Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Q & A

What can be accomplished with physical therapy?

Physical therapy (PT) involves various types of exercises and treatments designed to improve joint and muscle function. PT focuses on rebuilding strength, improving range of motion and coordination, and rehabilitating your ability to participate in the activities that fill your daily life.

PT is the cornerstone of functional rehabilitation because it relieves inflammation and pain, relaxes muscles, boosts flexibility, and increases blood flow to injured tissues. Your doctor at The Spine Center of Louisiana may recommend PT for conditions such as:

• Trauma injuries, such as sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures
• Repetitive stress injuries, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendon tears, such as Achilles tendon and rotator cuff tears
• Following orthopedic surgery, such as ligament reconstruction or hip replacement
• Pain relief of chronic conditions
• Osteoporosis
• Back pain
• Arthritis

What types of treatments are used during physical therapy?

Your physical therapist at The Spine Center of Louisiana creates an individualized treatment plan, choosing specific therapies, called modalities, to target your condition and promote rehabilitation. Examples of PT modalities used include:

• Therapeutic exercise: diverse passive and active activities to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion
• Ultrasound and other thermal therapies: promotes tissue healing, relieves pain, relaxes muscles and soft tissues
• Ice therapy: ice pack or ice massage to reduce swelling, inflammation, and muscle spasms
• Electrotherapeutics: gentle electrical stimulation to promote healing and improve nerve or muscle function
• Therapeutic procedures: Mechanical traction, therapeutic massage, connective tissue release, postural training, neuromuscular re-education, body mechanics and ergonomics

Can you continue physical therapy at home?

In most cases, continuing therapy at home is important for achieving optimal recovery. Your physical therapist at The Spine Center of Louisiana teaches you the exercises to do at home, paying special attention to body mechanics and making sure you know how to perform the activity to avoid excessive stress.

You’ll also learn when it’s safe to push through pain, as well as when pain is a signal telling you it’s time to stop exercising. The team at The Spine Center of Louisiana combines expert orthopedic care, experienced physical therapists, and specialized equipment in their facility to promote pain relief, healing, and rehabilitation. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an evaluation if you need physical therapy.