The 10 Best Types of Physiotherapy

We often think of physiotherapists as one group that covers all aspects of their profession. However, this is not strictly true, and the same is true for many other healthcare professionals, e.g. doctors, nurses, occupational therapists.

The one we all know. Treating things like neck pain, lower back pain, ankle sprains, shoulder 'impingement' and post-orthopedic surgery

Can be linked to musculoskeletal physiotherapy but with a more athletic focus. These physios specialize in sports injuries and return to play after an injury. They treat things like ACL tears, dislocated shoulders, hamstring tears.

Crossed with both the musculoskeletal system and sport, but focused more on the hospital environment. Treatment of post-operative patients after trauma or elective surgeries such as total knee replacements.

Specialized physiotherapists working in GP clinics and in the emergency department. They cover a wide range of conditions and specialize in ordering imaging, blood tests and, in some cases, performing injections.

This specialized area of physiotherapy includes everything related to gynecology, urology and obstetrics! Back pain during pregnancy, incontinence, prolapse.

specialist physiotherapists work with everything below the elbow. This can include broken bones, burns, deep cuts and tendon injuries.

Another huge field of physiotherapy. You will find physical therapists working with patients after stroke, brain damage or neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.

Work in hospital and outpatient settings. They treat people with upper and lower limb amputees. Their rehabilitation focuses on getting people back to a normal, functional way of life with specific adaptations and equipment to help people. Respiratory Physiotherapy – working in the wards and intensive care unit treating patients with COPD, asthma, lung infections and various other conditions affecting the respiratory system.

Working both inpatient and outpatient for people with heart problems. Work to restore or improve heart function, including post-operative.

Covering babies from a few minutes to 18 years old. This specialty covers most of this list but in children. It is a huge area of physiotherapy with practitioners more specialized in pediatric or respiratory neuro physiotherapy. They may specialize in the treatment of scoliosis, complex neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, global developmental delay.