Photo by BASykes
For all you Special Needs Parents out there, let's take a quick look at defining Physical Therapy in terms of our kids. We'll be looking at other kinds of therapies later down the road as well.
WHAT
From WebMD:
Physical therapy provides services for people of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, when medical problems or other health-related conditions limit their ability to move and function in their daily lives. A physical therapist will examine you and develop a treatment plan to increase your ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
In layman's terms… It's a therapy for your kids to physically heal and cope. This concentrates on the physical aspects of healing the body, as opposed to Occupational Therapy, which is about functioning in every day life.
WHO
Physical therapists have many specialties within the field – everything from cardiopulmonary (heart/lungs) to orthopedic (bones/joints), and then specialized even further into pediatrics. Physical therapists usually have a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) and some have Masters degrees – however, those particular programs are dwindling, so you'll usually find the DPT's. Some only have a BSPT (Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy), but most programs are hiring DPT's and above. In addition to the education, their training includes internships, exams, and state licensing.
You can find a trained physical therapist through your doctor via referral, or your insurance company if you have one. You can find therapists who are members of the American Physical Therapist Association via their Directory. You can also find therapists in your state by googling "[your state] physical therapist directory." Many states have their own listing of licensed therapists. As always, you'll need to do your research on your therapist, and also cull through to find the ones who work with children.
WHERE
The therapies can be done in the home, clinics, doctor's offices, rehabilitation centers, schools, hospices, out in the field (such as with equine therapy), and more. That is determined by the needs of your child, his or her therapeutic plan, and the physical limitations of the therapist or the actual therapies.
WHY
Say your child has a stroke. He or she will potentially need help controlling their musculature to control their limbs, sit up, walk etc. Or say they have a condition that leads to atrophy – they'll need help to prevent that. Say they were injured in a fire or accident. They'll need help getting their range of motion back. Where doctors help with the internal medicine, or set the bones, or perform the surgeries, or prescribe the medications, physical therapy is what's going to work out the muscles and move the joints, or help your child balance again, or help get circulation moving again.
HOW
As with most therapies, there is a whole host of tools in the physical therapist's toolbox. They may manipulate joints by performing repetative excersizes. They may use muscle massage. They may use electrotherapy, ultrasound, hot packs, cold packs, etc. It will, of course, depend on your child's own situation.
The goal of physical therapy is to give your child more range physically, lessen pain, and improve their quality of life.
Found "unique" by all who know her, you can find Michele at her blog, Sparks and Butterflies, or at her business Vineyard Virtual Services.
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I think that is a great point you are making.
Physical Therapy does treat a lot of different conditions and ages. Most people think it is just all exercises, which are important but don't realize that there are different styles and approaches.
Just because you try it once doesn't mean you tried all that the physical therapy world can offer.
I hope that makes sense?
Well done, Michele.