Integumentary System
- Physical Therapy International Service
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Authors: Anna Norton, Ella Bonner, and Livi Kovach
The integumentary system consists of your skin, hair, nails, and glands. It is your body’s first line of defense serving as a physical barrier that provides protection from infection, sunlight, bacteria, and injury. The integumentary system also plays a role in regulating the body’s internal temperature. It works alongside many other body systems to achieve its functions. The integumentary system and its components can be affected by a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including eczema, alopecia, dandruff, psoriasis of the nails, hyperhidrosis, and many others. Physical therapy can be used to help treat integumentary disorders by managing wound healing, enhancing tissue repair, managing pain to prevent disability, and improving function after an injury or accident.
Physical therapy can be extremely beneficial for burn victims in many ways. Physical therapists will use exercises to get their patients’ bodies moving to reduce skin tightness and prevent joint contractions. They will also use stretching to prevent restriction of movement from scar tissue formation. Different techniques may be used to manage the scarring, such as massage, specialized skin care, or pressure garments. Physical therapists will also focus on getting their patients to return to normal everyday activities through practicing these movements. Strength and cardiovascular training will help rebuild the patient’s strength and stamina. The main goal of physical therapy for burn injuries is to get patients back to feeling and moving normally and prevent any further complications.
Psoriasis arthritis is a debilitating disease that causes joints in the patients to swell and be painful. To manage symptoms, often prescriptions are prescribed but they can only do so much. Movement like physical therapy is the best way to manage the pain for the long run. Oftentimes, physical therapy will help with increasing range of motion of the joints, learning strength training for the affected area, prevent loss of function in the joints, easing pain, and improving overall mobility. The type of physical therapy may include strength exercises with free weights, bands, or machines, low impact aerobic exercises (think walking and swimming,) cryotherapy, water therapy, and therapy with assistive devices.
With conditions affecting the integumentary system, there are various techniques that can be used other than the normal massage or manual therapy. Cryotherapy is one of them. Cryotherapy is when you use cold to treat inflammation or control nerve sensations that might be making pain worse. Cryotherapy can consist of ice packs, ice baths, or ice massaging. Thermotherapy is the combination of cryotherapy and heat to reduce swelling and pain in the joints. Hydrotherapy is water based therapy and is when the patient completes slow and controlled exercises in a warm pool. The warm water helps to relax the muscles to lower the impact on the affected joints. Low level light therapy (LLLT) is another form of treatment where the therapist uses lasers on the affected area which helps with restoration of function, pain, and inflammation. The final example of types of therapy used is electrical stimulation. This helps to support nutrient delivery to affected sites.
To become an integumentary physical therapist, it begins similarly to other specializations within the career by obtaining a doctorate in physical therapy, passing the NPTE, completing residency or clinical time with integumentary care, and then finally getting board certified with the APTA. Specializing in the field can be extremely fulfilling as a physical therapist and can be an important treatment for the patients.
Resources:
https://musculoskeletalkey.com/physical-therapy-for-integumentary-conditions/#:~:text=Various%20types%20of%20integumentary%20(skin,the%20skin%20and%20its%20appendages.
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