Week 4 Open Post

This week, I was looking into the different specialty areas of physical therapy. I've never really thought about a specific specialty within the field, so this week I learned a lot about the different areas of physical therapy that are available. If you wanted to become a clinical specialist, you would have to go through the American Board of Physical Therapy.

I learned that there are areas of physical therapy in cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, sports, and women's health I took the time to look a little bit into each of these and this is what I found out about them!

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
This specialization deals with patients who just had any heart or lung surgery, or have been diagnosed with any disorders that involve the two. Physical therapists help the patients improve the function of their heart and lungs and help them get back to living on their own.

Electrophysioloy
Specialists in this area have patients that have experienced some type of trauma or patients that has a disorder. This type of physical therapy include the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity testings.

Geriatics
Geriastic specialists deal with any type of elderly person. The patients might have arthritis, osteoperosis, cancer, etc. In this area of specialty, the main goal of physical therapy is to help with the discomfort a patient might be feeling, and help to improve mobility.

Neurology
Neurgoloic physical therapy patients are anyone who had brain surgery, or has a neurological illness like cerebal pasly, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc. Through phsycial therapy, the patients learn to function independently or receive help with coordination, walking, and balance.

Orthopaedics
These physical therapists help anyone who has a chronic condition or someone who needs help after surgery. Some of the conditions are injuries, diseases, or other problems that are related to the musculoskeletal system.

Pediatrics
Pediatric physical thearpy includes any infants or young children. These kids might have disorders that would classify them as "special needs". Physical therapists help the child develop gross and fine motor skills, improve fitness, and build strength.

Sports
The patients in this area are athletes who need treatment of pain or injury. The main goal is to help prevent any injuries from occuring, and prepare the athlete for maxium physical exertion.

Women's health
Women who need this type of physical therapy are of childbearing age, going through menopause, or are in the early stages of menopause. In physical therapy, these women receive help with discomfort that is caused by chronic conditions.






CITATIONS

"Physical Therapist (PT) Careers Overview." APTA. American Physical Therapy Association, 2014. Web. 6 Feb 2014.

Travel Force Staffing. "Top 8 Physical Therapy Certifciations by Specialty." Travelforce. Offical Therapist Blog, 2014. Web. 6 Feb 2014.