by Mark Miranda
 

When we think of physical therapy, we usually concentrate on sports or accident-related injuries. In reality, there are several specialty areas in the field of physical therapy. At Kessler Memorial Hospital’s Out-Patient Physical Therapy, the therapists offer Orthopedic, Geriatric, Neurological and Pediatric Physical Therapy.
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
This type of PT is most commonly known to the general public. Usually taking place after surgery, customers visit on a daily or weekly basis. This type of therapy focuses on joints, ligaments, tendons and bones. Patients with sports injuries, involved in automobile accidents, as well as those who have just undergone orthopedic surgery will benefit from this type of physical therapy. Therapists use whirlpools, massage, hot and cold packs, electrical stimulation and flexibility exercises as modalities to expedite recovery.
Geriatric PT
Geriatric physical therapy covers a wide area of issues concerning people as they go through normal adult aging, but is usually focused on the older adult. There are many conditions that affect many people as they grow older and include but are not limited to: arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, incontinence and more. Geriatric physical therapy helps those affected by such problems through developing a specialized program to help restore mobility, reduce pain, increase fitness levels and more.
Pediatric PT
Pediatric PT focuses on children under the age of eighteen. Pediatric physical therapy assists in early detection of health problems and uses a wide variety of modalities to treat disorders in the pediatric population. Treatments focus on improving gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance as well as cognitive and sensory processing/integration. Children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and torticollis are a few of the patients treated by pediatric physical therapists.
Neurological PT
This type of physical therapy is particularly specialized and requires a great deal of training as well as knowledge of neurological diseases and disorders. Patients who have suffered strokes, brain injuries and damage to the spinal cord may be recommended to a neurological physical therapist, as are those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and MS. The focus will be on restoring function to the limbs as well as dealing with paralysis and vision problems. Often, this type of therapy will be ongoing on either an inpatient or outpatient basis
Kessler Memorial Hospital is now accepting patients with Horizon New Jersey Health and Medicaid. Veterans Insurance is also accepted if you have a referral from your Veterans Primary Care Physician. (Any questions, please call 561-6700 ext. 5385.)
If you are interested in visiting a physical therapist, please check with your family physician. Once you have received a referral from your physician, you can schedule your appointment with Kessler Memorial Hospital’s Physical Therapy Department by calling 561-6700 ext. 5104.