Electrical Stimulation
Electrical Stimulation involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body. This can help reduce pain, improve circulation, and promote healing. There are different types of electrical stimulation, each with its own unique benefits and uses.
One of the most common types of electrical stimulation used in physical therapy is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS works by sending low-level electrical impulses through the skin to the nerves beneath. These impulses can help block pain signals from reaching the brain, reducing the sensation of pain.
Electrical stimulation can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic pain, muscle weakness, spinal cord injury, and post-surgical recovery. During an electrical stimulation treatment, our Physical Therapist will attach electrodes to the skin over the affected area and use a machine to deliver electrical impulses. The treatment is typically painless and non-invasive, and patients may feel a tingling sensation or mild muscle contractions during the procedure.
Paraffin
Paraffin wax is a common treatment used in hand therapy to help alleviate pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the hands and wrists.
The heat from the paraffin wax increases blood flow to the hands and wrists, which can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Paraffin wax can help reduce pain and stiffness in the hands and wrists, making it beneficial for individuals with conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Regular use of paraffin wax can help improve range of motion in the hands and wrists, making it easier to perform daily activities. The warmth of the paraffin wax can be very relaxing, making it an enjoyable and stress-relieving therapy for many individuals.
Paraffin wax therapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not involve medication or surgery, making it a safe and effective option for many people.
Massage
Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissues in the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle pain and stiffness, soft tissue injuries, and circulatory problems.
Therapists may use different massage techniques depending on the needs of the patient, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, or myofascial release.
During a massage treatment, our Massage Therapist will use her hands or specialized tools to apply pressure and manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The treatment is typically performed on a massage table or chair, and patients may be asked to undress partially or fully, depending on the area being treated and their comfort level.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic Ultrasound is a type of physical therapy treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to promote healing and reduce pain in injured or damaged tissues. The sound waves generated by the ultrasound machine are beyond the range of human hearing and are applied to the skin through a handheld device or transducer.
During a therapeutic ultrasound treatment, the transducer is placed directly on the skin, and a gel is applied to the treatment area to help transmit the sound waves. The ultrasound waves penetrate the skin and cause the tissues beneath to vibrate, which creates a deep heat that can increase blood flow and promote tissue healing.
There are two types of ultrasound therapy: Continuous ultrasound and pulsed ultrasound. Continuous ultrasound delivers a steady stream of sound waves, which can create a constant deep heat effect in the tissues. Pulsed ultrasound delivers sound waves in short bursts, with periods of rest in between, which can help reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing.
Therapeutic ultrasound is typically used to treat soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis. It can also be used to reduce pain and stiffness associated with conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Ultrasound therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other physical therapy treatments, such as exercise, stretching, and massage.
Therapeutic Exercise
Therapeutic exercise is a type of physical therapy that involves a range of exercises and activities designed to help improve strength, flexibility, endurance, and overall physical function.
Range of Motion (ROM) exercises are designed to improve joint flexibility and mobility. They can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries that have limited their range of motion.
Strengthening exercises focus on building muscle strength, particularly in areas that may have been weakened by injury or illness. Strengthening exercises can help improve overall physical function and reduce the risk of future injuries. There are a variety of equipment options available for strengthening exercises, each with its own benefits and uses, such as resistance bands, free weights, weight machines, resistance tubing, balance boards, and suspension trainers.
A physical therapist will assess the individual's strength, mobility, and range of motion to determine which equipment and exercises are best suited to their needs. They will also provide guidance on proper technique and safety precautions to help prevent injury and ensure the best possible outcomes.
Other forms of exercise include Aerobic Exercise, Balance and Coordination Exercises, Body Weight exercises, and Posture Exercises.
The benefits of therapeutic exercise in physical therapy include improved strength and flexibility; pain reduction by strengthening muscles and reducing stress on joints; improved cardiovascular health; improved mental health and improved quality of life, which comes from overall physical function and level of independence.
Thermotherapy
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a form of therapy that uses cold temperatures to treat various conditions, such as pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. In physical therapy, cryotherapy is commonly used to help the body recover from injuries, especially those that involve swelling or inflammation.
The most common form of cryotherapy used in physical therapy is called cold therapy or ice therapy. Cold therapy involves applying a cold compress, such as an ice pack, to the affected area for a set period of time. The cold temperature causes blood vessels in the area to constrict, reducing blood flow and reducing inflammation.
