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About Physical Therapy What Is Physical Therapy? Is Physical Therapy Right for Me? How Do I Choose?

Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Physical Therapy Credentials

Types of Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy assists in the early detection of health problems among infants, children and adolescents. Treatments often seek to improve gross and fine motor skills, strength, cognitive functioning and balance.

Geriatric Physical Therapy
Geriatric physical therapy generally focuses on older adults, but also covers normal aging issues. Arthritis, balance disorders, osteoporosis, cancer, joint replacement, incontinence and Alzheimer's disease are just some of the problems dealt with in geriatric physical therapy. A geriatric physical therapist will devise a specialized program to help restore mobility and balance, increase fitness levels and reduce pain.

Orthopedics
Orthopedics focuses on disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedics can also help patients heal after bone and muscle surgeries. Joint mobilizations, strength training, hot or cold packs and electrical stimulation are the most common methods of orthopedic rehabilitation.

Neurological Physical Therapy
Neurological physical therapy is one treatment path for patients with a neurological disorder or disease—such as Alzheimer's, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries and Parkinson's. Therapists help patients to restore abilities or to learn how to function with the effects of the disease, like vision loss, poor balance, paralysis and more.

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
Cardiopulmonary physical therapy helps patients with heart or lung problems. Whether a patient is recovering from cardiac or pulmonary surgery or suffering from a cardiopulmonary disorder, CPT can help increase patient endurance and physical independence. Manual therapy is often used in this area to help clear lung secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis.