-
Arthritis
Category:
When Is Physical Therapy Used?
The term "arthritis" means joint inflammation. This degenerative joint disease occurs as a result of genetic or hereditary factors, injuries and improper body mechanics. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints.
There are two major forms of arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An
Read more
-
Balance Retraining
Category:
When Is Physical Therapy Used?
Many factors can cause balance and fall problems, particularly among older adults. In fact, one out of three seniors experiences a fall at least once each year. Leading risk factors for falls include:
Being age 65 or older
Prior history of falls
Pre-existing medical conditions, such as stroke,
Read more
-
Bone Fractures and Dislocations
Category:
When Is Physical Therapy Used?
Fractures
A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. There are 206 bones in an adult's body, more than half of which reside in the hands and feet. Most people will fracture a bone once or twice in a lifetime. A fracture occurs when too much force is exerted on a bone, usually from an accident
Read more
-
Cardiovascular Conditioning
Category:
Types of Treatment
Cardiovascular conditioning improves circulation and strengthens the heart, lungs and blood vessels. It builds endurance and strength for the heart muscle, whether a person is well or recovering from a disease or injury. Exercise conditions the heart to work more efficiently, which helps prevent heart
Read more
-
Cervical/Lumbar Traction
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
Cervical spinal traction is used for the short-term treatment of neck pain. It is designed to relieve muscle spasms and nerve root compression. Using a manual (hands only) or mechanical technique, a steady or intermittent force is applied to the neck to stretch the muscles and soft tissue and open up
Read more
-
Chest Physiotherapy
Category:
Types of Treatment
Chest physiotherapy involves a number of physical techniques to help remove excess mucus from respiratory passages and improve breathing. The goal is to help patients breathe more freely and get more oxygen through the blood stream into all parts of the body.
Normally, mucus helps lubricate the lungs.
Read more
-
Cold Packs
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
The application of ice to an injured area of the body is often an early treatment used to reduce swelling and inflammation. This technique is applied in cases of bone fractures, sprains, strains, pulled muscles or other sports injuries. Ice is applied to the injury for 20 minutes 2-4 times daily until
Read more
-
Compression Therapy
Category:
Types of Treatment
Compression therapy is used to reduce swelling and improve circulation in the legs, most commonly post surgery. Normally, leg movement, such as walking, stimulates regular contraction and relaxation of the calf muscles to help circulate blood from the lower extremeties up to the heart. Periods of immobility,
Read more
-
Five Types of Physical Therapy
Category:
What Is Physical Therapy?
The field of physical therapy has sub-specialties in five distinct practice areas:
Orthopedic
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on restoring function to the musculoskeletal system, including joints, tendons, ligaments and bones. Many sports injuries fall into this category. Treatment methods include
Read more
-
Gait Retraining
Category:
Types of Treatment, Exercise
Gait retraining is a method used to prevent and rehabilitate injuries to the leg, knee or hip that occur from walking or running. The goal of this technique is to correct body mechanics for a better stride and to lessen stress on the joints and soft tissue. It is most commonly used to reduce joint wear
Read more
-
Hot Packs
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
The application of moist heat to an injured area is often used in conjuntion with other therapies to relax tight muscles and decrease pain or muscle spasms. Hot packs increase blood circulation, which encourages healing. Physical therapists also use hot packs to relax muscles following therapeutic exercise.
It
Read more
-
Hydrotherapy
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
Hydrotherapy, also known as aqua therapy, is a program of exercises performed in a pool or body of water designed to help relieve joint pain. Hydrotherapy is often selected by a physical therapist because water buoyancy takes pressure off of the joints at the same time that it allows for resistance training.
Read more
-
IFC (Inferential Current Therapy)
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
IFC is an electronic device used to stimulate nerve endings in deep tissue in order to reduce swelling, relieve pain, stop muscle spasms, increase blood flow and support healing. IFC is a technology used to treat many muscle, soft tissue and nerve diseases or injuries, such as:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Back
Read more
-
Iontophoresis
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
Iontophoresis uses an electrical charge to deliver medication through the skin. Known as a transdermal drug delivery system, this non-invasive method is used by physical therapists for the application of anti-inflammatory medications, usually in cases where tendons, bursa or muscles are swollen or irritated.
Iontophoresis
Read more
-
Joint Mobilization
Category:
Types of Treatment, Manual Techniques
Joints are points in the body where two bones meet. They are surrounded by soft tissue, which is susceptible to injury or disease. Joint mobilization is a physical therapy technique designed to relieve pain and muscle spasms, release tension and improve flexibility in a joint. By increasing the client’s
Read more
-
Laser Light Therapy
Category:
Types of Treatment, Modalities
Also known as Infrared Light Therapy, laser light therapy promotes tissue repair and natural healing in and around bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. A small machine targets red and near infrared light waves at an injured part of the body. It provides temporary relief of minor muscle aches,
Read more