Top Physical Therapy Techniques Used in Denver Clinics
Have you ever suffered an injury? Had surgery? Dealt with chronic pain? If so, then you understand the difficulty in getting back to your baseline level of functioning. But licensed professionals know how.
Physical therapists employ various techniques to alleviate pain, restore functioning and range of motion, and facilitate everyday living. When assessing and diagnosing physical therapy needs, Denver physical therapy clinics use various techniques unique to the area. Many of these interventions relate to strengthening, coordination and balance, ease of movement, and ease of pain.
Check out some of the most common physical therapy techniques used in Denver clinics to get started on your journey to better health.
1. Exercise Programs
The majority of physical therapy involves exercise in Denver, wherein physical therapists use exercise to facilitate strengthening, improve range of motion, or avoid injury in the future.
The types of exercises used during treatment include stretching exercises, resistance training, and balance exercises.
Stretching exercises improve flexibility and decrease tightness,, while resistance training restores strength in weakened muscles after injury. Balance training also decreases the chance of falling and increases stability.
However, before commencing an exercise program, your therapist will diagnose you and create a plan suitable for your needs. They will also show you how to perform these exercises to get the best results and avoid injury.
2. Hands-on Treatment (Manual Therapy)
A well-liked Denver physical therapy treatment is manual therapy. This involves the physical therapist utilizing his/her hands to manipulate, move, and stretch various joints and muscles for increased flexibility and decreased pain.
Manual therapy techniques used in Denver clinics include massage therapy, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization.
Massage therapy reduces body tension, increases circulation, and reduces stress. During a joint mobilization technique, your therapist will passively move your joints to reduce tightness and increase your range of motion.
Soft tissue mobilization, on the other hand, focuses on breaking up scar tissue and improving muscle function.
Your therapist may recommend manual therapy if you have sports injuries or are a victim of an accident. Post-surgical rehabilitation and patients with arthritis also receive manual therapy for pain reduction and improved function.
3. Heat and Ice Therapy
When pain and swelling impede recovery, alleviating them is helpful. This is why heat and ice are common in physical therapy.
Heat eases muscle tightness and encourages blood circulation. This therapeutic treatment is often used for long-term injuries with persistent soreness and tight muscles. Conversely, ice therapy decreases swelling and numbs pain. It is often used for acute injuries like sprains and bruises.
The decision to use heat or cold depends on the physical therapist in Denver, the assessment, and the therapeutic goals. Sometimes, your therapist may even alternate between the two therapies for the best results.
4. Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation may sound frightening, but it isn’t. It is a relatively gentle, non-invasive treatment for pain relief and muscle strengthening.
However, there are two types of electrical stimulation; the best one for you depends on your treatment goals.
TENS, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, is used for pain relief. Your therapist will use a small device to send low-level electrical impulses to prevent pain signals from getting to the brain.
On the other hand, EMS or Electrical Muscle Stimulation focuses on improving muscle strength. The treatment stimulates your muscles to promote contractions, increasing strength and range of motion.
Usually, physical therapists recommend electrical stimulation to patients with chronic pain, atrophied muscles, or injuries that do not allow for a full range of motion.
5. Dry Needling
Dry Needling is the process of inserting super fine needles into trigger points in deep, hard-to-reach muscles to make them release. The primary benefits of this treatment technique are decreased muscle tension and increased range of motion, which leads to quicker healing.
Physical therapists often recommend dry needling for people suffering from chronic pain, sports-related injuries, or overly tight muscles.
However, bear in mind that this is NOT acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese tradition that works with energy pathways and meridians. Dry needling, on the other hand, is practiced by multiple practitioners in Denver for added recovery benefits and decreased pain.
6. Vestibular Rehab for Dizziness and Vertigo
Sometimes, suddenly, singing too loud can make you dizzy. Other times, it may be a result of an underlying health condition. This is where vestibular rehabilitation comes in.
Vestibular-trained physical therapists evaluate balance problems through extensive testing and create a customized course of care. This treatment technique can benefit those with chronic dizziness, frequent episodes of vertigo, or an inner ear infection.
Vestibular rehabilitation aims to address issues with the vestibular system, restore balance in the body, and reduce fall risk.
7. Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is exactly what it sounds like—therapy in water. Typically, this technique is done in a heated pool where individuals can work out and build strength without additional pressure on muscles and joints.
Aquatic therapy has several benefits, including increased range of motion, decreased inflammation, and increased strength. It is suitable for sports injuries, post-surgery individuals, babies, and senior citizens.
Aquatic therapy is so effective because buoyancy allows the body to float without adding stress to the muscles and joints. Water resistance forces muscles to work harder, building strength while effortlessly improving flexibility. This works wonders for those with arthritis and swollen joints or post-surgery patients.
8. Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound is likely a term you associate with the highly sought-after ultrasound imaging of your fetus while in utero. Yet ultrasound therapy is a wonderful alternative to physical therapy in Denver.
This treatment uses sound waves to penetrate deeper tissue layers of muscle, relieving pain and promoting recovery. It's gentle and non-invasive, reducing inflammation and improving range of motion.
Ultrasound therapy can ease the discomfort of anyone who suffers from muscle injuries and joint pain, especially those with tendonitis.
In Conclusion,
Denver physical therapy centers utilize various techniques to restore function, improve endurance, and relieve pain. From manual therapy to therapeutic exercises, vestibular therapies, and dry needling, these services improve recovery times and quality of life.
Thus, if you are experiencing painful episodes or reduced range of motion, a professional Denver physical therapy clinic could be your gateway to a more manageable, comfortable, and pain-free life.