Forms Of Physical Therapy Cambridge MA

By William Kelly


Physical therapy is treatment that is recommended when one experiences health problems that make it hard to move around and perform tasks they need to be doing. It comes in handy in enhancement of motion and relief of pain besides the fact that it ensures restoration of fitness levels and physical functions. In consideration of physical therapy Cambridge MA residents can benefit from some useful information.

It can help with recovery after some surgeries. Doctors will normally recommend it for injuries or long-term health problems like arthritis. It is either used alone or with other forms of treatment. The therapist examines you to know the various symptoms you are experiencing. This helps to come up with a treatment plan. The main goal is to make joints move better and restoration of flexibility and strength. It will also enhance strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance.

There are different forms of physical therapy. Among the commonest is exercise. This is a controlled physical stresses applied to the body so that there is enhancement of strength, flexibility and range of motion. Exercise can either be active or passive. When it comes to passive exercise, the affected person relaxes as the therapist applies the required stress. The hamstring stress exercise is an example and involves lifting the leg to ensure elongation of hamstring muscles around the thighs.

Active exercises are performed under the power of the individual. Examples include walking on treadmills, straight leg raising and hip strengthening exercises. Home exercise programs are recommended. These are exercises that are supposed to be performed individually. They are very important when one wants to return to normal function. In general, exercising is one of the main techniques used by therapists.

On rare occasions, electric stimulation is used to reduce pain around tissues that are injured. This theory can be explained in two ways, the opiate theory and gate theory. Other forms of this stimulation are used to contract muscles. This is used to help injured muscles relearn ways of functioning properly. The treatment might take time before normal operations are resumed.

Traction is used to treat neck pain and lower back pain. This in essence will help in enhancing how easily the spine moves. To utilized lumbar traction technique, the individual is strapped into a mechanical machine. A vest is used in supporting of ribs. Theoretically, traction is used for separating joints and disk spaces that are at the lower neck and also back. This will minimize nerve pressure at the spine.

There is also use of light or laser therapy. Light therapies usually involve using light which is at specific wavelengths that help to improve healing of tissues that had injuries. The treatment is painless and lasts for three minutes maximum. Therapists will hold light emitting wands over the injured parts and then press a button that activate the light.

Massage is also an option. It involves using hands to knead injured tissues of the body and thus decrease pain and improve circulation. Muscle tension will also be decreased.




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