What Are the Different Types of Physical Therapy?

What Are the Different Types of Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy encompasses a wide range of services. The various types of physical therapy can address a myriad of issues from injuries to chronic pain. Physical therapy often serves as rehabilitation following surgery, a sports injury, a car accident, a heart attack or stroke, or a severe or prolonged illness. PT can improve range of motion, relieve pain, and restore strength. What are the different types of physical therapy? 

Types of Physical Therapy

Exercise

One of the most common and most beneficial types of physical therapy is exercise. But not just any kind of exercise will do. Physical therapists are trained to create a specific regimen of exercises that specifically address your injury or pain. Your physical therapist will show you how to do the exercises they recommend with proper form and help you through the right motions to ensure you are doing them correctly after learning the exercises at your first session, you can practice them at home each day between sessions.

When you meet with your physical therapist again, they will potentially adjust your exercise plan, either recommending additional repetitions or different exercises that are more advanced to help you progress. You will become gradually stronger and your range of motion will increase, allowing you to do more difficult exercises as you go.

Manual Therapy

In some cases, your physical therapist may manually move your body in order to stimulate the injured area. Manual therapy can stretch muscles, tendons, and ligaments in order to loosen them up for better range of motion. Movement of the afflicted area will also stimulate blood flow to the tissues that need to be healed.

Manual therapy is sometimes needed when you are unable to move the affected body part due to muscle weakness or intense pain. When successful, manual therapy can help you gradually gain the strength and ability to move your body yourself.

Suspension Therapy

One of the newest and most successful types of physical therapy is suspension therapy. Suspension therapy involves a series of slings or swing-type apparatus that are suspended from the ceiling. The slings support various body parts such as your legs, torso, neck, and head, allowing you and your physical therapist to focus on just one body part at a time. The slings take the pressure and weight off of the other body parts that are not the focus of the therapy, allowing you to relax those body parts.

Redcord is one specific type of suspension therapy. It has shown to accelerate recovery by 10 times, far surpassing the effectiveness and speed of other physical therapy types. It is especially effective for lower back physical therapy, one of the most common issues for patients.

Soft Tissue Mobilization (Massage Therapy)

Soft tissue mobilization, more commonly referred to as massage therapy, involves kneading or rubbing the soft tissues in an injured area. Massage can be an effective form of physical therapy, as it increases blood flow to the affected area, relaxes the muscles and tendons, and stimulates nerve fibers.

Soft tissue mobilization can also relieve stress, which could be a factor impeding recovery. When stress is relieved or minimized, you can focus positive energy on making improvements and following your physical therapists instructions.

Manhattan Physical Therapy Offers a Variety of Therapy Types

In most patients’ cases, a combination of physical therapy strategies will achieve the best results. Each patient is unique, and will require an individualized plan for recovery. Your PT regimen could include exercises, manual therapy, suspension therapy, and soft tissue mobilization at various times. 

Choose a physical therapist who can offer you different types of physical therapy, such as Manhattan Physical Therapy. We specialize in Redcord suspension therapy, helping our patients recovery 10 times faster than with other therapy types alone. 

Call (212) 213-3480 today to schedule a consultation or contact us to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you feel and move better with a personalized physical therapy plan.