suffering from heart and lung-related ailments. The aim is to increase independence and endurance in those patients who have had heart attacks, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy: This specialized form of therapy is meant to alleviate the problems caused by Vestibular disorders (pertaining to the inner ear/balance). This exercise-based program is aimed to reduce issues like vertigo, dizziness, gaze instability, and falls.

Neurological Physical Therapy: As the term refers, this therapy is aimed at treating conditions associated with the nervous system in the body. The conditions include strokes, brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. Using various evidenced-based treatments and assistive technologies, the therapists enable the patients to engage in meaningful activities of daily living, which most of us take for granted.