Specialty Physical Therapy Services

Physical therapy encompasses a wide range of services involving all parts of the human body. From helping patients recover from injury and surgeries to aiding athletes in improving strength and conditioning physical therapists are actively involved in helping people achieve full range of motion and quick recovery. However, there are many conditions that need special services for reducing pain and improving range of motion including complex lymphedema treatment, balance and vestibular rehabilitation and custom orthotics. When you are seeking treatment for a rare or special condition, make sure the physical therapist you are seeing has the experience and clinic to effectively provide specialty physical therapy services.

It is estimated that 40% of people over the age of forty experience dizziness and loss of balance. This condition can be brief but frequent and may be related to vertigo and other balance disorders. Problems with balance are particularly dangerous for the elderly and it is the cause of many serious injuries and fatalities. A physical therapist trained in balance and vestibular rehabilitation will work with patients using a variety of techniques including positional maneuvers, oculomotor exercises and balance retraining to help patients manage the symptoms of dizziness and balance issues. In addition to seniors, people who have had a stroke, head injury or concussion are prone to spells of dizziness and vestibular rehabilitation can help reduce the disorienting feeling from dizziness.

Feet can present a wide range of debilitating and painful conditions including misalignment, loss of arch height, plantar fasciitis and flat feet. Some physical therapists will offer specialty services that include custom orthotics as part of the treatment. This service involves taking a plaster cast of both feet and having a lab fabricate custom orthotics that are worn inside shoes and sneakers to control motion and improve biomechanical alignment of the foot and lower extremity. This service won't be offered by every physical therapy clinic so contact the practice ahead of time to find out.

Some physical therapists stick to healing injuries and surgeries but you can find others who will also provide specialty therapy services for post physical therapy treatment. These wellness and fitness programs involve overall body conditioning and health and encourage patients to take the exercises learned during their treatment and transition each into regular exercise routines that can be done outside of the clinic. Activity programs can be designed around individual goals so each patient gets customized care that focuses on their well being.