PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES
While therapeutic exercise is the crux of physical therapy, it is by no means the only technique. Physical therapy modalities, or complimentary therapies, are used to relieve pain, improve movement and aid in the healing process. Ultrasound Therapy. While many people are familiar with the diagnostic capability of ultrasound, few have had experience with therapeutic ultrasound. Two types are primarily used in physical therapy - continuous ultrasound and pulsed ultrasound. Continuous, or thermal ultrasound heats the tissue it targets while pulsed, or nonthermal ultrasound, has been shown to accelerate healing on a cellular level. Beyond whether the sonic waves are continuous or pulsed, an ultrasound’s intensity, wave length and frequency can be adjusted to treat soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, ulcers, incisions, or tendon injuries. Electrical Stimulation. Also known as E-Stim, electrical stimulation is commonly used in physical therapy for pain relief and wound healing. Electrodes are placed on the body and an electrical current is run between them, forcing the muscle below to contract.This contraction can have one or more effects. It can strengthen a muscle that has atrophied, stop a muscle spasm, promote healing, reduce swelling, or enhance the effectiveness of medications. Electrical Stimulation has also been shown to aid in wound healing, depending on where the electrodes are placed and how they are spaced. Low-Level Laser Therapy. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) uses a low- intensity light to trigger changes within the cells below. Rather than using heat to create a thermal reaction the way some ultrasound therapy does, LLLTuses light tocreateaphotochemical reaction,much likephotosynthesis
in plants. LLLT is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat hand and wrist pain that is common in carpal tunnel syndrome, and to treat pain in the muscles and joints associated with arthritis, muscle strains and sprains. Since LLLT uses light instead of heat, it carries virtually no side effects and can be used in combination with other modalities for pain relief. It is important to remember thatno twopeople’sphysical therapyexperiences will be the same since no two people’s goals, commitment, pain and fitness levels, and needs are the same. Your physical therapist will create customized goals, therapeutic exercises and series of modalities that will address your individual needs. For more information on what physical therapy is or to find out what physical therapy can do for you, contact us for a consultation and to discuss your needs.
Sources:http://www.apta.org/AboutPTs/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198783 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4743666/
HEALTHY RECIPE
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VEGETARIAN CHILI
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• 1 teaspoon canola oil • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup green sweet pepper • 2 cloves garlic • 1 tsp bottled minced garlic • 1 (14.5 ounce) can no-salt- added diced tomatoes • 1 (8 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce • 1 cup water • 4½ tsp chili powder
INGREDIENTS • 1 tsp garlic-herb, salt-free seasoning blend • 1 tsp ground cumin • ⅛ tsp salt • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables • ¼ cup light sour cream • Fresh cilantro (optional) • ⅛ tsp chili powder (optional)
DIRECTIONS Lightly coat an unheated large saucepan or Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat bottomofpan.Addonion,sweetpepper,andgarlic tohotpan;cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until pepper is tender, stirring often. If necessary, reduceheat topreventburning.Addundraineddiced tomatoes, tomato sauce, thewater, thechilipowder, theseasoningblend,cumin,andsalt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in beans and mixed vegetables. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. If desired, top individual servings with sour cream and/or cilantro and sprinkle with the chili powder.
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