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Physical therapy: Difference between revisions
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Physical therapy is a health care specialty concerned with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people who have musculoskeletal disorders or injuries that inhibit physical movement. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to restore as much physical independence as possible to each individual patient. Physical therapy addresses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. It involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patient, physicians, families, and care givers where physical movement potential is assessed and goals are set to help the patient reach maximal functional movement. | Physical therapy is a health care specialty concerned with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people who have musculoskeletal disorders or injuries that inhibit physical movement. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to restore as much physical independence as possible to each individual patient. Physical therapy addresses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. It involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patient, physicians, families, and care givers where physical movement potential is assessed and goals are set to help the patient reach maximal functional movement. | ||
Physical therapy uses numerous methods such as exercise, mobilization, manipulation, ultrasound, heat, cold, and electrical stimulation. | Physical therapy uses numerous methods such as exercise, mobilization, manipulation, ultrasound, heat, cold, and electrical stimulation. When determining which modality to use, physical therapists evaluate the strength, balance, range of motion, co-ordination, endurance, and posture of each individual patient, then create a prognosis for the patient. Traction machines and massage are also regularily used to reduce pain and increase the physical ability of the patient. | ||
Physical therapists practice in many diverse settings such as inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, outpatient clinics, research centers, schools, hospitals, fitness centers, and sports training facilities, and many other environments.[http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/PTBasics.htm] | Physical therapists practice in many diverse settings such as inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, outpatient clinics, research centers, schools, hospitals, fitness centers, and sports training facilities, and many other environments.[http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/PTBasics.htm] | ||
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[[Image:476px-Polio physical therapy.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This pediatric physical therapist is assisting two polio-stricken children holding on to a rail while they exercise their lower limbs. ]] | [[Image:476px-Polio physical therapy.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This pediatric physical therapist is assisting two polio-stricken children holding on to a rail while they exercise their lower limbs. ]] | ||
There are many specialty areas in the field of physical therapy. The majority of the general public | There are many specialty areas in the field of physical therapy. The majority of the general public isn't aware of the top five fields of physical therapy. | ||
=== Orthopedic === | === Orthopedic === | ||
[[Orthopedic physical therapists]] diagnose and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system as well as rehabilitate patients after orthopedic surgery. This type of physical therapy is most often found in out-patient clinics. Orthopedic physical therapists are trained in treating [[joints]], acute sports injuries, arthritis, amputations right after surgery. A few of the modalities used in orthopedic physical therapy are joint mobilizations, strength training, hot/cold packs, and electrical stimulation.[http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm] | [[Orthopedic physical therapists]] diagnose and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system as well as rehabilitate patients after orthopedic surgery. This type of physical therapy is most often found in out-patient clinics. Orthopedic physical therapists are trained in treating [[joints]], acute sports injuries, arthritis, and amputations right after surgery. A few of the modalities used in orthopedic physical therapy are joint mobilizations, strength training, hot/cold packs, and electrical stimulation.[http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm] | ||
=== Geriatric === | === Geriatric === | ||
[[Geriatrics]] is a branch of medicine pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in the elder population. Geriatric physical therapy helps in treating elderly people with [[arthritis]], [[osteoporosis]], [[cancer]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, [[incontinence]] and more. [http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm] | [[Geriatrics]] is a branch of medicine pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in the elder population. Geriatric physical therapy helps in treating elderly people with [[arthritis]], [[osteoporosis]], [[cancer]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, [[incontinence]], and more. [http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm] | ||
=== Neurological === | === Neurological === | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
Most of what makes up modern physical therapy was used back in ancient times, acknowledged by researchers to date back as early as 3,000 BC. Various methods of physical therapy were used by the ancient Chinese, Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks. In Greece, Hippocrates stated that hydrotherapy and massage was practiced as early as 460 BC.[http://ezinearticles.com/?Since-When-Did-You-Care?-%E2%80%93-The-History-of-Physical-Therapy&id=345783] The | Most of what makes up modern physical therapy was used back in ancient times, acknowledged by researchers to date back as early as 3,000 BC. Various methods of physical therapy were used by the ancient Chinese, Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks. In Greece, Hippocrates stated that hydrotherapy and massage was practiced as early as 460 BC.[http://ezinearticles.com/?Since-When-Did-You-Care?-%E2%80%93-The-History-of-Physical-Therapy&id=345783] The practice of physical therapy used in modern times was first established in Britain in the late 19th century. Not long after, American orthopedic surgeons began training young female graduates from physical education colleges to work in doctors' offices and hospitals. In 1916, when an intense epidemic of poliomyelitis hit New York and New England, those women treated thousands of infected patients. | ||
[http://www.catalogs.com/info/b2b/the-history-of-physical-therapy.html] | [http://www.catalogs.com/info/b2b/the-history-of-physical-therapy.html] | ||
After the | After the start of World War I, the first official school of physical therapy was established in Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. After World War II, physical therapy was widely used to care for patients. Because there was so much success with physical therapy in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War, many medical care programs teaching physical therapy opened.[http://www.catalogs.com/info/b2b/the-history-of-physical-therapy.html] | ||
