Updated May 2nd, 2022
Wound Care / Virtual / Conclusion / Ask Hanna
Introduction
When we think of Physical Therapy patients, we often think of professional athletes, people who just had surgery, and even our aging grandparents. These do tend to be some of the larger demographics of patients we see on a daily basis, but Physical Therapy is SO much more than that. Physical Therapists can choose to specialize or find a niche within their practice, leading to more unique types of rehab. Here are 5 types of Physical Therapy you didn’t know existed:
1. Pelvic PT
Pelvic PT is often referred to as “Women’s Health PT”. Traditionally, this was prescribed for patients that were pregnant or postpartum, but has expanded significantly in recent years. In more recent years, Pelvic PT is given to people of all genders for things such as incontinence, a weak pelvic floor, chronic pain, and even for sexual impairments.
This type of therapy is usually specialized and performed by someone with further education on the reproductive, genitourinary, and pelvic structures in the body. Therapies can include muscle retraining, stretching, manual interventions, and even muscle feedback with technology!
2. PT for Babies
“Why would a newborn baby need Physical Therapy?!” and “What could you possibly see a baby for in PT?!” are two of the most asked questions when I tell people that I have worked with babies. Babies, just like grown adults, are all unique and different. Some kiddos are born with structural abnormalities in their joints or organs. Others acquire a developmental delay within the first few months of life. Some babies have a medical condition causing them to be in the hospital for an extended time. All of these things can warrant a visit with an Early Intervention (EI) PT.
Some things PTs see babies for include: the inability to hold their head up, birth trauma to the brain or a joint, malformed head and neck alignment, and even delayed crawling in an infant. Just because a baby receives physical therapy early on in life, does not mean they will always need PT! However, a lot of this type of intervention focuses on parental or guardian education, stretches for home, and modification of play for the child.
3. Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
The mobilization of a person in the ICU is a relatively new concept in medicine. When someone is critically ill and hospitalized, they may require more invasive monitoring and treatment, warranting a stay in the ICU. This type of therapy often involves: range of motion exercises, positioning, splinting, blood circulation activities, and even mobilization to a different posture. The latter is completed by either using a bed that changes your position, getting to a chair, or even walking. While there are some patients who are unconscious or on a ventilator in the ICU, therapy can still be performed. Early mobilization not only allows someone to get better sooner, but can even save lives. If you are interested in learning more about early mobilization, check out this article from the APTA HERE.
4. Wound Care
Physical therapists are specialists in the healing of body tissues, which goes hand in hand with regeneration of wounded tissue! When someone has a substantial burn, physical therapists often assist with range of motion activities and positioning while someone is receiving dressing changes in the hospital. Physical therapists can also help heal wounds with medications prescribed through other medical professionals, mechanical technologies, and dressing changes. There has been a rise in outpatient wound clinics staffed by physical therapists. PTs also effectively educate and assist patients on how to prevent wounds; through seating and splinting equipment, position changes, and encouraging mobility. While this is a growing field in PT, many other medical professionals also treat within this specialty, including nurses and doctors.
5. Virtual
Always on the go? Don’t have time to go to in person therapy 3 times a week? Do you live far away from a physical therapy office? Virtual PT is your new secret weapon! Run by a therapy professional, virtual PT gives you the education and treatment of a traditional PT session, but from the comfort of your own home, easily fitting into your schedule. While this type of therapy is not for everyone (you will need to know how to turn on a computer…), it is a great alternative for many young adults, those who travel often, and even kids in schools. These sessions often consist of education for self-given techniques, exercises, and testing purposes. It takes an open mind to try this type of therapy- but the benefits can be outstanding!
Conclusion
These types of therapy are not usually what people think of when it comes to PT, but all play an important role in the healthcare system for a community. I have had experience in most of these types of therapy. My biggest recommendation for clients is to find out treatment options for your ailments by doing research and asking your primary healthcare provider. There may be a type of therapy, physical or not, you may not know about!
What Hanna Thinks:
I am a huge fan of providing virtual care, and have made it my life’s work. Not only does this type of care that I provide work best for my family, but it allows my patients to get great access to care without worrying about transportation. This allows more virtual therapists to work with patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and give care to those who may not have the opportunity to receive in person care. I have personally performed wound care, ICU PT, and PT for babies, and feel they make a huge impact on the quality of life for patients, as well as improving their overall functional outcome. I have been really lucky to have explored beyond the usual patient care after a knee replacement and hockey player with a concussion. New specializations in PT are always being formed, and I can’t wait to see what the next 50 years of PT brings!
DISCLAIMER
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