Friday, July 4, 2014

Highly Effective Physical Therapy Treatment Methods

When it comes to physical therapy (PT), treatment options are many. However, most common physical therapy treatments include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, hot and cold treatments, physical exercise, hydrotherapy, and deep heat. 

Not only are these treatments usable in general therapy, they can also be altered and modified for application in pediatrics, orthopedic, neurology, cardiology, and geriatrics.

Almost every type of treatment involves therapeutic and cardio exercises in order to strengthen patient’s mobility, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Therapists begin by assessing each patient’s body’s coordination and capability, to accordingly device a unique exercise regime, which fits them individually. 

Stretching, core stability exercises, lifting weights and water aerobics are a few exercises that are commonly included in physical therapy in Frederick, MD. It may also use certain machines like treadmills.

Therapists mostly encourage patients to improve the level of their daily physical activities by introducing simple changes in their routine and lifestyle, such as taking stairs instead of using an elevator.

Manual therapy is another method of curing physical disabilities. It is practiced with hands and not with any machine or device. The aim is to manage and decrease pain, relax the muscles, and improve blood circulation and flexibility. A fine example would be body massages.

Massage is technique in which pressure is applied on the affected body part, using hands. It aims to manipulate soft tissues to alleviate and ease down the pain, and improve blood circulation.

Mobilization is the treatment that makes the muscle movement better. It improves joints and ligaments by twisting, moving, pulling and pushing of bones into different positions. Mobilization is also similar to manipulation except for the fact that the latter one involves faster and more forceful movements to bring the joints and bones into right position.

Let us now move on to hot therapies. These therapies provide nutrition to the muscles, soft tissues and increase blood flow to heal them. In this course of treatment, therapists apply gel pads and heat packs on the affected area.

Cold compresses help alleviate muscle spasm. It also reduces pain and inflammation by slowing down blood circulation in the injured body part or areas suffering from diseases like arthritis. Ice packs are applied to alleviate swelling, especially on the first two days following an injury, followed by application of heat pads.

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