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Navigate the world of physical therapy with Meri Sehat's comprehensive guide. Learn about its benefits and applications.

Your Guide To Physical Therapy

Introduction

Hippocrates is the first physician known to practice physical therapy through manual therapy, massage, and hydrotherapy as a form of treatment. Over time, it grew in popularity as more people around the world started to practice it, with physical therapists expanding their practice outside hospitals to include public schools, colleges and universities, and rehabilitation centers as well. 
&nbsp;

Physical therapy is a form of rehabilitation that focuses on identifying and treating mobility disorders, chronic and acute illnesses, and injuries. It is frequently regarded as a conservative method of treating numerous musculoskeletal issues.

Hospitals, rehabilitation institutions, assisted living communities, nursing homes, schools, and sports and fitness facilities&nbsp;are just a few of the places where physical therapy might take place. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the Benefits of Physical Therapy

A physical therapist may also be referred to as a physiotherapist or a PT. These licensed healthcare practitioners complete specialized graduation in&nbsp;physical therapy training. 
&nbsp;

According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, physical therapists undergo training that permits them to<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Perform A&nbsp;Physical Exam to assess a person&rsquo;s flexibility, movement, joint and muscle motion, and performance.</li>
	<li>Create A&nbsp;Treatment Plan by setting long-term and short-term goals after diagnosing the person&rsquo;s condition</li>
	<li>Perform Physical Therapy treatment and intervention</li>
	<li>Teach Self-Management and exercises that a person can do themselves at home</li>
</ul>

 
Note: Your health history will also be acquired. If there is a major injury or disease, a PT will collaborate with other doctors to plan your treatment accordingly. 
&nbsp;

There are many types of physical therapies that a physical therapist can specialize in: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Neurological Physical Therapy -&nbsp;People who suffer from neurological disorders, including Alzheimer&#39;s disease, brain damage,&nbsp;multiple sclerosis,<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/cerebral-palsy"> cerebral palsy</a>, Parkinson&#39;s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke, benefit from this type of therapy. The objective of the treatment is to improve patterns of movement, increase the responsiveness of the limbs, and enhance strength and balance.</li>
	<li>Orthopedic Physical Therapy - This tackles musculoskeletal injury. Injuries, like sprains, bursitis, tendinitis and fractures, chronic illnesses, and post-orthopedic surgery healing are all treated by orthopedic physical therapy. Some therapeutic methods that are available to patients are manual therapy, joint mobilization, mobility training, and strength training.</li>
	<li>Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation - It benefits individuals who have had cardiopulmonary diseases or surgery. It improves cardiovascular and muscular endurance along with stamina.</li>
	<li>Geriatric Physical Therapy - This helps older individuals who have arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer&#39;s, are undergoing hip and joint replacement, or experiencing balance issues and incontinence, conditions that impair their physical function and movement. Treatment restores mobility, improves physical fitness, and reduces discomfort. &nbsp;</li>
	<li>Wound Care Therapy - The components of this therapy include but are not limited to, e-stim, wound care, compression therapy, and manual treatments. The aim is to improve circulation. &nbsp;</li>
	<li>Vestibular Therapy - This treats balance issues. The therapy focuses on coordination and stability.</li>
	<li>Decongestive Therapy - It helps drain accumulated fluid, usually noted in the case of lymphedema.</li>
	<li>Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation - This can help with the treatment of pelvic floor disorders, such as&nbsp;urine or fecal incontinence, urinary urgency, and pelvic discomfort brought on by accidents, surgeries, or other ailments<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

It refers to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents. The conditions needing PT include:

