Different Types of Treatments
Available treatments will vary from practice to practice. Here is a list of some your PT may use:
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Active Assistive Range of Motion (AAROM)
Used for weak muscles or joints, the therapist assist the patient move the body part through a range of motion -
Active Range of Motion (AROM)
The patient lifts or moves a body part through range of motion without assistance from the therapist. -
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Ice or cold packs are used to constrict the blood vessels in order to reduce swelling and pain. This can be used for both acute and chronic injuries. -
Corrective Exercise
After a thorough examination and evaluation, corrective exercises may be prescribed to treat pain and mobility problems by re-educating your body on how to move through it’s full range of motion. -
Gait or Walking Training
A therapist can identify walking problems with a visual examination of body moves during the various stages of walking, including initial contact, loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre swing, mid swing, and terminal swing. Many common pains and problems can be caused by subtle gait abnormalities. -
Heat
Heat is commonly applied to decrease chronic pain, relax muscles, and for pain relief. A therapist may use a heating bad, warmed rice socks, or hot wet compresses. -
Iontophoresis
During iontophoresis, a mild electrical current is passed through water (usually using shallow pans for hands or feet or specific pads for other body areas) and through the skin's surface. -
Isometrics
Isometric exercises are contractions of a specific muscle or group of muscles. During isometric exercises, the muscle doesn't noticeably change length and the affected joint doesn't move. Isometric exercises help maintain strength. You may also hear them called isometric holds. -
Isotonics
With an isotonic contraction, the tension of the muscle remains the same, while the muscle's length changes. This is typical of most exercises. -
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio Taping is a non-invasive technique use to treat pain, swelling and movement problems. Typical brands are Rock Tape, KT Tape, Spider Tech, Theraband and many others. It is a applied to the area of the body and typically stays in place for 3-5 days and used in conjunction with other treatment techniques and patient education. -
Mobilization
Mobilization is usually prescribed to increase mobility, delaying progressive stiffness, and to relieve pain. Your therapist may use one or many types of mobilization techniques including Maitland, Kaltenborn, Isometric Mobilizations, etc. -
Neck Traction
A gentle longitudinal/axial pull on the neck, either manual or mechanical, intermittent or continuous for relief of neck pain, to decrease muscle spasm, and help de-load the spine. -
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
The application of electrical stimulation to help improve strength. NMES is also used to decrease pain and swelling and to relieve muscle spasm. It is commonly used on muscles surrounding a joint after surgery. -
Passive Range of Motion (PROM)
The patient or therapist moves the body part through a range of motion without the use of the muscles that "actively" move the joint. -
Pelvic Traction
The longitudinal/axial pull on the lumbar spine, either manual or mechanical, intermittent or continuous. Pelvic traction may help relieve low back pain and muscle spasm. -
Posture Training
Therapists assist patients achieving proper posture and alignment of the back, neck, and spine. They will practice exercise to maintain correct posture while sitting, standing, driving, and walking.Stretching and strengthening exercises may be prescribed to facilitate postural improvement and to prevent further disability and future recurrences of problems. -
Progressive Resistive Exercises (PRE)
Gradually adding load to the muscles in order to build muscle size and strength. The PRE method is what you might think of when you think of weight lifters and body builders using free weights (barbells and dumbbells). -
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
A system of manually resisted exercises that mimic functional movements. PNF was initially used in developmentally and neurologically impaired patients but now is used in almost every aspect of neuromuscular retraining from athletes in sports facilities to the very weak in hospitals and nursing homes. It is a more advanced form of flexibility training that involves both stretching and contracting of the muscle group being targeted in order to achieve maximum static flexibility. -
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Therapeutic massage of body tissue performed with the hands. Soft tissue mobilization may be used for muscle relaxation, to decrease swelling, to decrease scar tissue adhesions, and for pain relief. -
Stationary Bicycle
A form of cardiovascular exercise that is usually prescribed for improving the strength and/or range of motion of the back or lower extremities. -
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
A relatively low electrical current is applied over painful areas through small self-adhesive electrodes.. It is a small, portable unit that can help control pain and reduce dependence on drugs. -
Trigger Point Dry Needling
Dry needling is also called trigger point dry needling or myofascial trigger point dry needling. It is performed by trained and licensed physical therapists and other healthcare professionals to treat pain and movement dysfunctions. -
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
A relatively low voltage applied over painful areas through small self-adhesive electrodes. The electrical stimulation "disguises" or "overrides" the sensation of pain. It is a small, portable unit, used in intervals, to control pain and reduce dependence on drugs. It is usually prescribed for relief of pain. -
Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is used to provide deep heating to soft tissues include muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Ultrasound in physical therapy is not to be confused with diagnostic ultrasound, which is used to see the inside of the body, such as during pregnancy. -
Whirlpool
Immersion of a body part into water with small "agitators" to provide a gentle massaging motion. A warm whirlpool provides relief from pain and muscle spasm and is often used prior to stretching or exercise. Cold whirlpool is used to decrease inflammation and swelling.