If you are suffering from a serious injury, went through surgery, or had a stroke, your doctor might recommend a rehabilitation physical therapist so that you can recover. With rehabilitation therapy, you will experience a controlled medical environment that will help you recover from your condition. Moreover, you will be able to redevelop your strength, relearn the skills that you lost, or find a new way to perform various activities that might be difficult for you now.

Therapists and rehabilitation experts will help you recover from any physical changes that your injury caused, chronic disease, or medical conditions. There are various types of rehabilitation specialists, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists.

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1.     Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists will help you perform tasks that you need for every-day working and living. These therapists work with people who have mental, physical, or developmental disabilities. This includes patients who experienced a stroke and have lost functionality on one side of the body. Furthermore, patients who have lung or heart disease, breathing or activity limitations, suffer from diabetes, or amputees also need therapy. They help their clients to find a new way to work, eat, cook, or dress. They may visit their patients at their workplace or at their home so that they can find adaptive equipment or guide them to do things in new ways. Occupational therapists have a doctoral or master’s degree and earn licensing through their state.

You might be of any age to receive occupational therapy services. From newborns to seniors, all people require these therapists. Occupational therapists can help you in endless ways, such as:

• When you experience a painful brain injury and lose your cognitive function, you may require a therapist to assist you in tasks and activities such as applying for a job or submitting college applications.
• Children suffering from physical disabilities may require a therapist to help develop the coordination needed to eat, improve handwriting, and operate a computer.
• Adults suffering from depression can also visit a therapist so that they can re-engage in their daily tasks and maximize their chances to succeed in life.
• If a person loses the ability to grab a spoon because of an injury, they may consult a therapist to regain grip strength and adjust movements, ultimately being able to resume daily life tasks.

2.     Physical Therapists (PTs)

Physical therapists help you when you have a disability, medical condition, or injury that limits your ability to function or even move. Physical therapists will test your ability to move and your strength. Then, they will create a treatment plan. The main focus of treatment is to restore function, reduce pain, improve mobility, or prevent any further disability from occurring. Physical Therapists also treat patients who had a stroke, amputation, chronic disease, or injury. To become a physical therapist, a person should have 2-years of masters or 3-year doctoral degree. They also need a license from the state. Common therapies of a physical therapist include:

• Pain management
• Balance and gait retraining
• Cardiovascular strengthening
• Special stretches and exercises designed to improve mobility, relieve pain or regain strength.
• Rehab and exercises so that you can learn how to use an artificial limb
• Splinting, burn care, casting, or using orthotics (splints or braces)
• Practicing the gadgets assisting in balance or movement, such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, or walkers
• Heat or cold therapy, ultrasound, or massage to ease muscle spasms and pain

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3.     Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory Therapists care and treat people with breathing problems. They help patients with all ages, starting from premature babies to older aged-people with lung disease, emphysema, or asthma. Respiratory therapists need a license in most states. Along with a license, they also need an associate’s degree; however, many respiratory therapists also have a bachelor’s degree.

4.     Speech Therapists

These types of therapists are also known as speech-language pathologists. They help patients who are unable to speak, communicate, or swallow properly. Such problems are mostly the result of cancer, brain injury, or a stroke. Speech therapists construct a program based on each of their patients. If a patient could not speak, the therapist may guide them to communicate through sign language, communication devices, and any other methods. For people who are unable to swallow, they teach them to strengthen their muscles or a different way to swallow liquids and food without choking. Speech therapists require a master’s degree and a license from their state.

Rehabilitation Physical Therapist: Conclusion

If you are looking for rehabilitation therapists and require a rehabilitation program to recover from a condition or disability, call our clinic at (212) 777-4374. You can also visit our website for more information.

We have the best professional therapists who are available to help you with most common injuries and conditions, such as hip, neck or back pain, and any disability. They are ready to understand your problems and design a program to improve your health and daily life activities.