A physical therapist is a specialist trained to work with you to restore your activity, strength, and motion following an injury or surgery. Physical therapists can teach specific exercises, stretches, and techniques and use specialized equipment to address problems that cannot be managed without this specialized physical therapy training.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Physical therapists are trained to identify deficiencies in the biomechanics of the body. Working with a physical therapist can target specific areas of weakness in the way our bodies work. They can relieve stress and help the body function without pain.
Physical therapists are knowledgeable about surgical procedures and treatment goals and can tailor their efforts to improve your well-being. After surgical procedures, it is important that therapy is guided by the surgical procedure. Physical therapists are knowledgeable about your body's limitations after surgery and can help ensure a successful outcome.
Stretching Tight Muscles and Joints
Stretching is vital in maintaining a good range of motion with joints and the flexibility of muscles. If you have stiff joints or tight muscles, normal activities, such as climbing stairs or reaching overhead, can be severely affected. With proper stretching, these functions can be preserved.
After an injury or surgery, scar tissue forms and soft tissue contracts. It is important to regularly stretch in these situations to ensure that scar formation does not get in the way of your rehabilitation.
Exercises to Strengthen Your Body
Strengthening exercises are performed to help you improve the function of your muscles. The goal is to improve strength, increase endurance and maintain or improve range of motion.
Post-operative exercises should always be guided by your doctor and physical therapist, as there may be specific restrictions for your injury. The following guidelines can help you along your way for knee Injuries, shoulder injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries.
Core Strengthening and Stability
One of the most recent developments in physical therapy is the emphasis on core strengthening and stability. The core of your body is like the foundation of your house. If you were to build your house on a weak foundation, you could risk damage and collapse. Similarly, bodies with a weak core are susceptible to acute injury and chronic overuse syndromes.
Core strengthening emphasizes the muscles of the back and pelvis. Some exercise programs, especially pilates, are fantastic at increasing the bodies core stability. That is the reason many professional athletes do regular pilates workouts.
Ice and Heat Application
Ice and heat are useful in warming up and cooling off muscles. In addition, these methods can stimulate blood flow and decrease swelling. These can be important aspects of the therapeutic process. The key to proper ice and heat treatment is knowing when to ice and heat an injury.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves (not within the range we can hear) to stimulate the deep tissues within the body. By passing an ultrasound probe over your body, deep tissues are stimulated by the vibration of the sound wave. This leads to warming and increased blood flow to these tissues.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation is a therapy that passes an electrical current to an affected area. Nerve conduction within the region is altered, which can, in turn, alter muscle contractility. Blood flow to these tissues is also increased with electrical stimulation. Patients often experience diminished pain after this electrical stimulation of treatment.
Article By: Jonathan Cluett, MD
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