Physical Therapy

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical field that uses noninvasive devices and physical movement to help you recover after illness or injury. It’s important not to overuse or stress injured parts of your body. However, immobility is equally inadvisable.

If you don’t use your muscles and joints, the tissues get weaker and, in time, start to contract. Shortened ligaments and tendons make you even stiffer and don’t provide the support your body needs.

A skilled physical therapist works with you to increase strength in your muscles and soft tissues and prevent you from getting stiff and weak. Physical therapy is a proven method of speeding up healing and restoring function for patients who have neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

What are the types of physical therapy?

There are two approaches to physical therapy:

Active physical therapy

Active physical therapy involves your Pohlman Pain Associates provider manipulating your tissues to increase flexibility and strength. You also learn how to do appropriate exercises at home using the correct techniques.

Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching are examples of active physical therapy.

Passive physical therapy

Passive physical therapy involves the use of various manual devices and advanced technologies to deliver your treatment while you relax.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which delivers electrical impulses to your nerves, is a widely used form of passive physical therapy.

What techniques are used in physical therapy?

One of the main physical therapy techniques used at Pohlman Pain Associates is therapeutic exercise. Your provider assists you in stretching your muscles and shows you how to carry out the same exercises at home.

Your exercises might involve the use of equipment, like a band to provide resistance, or a ball to improve balance. Your exercise program also addresses issues like posture and coordination, and specific problems you might be having with your breathing, circulation, or other systems.

Massage therapy is another widely used technique that offers benefits such as:

• Faster healing
• Reduction in pain
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved range of motion
• Lowered stress levels
• Enhanced mood
• Improved circulation

Massage therapy is an effective, gentle form of treatment for all types of chronic pain, as well as being a relaxing, pleasant experience.

Physical therapy is a vitally important treatment; it’s impossible to achieve the optimal recovery from severe injury or serious illness without it. Call Pohlman Pain Associates today to find out how you can benefit from their physical therapy services or book an appointment online.