Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy involves the evaluation and treatment of physical disabilities. Physical Therapy focuses on improving a person’s movement and function, whether it’s related to bones, joints, muscles or nerves.

To learn even more about PT, you can visit the following website:  www.apta.org

One of the essential keys to managing pain is to actively engage in therapeutic exercise.  Physical Therapy helps place patients on the right track by exercising weak points and regaining strengths that may have been lost.  Our exercise programs are tailored to the individual condition and pain level.  They include a comprehensive evaluation and a prescription for a combination of stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning.

Below us a brief introduction to just some of the sophisticated modalities that we commonly use in our PT clinic:

OmniSound 3000E PRO -Therapeutic Ultrasound utilizes high and low frequency sound waves that are transmitted to the surrounding tissue and vasculature.   This is helpful for relieving pain, increasing the extensibility of collagen tissues, decreasing joint stiffness and contractures, reduction of muscle spasm, increasing circulation, and the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions.

OmniStim 500 PRO– Electrical Muscle Stimulation uses an electrical current to cause a single muscle or group of muscles to contract which assists with muscle strengthening and promoting blood supply to the area to facilitate healing.  This advanced technology is able to send a specialized type of electrical current through electrodes which can disrupt a pain signal in the effected area to the surrounding nerves.  By interrupting the signal, the patient will experience less pain.  Electrical stimulation is commonly utilized for the treatment of pain, joint or range of motion limitations, muscle re-education, spasticity and muscle spasm, muscle disuse atrophy, circulation deficits.

Manual physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine.  Stephanie is a specialist who is able to use her hands to put pressure on muscle tissues and mobilize joints if necessary to decrease pain caused by muscle spasms, muscle tension and joint dysfunction.

It is important to remember that physical therapy modalities can help you feel better and move better, but they should never replace an active exercise program for your condition. Most problems that result in functional limitations and pain will resolve best with the correct movement strategies and exercises that your physical therapist can prescribe.

Fact: While some discomfort may be experienced while undergoing Physical Therapy, it is meant to reduce pain and not increase it. “No pain-No gain” is only true in rare cases. Let your physical therapist know when you are in pain, and they can adjust your therapy accordingly. The main objective is to help you heal while working within your pain threshold.

Fact: Physical Therapists not only help patients recover from injuries and accidents; they can also diagnose potential problems before they lead to serious or disabling conditions. To name a few, Physical Therapists can assist with carpal tunnel syndrome,  chronic headaches, and lower back pain.

Fact: Actually, most insurance plans cover physical therapy to some degree. In this case you may need a physician’s prior referral to ensure insurance coverage

Fact: While a  patients participation is essential for recovery, they still require a professionals guidance and expertise.  Only a licensed physical therapist can create an individualized plan for a successful treatment outcome.