Physical Therapy Technologies

By La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

Physical therapy is often recommended by physicians and practitioners for many different ailments, injuries and diagnoses as a corrective or maintenance measure. Upon beginning physical therapy sessions, a physical therapist will create a comprehensive patient plan of care involving the use of different technologies for your care.

Here is a list to better understand treatment technologies used by physical therapists

Ultrasound (Pulsed/Continuous)

Ultrasonic frequency treatment is a modality to treat pain and inflammation conditions like bursitis and degenerative joint conditions affecting the shoulder spine, hip, and knees. This also promotes tissue healing by increasing blood flow.

Estim/TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Low voltage electrical current created by a small hand-held, battery-powered machine. Two wires carrying the electrical current are attached to the unit with two sticky pads at the end of each respective wire. The pads are placed in appropriate locations on your skin according to your physical therapist's instructions. Once the machine is turned on and the settings are fixed, the machine delivers small electrical pulses to the body via electrode pads affecting the way the pain signals are received and processed in the brain. TENS is used to relieve pain and promote muscle re-education for conditions like drop foot or weak quadriceps.

Light Therapy

Very short wavelengths of light (photons) penetrating through the skin and tissues to promote tissue healing on the cellular level by increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which increases the body's natural healing ability. Light therapy is used to treat arthritis, muscle strains, pain reduction, fractures, TMJ and diabetic neuropathy.

Paraffin

Hot wax used to promote relaxation, pain relief, and increased circulation. Typically used to treat arthritis and joint pain of the hands.

Iontophoresis

Mild electrical currents transmitted from a hand-held machine, through a wire, and into a pad/patch saturated with medication. It is used to penetrate an anti-inflammatory medication deep into tissue. Dexamethasone is the typical drug used in treating inflammation issues such as bursitis and tendonitis.

Traction

A machine is used to generate a gentle pulling force applied to the body. This force is used to facilitate spinal decompression (pressure relief) for pain related to disc herniation, degenerative spinal discs, facet joint syndromes, and decrease tissue tension of and around the spine.

Aquatic (Pool Exercise With Jets and Treadmill)

An extremely comfortable and warm (92-94 degrees Fahrenheit) therapeutic setting increasing circulation and decreasing weight bearing significantly. This helps to drastically decrease stress to the joints while increasing strength and mobility. Aquatic therapy is extremely helpful for chronic pain, arthritis, gait re-education, pre-operative back, hip and knee strengthening, returning to sports, and fibromyalgia.