<ul>
	<li>Cerebral palsy</li>
	<li>Developmental delays</li>
	<li>Spina bifida</li>
	<li>Torticollis 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The doctor works closely with the child&rsquo;s family and other caretakers to ensure independent and active function at home, at school, and at other social set-ups<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Recovery From A&nbsp;Sports Injury&nbsp;- The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease reports that fitting for a brace, cast, or splint, as well as physical rehabilitation therapy, is necessary to treat a more serious sports injury.&nbsp; 
	A physical therapist creates a strategy to regain strength and range of motion in the affected area. It usually involves focused exercises, massage therapy, aquatic therapy, ultrasound, or cold and heat therapy. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Alleviate Pain&nbsp;- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended physical therapy as a successful alternative to opioids for pain management. Exercises for therapeutic purposes, stretching, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, taping, cold and heat treatment, and massage are a few physical therapy methods that are used to alleviate both acute and chronic pain. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Support Neurological Conditions&nbsp;- According to a 2017 analysis, 4 weeks of gait training or 8 weeks of balance training can have favorable benefits that last anywhere between 3 and 12 months after physical therapy sessions have concluded. In addition, a physical therapist can help multiple sclerosis patients manage their symptoms. 
	The National Multiple Sclerosis Society states that balance, weakness, coordination, spasticity, and flexibility, as well as aerobic endurance, weariness, and respiratory function, are frequent symptoms that physical therapy can help with. 
	According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, in-hospital physical therapy programs can help with stroke rehabilitation and spine injury treatment before a person leaves the hospital. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Manage Symptoms Of Arthritis&nbsp;- Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis produce severe symptoms such as joint inflammation, pain, soreness, edema, and stiffness. Physical treatment, on the other hand, lessens the intensity of symptoms and improves the general quality of life. 
	According to the Arthritis Foundation, physical therapy helps maintain fitness levels, develop general strength to support joints, improve mobility, and regain the use of injured joints. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Reduce Pelvic Floor Complications - Pregnancy and childbirth affect the pelvic floor muscles. The tension of the pelvic floor muscles also shifts due to menopause, abdominal operations, and other disorders. A significant pelvic floor injury can weaken pelvic floor muscles, leading to prolapse, pelvic pressure, sexual dysfunction, urine incontinence, and lower&nbsp;back discomfort. A pelvic floor disorder can cause problems in daily living. 
	The good news is that researchers found that pelvic floor physical therapy is an effective first-line therapy for the majority of pelvic floor problems. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Improve Post-Surgery Recovery&nbsp;- The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests physical therapy to aid in a complete recovery following surgery, to regain strength, and to enable a gradual return to daily activities. Furthermore, several studies have shown that early mobilization and physical therapy for very sick hospitalized patients improve quality of life, increase the probability that they would be able to walk longer, and improve muscular function after discharge<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pain Management&nbsp;- According to significant research, early physical therapy treatments reduced both short- and long-term opioid use in persons with newly developed chronic low back pain<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The initial assessment session with PT is about evaluating the patient&rsquo;s requirements. The PT asks about the kind of pain or any other symptoms that they&rsquo;re experiencing, when and where they&rsquo;re experiencing it, and whether it affects their sleep quality. Moreover, the patient&rsquo;s medical history will be taken into account before the PT makes any diagnosis.

The therapist will test and measure their ability to bend, reach, grasp, and move around. At that time, the patient&rsquo;s heartbeat, rhythm during activity, balance and posture, and how well they climb steps or walk will all be assessed.

The treatment strategy usually involves exercises or other therapies to help the individual achieve their specific goals. For instance, it can include:

<ul>
	<li>Stretches or exercises</li>
	<li>Heat, massage, cold therapy, ultrasound, or warm water therapy</li>
	<li>Rehab to use an artificial limb</li>
	<li>Practice with certain gadgets, like a walker or cane, to balance or move around 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Other treatments apart from just physical manipulation may include<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Electric Stimulation (E-Stim) - The e-stim comes in two varieties. While transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is preferred to alleviate pain, neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves muscular activation by stimulating the muscle motor units.</li>
	<li>Lontophoresis - Some drugs, such as topical steroids, are delivered using an electrical current to reduce inflammation.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Heat, Moist Heat, And Cold Therapy&nbsp;- These could be helpful for a variety of ailments.</li>
	<li>Light Therapy&nbsp;- This entails the use of specialized lights and lasers to treat certain medical disorders. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Patient education is also a part of the process. The therapist addresses any questions the patient or their loved one might have regarding the length of the course of therapy, the frequency of visits each week or month, and what to anticipate both during and after the course of treatment are included.

As the sessions progress, the therapist will modify the treatment according to the current need of the patient. With time, they will also teach the patient exercises that can be conducted at home for faster healing.

Note: Remember, everyone is unique. It can take you longer or less time to accomplish those goals as compared to other physical therapy patients. You could be attending fewer or more sessions, depending on your needs. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Physical therapy provides several advantages, including enhancing physical function and mobility, preventing future injuries, and easing pain or other side effects associated with an acute or chronic injury or ailment. 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Physical therapy is a form of rehabilitation that focuses on identifying and treating mobility disorders, chronic and acute illnesses, and injuries. It is frequently regarded as a conservative method of treating numerous musculoskeletal issues.</li>
	<li>Hospitals, rehabilitation institutions, assisted living communities, nursing homes, schools, and sports and fitness facilities&nbsp;are just a few of the places where physical therapy might take place</li>
	<li>As the sessions progress, the therapist will modify the treatment according to the current need of the patient. With time, they will also teach the patient exercises that can be conducted at home for faster healing. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>