Inside the world of physical therapy are certain subspecialities of the practice devoted to some common issues and conditions that many patients face. Many physical therapists specialize in one or more of these subspecialities, but it’s rare for one PT to have a deep understanding of all seven subspecialities simply because each area presents its own unique challenges.
Collectively, the team at OrthoRehab Specialists can treat any of the seven subspecialities of physical therapy that we’ll talk about below. If you have any questions about a specific subspeciality or want to connect with a physical therapist that is well-versed in a specific area, give our team a call.
Seven Physical Therapy Subspecialties
There is some debate as to whether there are five, six or seven subspecialities when it comes to physical therapy, but we are going to touch on seven that we believe deserve their own distinction:
- Cardiopulmonary – Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy has an emphasis on helping patients who have suffered from conditions like a heart attack or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Slowly working to build a person’s heart or lungs can improve their physical endurance and help them remain active and independent.
- Geriatric – Geriatric physical therapy focuses on tackling some of the physical challenges that older adults face on a regular basis. Improving joint strength and working to reduce a person’s fall risk are common points of emphasis when working with a geriatric population, but again the goal is typically to help a person remain capable and as independent as possible.
- Neurological – Neurological physical therapy helps to address health conditions that affect a person’s brain and neural network. Patients dealing with the aftermath of a stroke or Alzheimer’s diagnosis would be a perfect candidate for neurological PT. Patient needs are highly individualized after a neurological issue, but many therapists work to help patients adapt to new visual or functional impairments as a result of their condition.
- Orthopedic – When you think of physical therapy, you probably picture orthopedic physical therapy. This is the type of PT that focuses on helping patients restore function to their musculoskeletal system following an injury or surgery. Improving strength, stability, flexibility and overall function is the ultimate goal of orthopedic physical therapy.
- Pediatric – Pediatric physical therapy helps our youngest clients adapt to some of the new challenges they are facing. Whether they are dealing with a birth defect, a development issue, a genetic disorder or any other type of issue during their early years, we’ll work they the child and the parent to manage these conditions and help each child become the most physically capable and independent person they can be.
- Vestibular – Vestibular physical therapy helps to address a range of issues that could be contributing to balance problems. Vertigo and dizziness may be caused by an inner ear issue that can be addressed by a physical therapist using manual therapy techniques or similar treatments.
- Women’s Health – Women face unique challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth, and we’re here to help you overcome some of these physical issues. Whether that involves helping you safely stay active and prepare for labor, or managing the physical changes you’ve experienced after delivery, we can help improve your pelvic floor strength or confront problems like urinary incontinence.
If you’d like more information about any of the seven physical therapy subspecialities listed above, or to talk to our team about any of the above areas in greater depth, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today at (612) 339-2041.