Physical Therapy Services

Some "Hands On" Techniques Include:

Myofascial Release Techniques

These techniques encompass a number of specialized techniques to restore tissue mobility, help regain painfree motions, and reduce pain in the affected areas. Some techniques are quite gentle but some techniques affect the deeper tissues and work on loosening up chronically tight and painful muscles and connective tissues around the spine and extremities.

Joint Mobilization Techniques

Each joint in the body has a mechanical “accessory motion” that allows it to move through its full range of movement, such as the patella (knee cap) gliding up and down to allow the knee to bend and straighten smoothly and allow you to climb stairs and rise from a chair comfortably. The therapist may perform gentle passive movement at the patella to help you move better.

Massage

Therapeutic massage helps to improve circulation, promote relaxation of the involved muscles and tissues, and promotes more painfree and effective mobility.

Passive Range of Motion

Since one of the main objectives of physical therapy is to restore the patient’s full available range of motion of the joint or joints involved, the therapist may passively move the joint or stretch the affected muscle to maximize the amount of movement or stretching available.  This is done in conjunction with exercises to facilitate movement.  It is best when the patients are able to move their joints through the full ranges themselves, but there are times when this is difficult either due to pain or muscle weakness.

Transverse Friction Massage

A hands on technique for passive motion of the joint services that is needed to restore joint range of motion and mechanics.  Primarily used for restoration of mobility and for pain relief.

Other treatment methods include:

Ultrasound

Continuous ultrasound used for deep heat Pulsed ultrasound used for reduction of inflammation

Electric Stimulation

Used to decrease pain and inflammation

LASER

Cold laser to promote healing

Cervical & Lumbar Traction

Mechanical traction forces utilized to reduce disc pain

Therapeutic Exercise & Activities:

Balance & Agility Techniques

In many cases the therapist will implement a balance and agility program for a patient who is having difficulty with mobility during walking and standing as well as high level athletes trying to get back to their performance level.  Techniques can range from standing on a balance pad with changes by the therapist to steady themselves on one leg to hopping over cones and catching a medicine ball for a basketball player recovering from an injury or surgery.  These are typically performed in conjunction with standard strengthening and conditioning and are specific to the function goals of the patient and are expected to be pain-free and graduated with the patient’s abilities.

Strengthening Exercises

Resistance to a movement helps to load a muscle group to facilitate reeducation in performing the movement as well as increasing muscle mass and strength.  Placing weights or some resistance to the extremity or trunk does this.  Various uses are available including cuff weights for the extremities, dumbbells, resistance machines, special resistance bands, and the patient’s own body weight with gravity.  Techniques can be complex to simple, and physical therapists are specialists in developing a comprehensive program for most patients.

Flexibility Exercises

Restoring and improving muscle length and flexibility is essential for good health and balance for our joints and bodies.  Often the larger muscle groups are addressed with these exercises such as the hamstring, calves, hip and trunk muscles.  The goal is to be able to perform a 30 second hold or better for several repetitions to maximize the effect and should be pain free.  Common mistakes are bouncing and stretching into “pain”, which actually may negate the effect of the stretching exercise.  Physical therapists are well versed in many ways to stretch muscles in a variety of positions to accommodate the ability of their clients.

Offered Only at Westampton
Aqua Therapy:

There are many advantages to aqua therapy. While the patient may be restricted in activities on dry land, he or she may perform a wide range of activities in the water. The warmth of the water causes a relaxation of muscles. The buoyancy reduces joint compressive forces to allow the movement and positioning with reduced pain. The warmth of the water also reduces pain sensation by bombarding the sensory system with temperature input and decreasing the painful noxious input that travels the same pathways. This relief of spasm and reduction of pain assists in breaking down the pain-spasm injury cycle discussed in chapter 2. Reduction of joint compressive forces and relaxation of muscles permit better movement of the injured area. Buoyancy equipment can help even further in reducing stress to the area’s muscles and permit greater ease of movement. Reduction of gravitational forces on the body allows activity when weight bearing is not permissible.

Instituting exercises early helps the patient maintain or develop a healthy attitude, promotes body awareness and balance, and stresses newly forming tissue without overstressing it. Improved circulation in the injured site increases the exchange of nutrients and metabolites to advance the healing process. Movement in water can often relieve or reduce pain do to immobilization or edema. If pain and edema can be reduced to affect the pain-injury cycle, the healing rate may be accelerated so that recovery occurs more readily. The Patients ability to begin exercises sooner also helps to prevent the deconditioning that can play a part in delaying the return to sport participation.