Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation or physical therapy is a form of treatment that aims to restore function to those recovering from an injury or surgery, as well as those with a physical impairment or disability. Exercise and physical manipulation, without the use of drugs or surgery, is often employed. There are many types of rehabilitation, including:
- physical therapy: a general term describing exercises and active movements meant to treat or recover from an injury, impairment or disability.
- occupational therapy: exercises and movements that improve dexterity, coordination, mobility and strength in the upper body with a focus on performing everyday tasks independently (opening a jar, brushing your teeth).
- speech-language therapy: techniques and exercises to treat language, articulation, eating and motor difficulties and weaknesses.
- massage: kneading and working muscles to improve performance and decrease risk of injury by assisting range of motion, recovery and circulation.
- Pilates: an exercise system or method emphasizing breathing and movements to strengthen the core (spine and pelvis), while creating strong, lean muscles and improving flexbility and joint mobility.
- acupuncture: an ancient form of treatment where small needles are inserted into specific points of the body to offer pain relief and treat chronic and acute diseases. Learn more about acupuncture.
- alternative medicine: nontraditional treatments that can include exercises like pilates and yoga, along with supplements, healing energy, diet and meditation.
For more information, explore the articles, videos and other content below.
Articles on rehab treatments for injuries and conditions
- Physical Therapy for Concussion: How PT Can Help
- Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain: Goals and Wellness
- Helping Gymnasts Recover from Injuries
- Introduction to Active Release Technique
- Myofascial Release (MFR): An Overview
- The Schroth Method: A Specialized Treatment for Scoliosis
- Elbow Arthritis and Rehabilitation With Physical Therapy
- Wheelchair-Based Exercises for People with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Pain Science Education: Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain
Articles on physical therapy after surgery
Articles on pediatric rehabilitation
Articles on sports performance and injury prevention
Articles for rehabilitation professionals
- Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient Treated With 2-Stage Revision and a Spacer Exchange
- Transfemoral Osseointegration for a Patient with a Very Short Residual Femur After Amputation
- Oncologic Allograft Femur Nonunion Treated with the Internal Lengthening and Compression Nail
- Hypertrophic Tibial Nonunion Treated with AutoStrut External Fixation
- Relapsing Lupus Nephritis and Cutaneous Vasculitis: A Race to Contain B Cells
- Recurrent Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in a 76-Year-Old Woman with Previously Treated Hepatitis B Virus Infection
- The Opioid Epidemic: An Update on Opiate Misuse and Current Strategies for the Healthcare Team
- Hip Pain in the Young Child
- Shoulder Separation and Dislocation: An Overview
- Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Does ANA-Negative Lupus Exist?
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