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Soft
tissue mobilization:
Pain can be caused by muscle tightness
or contracture or reflex guarding muscle spasm or tightness can be
provoked by pain. Physical Therapists are specially trained to identify
atypical muscle activity which is contributing to their patients symptoms
and to work the muscles and other soft tissues to restore the tissues
to their proper state. The therapist may identify and release trigger
points, (intense knots of tense muscle can also "refer"
pain to other parts of the body). Oftentimes in chronically painful
conditions the body develops adhesion and scaring in response to prolonged
inflammation. These adhesions respond well to soft tissue work.
Joint
Mobilization:
Techniques performed by the therapist
in order to re-establish movement within a joint and its structures.
Joint mobilization is the use of skilled, graded forces in order to
re-establish movement within a joint and its structures and to thereby
normalize joint function. It may also be used to reduce or control
pain.
Myofascial
Release
A manual technique involving the
gentle application of sustained pressure to, facilitate the release
and elongation of the myofascial restrictions. Fascia is a sort
of internal skin. It is a three dimensional web of fibers surrounding
and attaching to all of our bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments,
nerves, veins, arteries and organs, down to the cellular level.
Through the weaving fibers of the Fascial System, we are connected
from head to toe without interruption. Fascia reacts to physical
trauma by the shortening of its fibers in the injured area creating
potentially painful restrictions in the movement of joints, muscles,
nerves, internal organs, and other tissues. In time, local restrictions
can produce symptoms in parts of the body quite distant from the
site of initial injury. Patients suffering from myofascial restrictions
may experience dysfunctions varying from significant postural deviations
to disturbances in physiological function of internal organs and
other tissues. Healthy fascia has the ability to stretch and move
without restriction. Myofascial Release techniques promote unrestricted
mobility and natural elasticity of connective tissue promoting healthy,
pain-free fascia.
Therapeutic
Exercises
These are skillfully designed individualized exercises to address
a patient's specific problems. Exercises are an integral part of
the treatment performed by your therapist. Some will be performed
only at the clinic with the therapist assisting and others will
be given as a part of your home therapy program. The exercises will
work on specific goals which may include stretching of tight muscles
or joints, strengthening weak or imbalanced muscle patterns, improving
stabilization of the affected region, improving balance or improving
endurance.
Strength
Training:
Muscle weakness, muscle strength
and incorrect movement pattern are common factors in the problems
that bring a person to physical therapy. This is as frequently true
with someone who has undergone knee surgery for a sports injury
as it is with someone who has chronic low back pain.
Weight training uses the principle of
progressive overload, in which the muscles are overloaded by attempting
to lift at least as much weight as they are capable of. They respond
by growing larger and stronger. In the therapeutic setting initial
contractions may require assistance from the therapist to guide
the limb through its range of motion. This procedure is repeated
with progressively heavier weights as the practitioner gains strength
and endurance. So the patient is carefully brought from their initial
level of strength to the point where they have adequate strength
to achieve their activity goals.
Studies show that this approach
is as effective with those weakened by age or illness as it is with
athletes.
Range of Motion Exercises:
Before range-of-motion exercises
are started, physical therapists evaluate the person's range of
motion with an instrument that measures angles of joint motion (goniometer
Range-of-motion exercises may be passive (in which a therapist moves
the joint), active-assistive (in which the person needs some help
moving the joint), or active (in which the person moves the joint
without any help). During passive or active-assistive range-of-motion
exercises, therapists move the joint gently to avoid injury. A person
may begin with passive or active-assistive exercise and, as strength
increases, move to active exercise. Many specialized techniques
are used to help gain flexibility including muscle energy technique.
Muscle Energy Technique
is used for correction of musculoskeletal and biomechanical dysfunction.
This treatment is an excellent tool for effective correction of
joint mobility restrictions causing pain and disability. Clients
suffering from persistent, chronic neck or back pain are amazed
by the rapid improvements and sustainability achieved with this
approach. It works equally dramatic with acute sports injuries and
trauma due to auto-vehicle accidents.
Therapeutic
Yoga
Therapeutic Yoga weaves the science
of physical therapy and age old practice of yoga to accelerate recovery
from injury or surgery, prevent re-injury and enhance the activities
of daily living, work, and recreation. Exercises are instructed
for strength, flexibility, balance and stabilization and can be
performed at home.
Pilates
Pilates is a system of movements and exercises developed by Joseph
Pilates in the early 1900's. A German gymnast, Pilates created this
innovative method to realign and balance your body.
Physical therapists have found that Pilates methods can dramatically
develop and/or enhance fitness, posture, flexibility, strength,
co-ordination and balance not only for the “well” population,
but also for their physician referred rehabilitation patients. Fitness
gained through Pilates mat exercise classes and/or individual workout
sessions on Pilates equipment will enhance an individual’s
performance for all other types of activities and athletic endeavors.
Gyrokenesis Exercise
Gyrokenesis Exercise is a unique system of exercises that incorporates
movement principles from yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai-chi.
From the word "gyro" (meaning ring, spiral or circle)
and "tonic" (to tone or invigorate), Gyrotonics is a way
of increasing range of motion, coordination, and strength by performing
prescribed graceful, circular motions.
The method can be adapted to any level of fitness, age or ability
and is used widely for therapeutic purposes as well as for general
body conditioning . Using this workout approach the exerciser can
develop integration and mutually supporting action in all the major
muscle groups.
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