Reducing inflammation can help reduce pain and promote healing in the affected area. Cold therapy can also help numb the area, providing temporary pain relief. Additionally, cold therapy can help reduce muscle spasms and prevent further damage to the affected area.
There are several ways to administer cryotherapy in physical therapy, including ice packs, cold wraps, and ice baths. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the injury and the type of cryotherapy used. In general, treatment sessions last between 10 and 20 minutes and are repeated several times a day.
While cryotherapy can be an effective way to manage pain and inflammation, it is important to use it under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as overuse or incorrect application can cause tissue damage or other complications.
Soft Tissue Techniques
Thermotherapy is a physical therapy treatment that involves the application of heat to the body. It can be delivered through various methods such as heating pads, warm compresses, ultrasound, or even warm baths.
Applying heat to an injured area increases blood flow, which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the area. This can help speed up the healing process and reduce pain. Heat therapy can also help reduce pain by relaxing muscles, reducing inflammation, and blocking pain signals from the affected area.
Applying heat to a muscle or joint can help improve flexibility and range of motion. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with tight muscles or joint stiffness. Likewise, heat therapy can help relax muscles, reducing the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms.
Thermotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not involve medication or surgery, making it a safe and effective option for many people.
Joint Mobilization
Joint mobilization is a manual therapy technique used in physical therapy to improve joint range of motion, reduce pain, and increase joint function. It involves the passive movement of the affected joint by a trained physical therapist to help restore normal joint mechanics.
During joint mobilization, the therapist applies controlled forces to the affected joint to help move it through its normal range of motion. This can help loosen up stiff joints and promote better movement. The therapist may also use specific techniques to stretch or manipulate the joint capsule, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is a non-invasive therapy that does not involve medication or surgery, making it a safe and effective option for many people.
It's important to note that joint mobilization should only be performed by a trained physical therapist and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. While it can be highly beneficial, improper technique or excessive force can lead to further injury or damage.
Soft tissue techniques refer to a range of manual therapy techniques used in physical therapy to treat conditions affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and other connective tissues in the body. These techniques involve applying pressure, stretching, or mobilization to the soft tissues to improve their function and alleviate pain and discomfort.
Some of the most common soft tissue techniques used in physical therapy:
Massage therapy: Massage therapy involves the manual manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation, increase blood flow, and reduce muscle tension.
Myofascial release: Myofascial release is a technique used to release tension and restrictions in the fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and other structures in the body.
Trigger point therapy: Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to specific points in muscles, called trigger points, to alleviate pain and improve muscle function.
Active release technique (ART): ART is a soft tissue technique that involves applying tension to muscles while actively moving the affected joint to break up adhesions and improve range of motion.
Graston technique: The Graston technique involves using a set of specialized tools to break up scar tissue and adhesions in soft tissues, which can help to alleviate pain and improve range of motion.
Strain-counterstrain: Strain-counterstrain is a gentle technique used to alleviate pain and tension in soft tissues by placing the affected muscle or joint in a position of minimal strain. Cupping therapy: Cupping therapy involves placing cups on the skin and creating a vacuum by suctioning the air out of the cups, which draws the skin and underlying tissues upward into the cup.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a non-invasive physical therapy modality that uses a small electric current to deliver medication through the skin and into the underlying tissue. The technique is often used to treat conditions such as inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms.
During an iontophoresis treatment, the physical therapist will apply a small electrode to the skin surface and connect it to a device that delivers a mild electrical current. The medication, which is typically in the form of a gel or solution, is applied to the skin surface at the site of the injury or inflammation. The electrical current then causes the medication to migrate through the skin and into the underlying tissue.
The electrical current used during iontophoresis creates a slight electrical charge that repels the similarly charged medication particles, causing them to migrate through the skin and into the underlying tissue. This allows the medication to be delivered directly to the affected area, bypassing the digestive system and the bloodstream, which can result in more targeted and effective treatment.
Light Therapy
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses light to promote healing and reduce pain. The therapy involves exposing the affected area of the body to specific wavelengths of light, which are believed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
Light therapy can help reduce pain by stimulating the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms and reducing inflammation. It can help reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with arthritis by promoting the production of collagen and reducing inflammation.
Light therapy can also help reduce muscle spasms and improve range of motion by promoting the relaxation of muscles.