Specialty Physical Therapy Practices

Many people do not realize that most physical therapists specialize.  In more general terms, physical therapists treat patients either inpatient or outpatient, which means essentially while they are in the hospital or out of the hospital.  Just within the company that I work for, HealthReach, there are several specialty therapy services including geriatrics, sports medicine, vestibular rehab, continence care, womens health, lymphedema therapy, pediatrics, orthopedics, chronic pain management, hand therapy, and industrial rehabilitation.  Here is a list from the American Physical Therapy Association of the sections and special-interest groups and what they are:

1. Acute Care: Physical therapy implemented in the hospital including ICU. Click here to read about this type of therapy.
2. Aquatic Physical Therapy: PT in the pool!  I have some experience with aquatics.  On my clinical at Touro Infirmary we used aquatics as part of a chronic pain program.
3. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section: Physical therapists that treat heart and lung disorders
4. Clinical Electro and Wound Management: Physical therapy to promote wound healing
5. Education: Physical therapists in the academic settings
6. Federal Physical Therapy: Group of therapists that work for the government with a shared vision of providing quality federal healthcare.
7. Geriatrics: PTs with a common interest in providing quality care for the aging population. There are special interest groups within the section including health and wellness, balance and falls, and bone health.  Click here for more info.
8. Hand Rehabilitation: Physical therapists that specializing in treating the hand/wrist.
9. Health Policy and Administration: PTs who have a common interest in laws and codes concerned with physical therapy.
10. Home Health Section: Physical therapists that provide treatments in the home, instead of clinics or hospitals.
11. Neurology Section: Physical therapists that treat conditions of the nervous system (brain, nerves, spinal cord).  There are 6 special interest groups including vestibular rehabilitation, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, balance and falls, and degenerative diseases.  Read about it here.
12. Oncology Section: Physical therapists specializing in the treatment of patients who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, and lymphedema.
13. Orthopaedic Section: Physical therapists treating musculoskeletal disorders.  Special interest groups are occupational health, performing arts, foot and ankle, pain management, and animal rehabilitation.
14. Pediatrics Section: PTs who treat the youngest clients! Click here for info.  There are special interest groups including developmental disabilities, school-based, early intervention, hospital-based, pediatric sports, and neonatology.
15. Private Practice Section: Physical therapists that own their own practices.
16. Research Section: Physical therapists that do research.
17. Sports Physical Therapy Section: Special interest groups include: physically challenged athletes, college/university/professional sports, emergency response, female athlete, golf and golf performance, hip, knee, shoulder, sports pediatrics, running
18. Women’s Health Section: PTs focused on treating conditions commonly seen in women.  Pregnancy-related back pain, incontinence, pelvic pain… to name a few.  Click here to read more about what these physical therapists do.