Top Physical Therapy Techniques Used in Aurora, Illinois Clinics
Unless you've never had a sports injury, undergone surgery, or received a medical diagnosis rendering you limited in ability with accompanying pain, you understand what it means to reside in a body that doesn't want to work with you. Moving can be difficult. Thankfully, should anyone wish to return to their pre-pain existence, physical therapy is an option.
Many trained professionals are available to assist everyone, from those experiencing physical pain to those needing rehabilitation and restoration of their prior states, all while reducing pain, increasing strength, and fostering flexibility.
With specific physical therapy techniques, anyone, from a person with chronic back pain due to unfortunate posture to a professional athlete who injured himself through excessive use and overexertion to someone who is unsteady on his feet and requires direction and safety, can upgrade their quality of life.
This article explores the top 8 physical therapy techniques used in Aurora. Kindly read along
Physical Therapy Techniques
Physical therapy clinics in Aurora, IL, use specialized techniques to assist everyone. These techniques focus on pain relief, restoration, and increased function.
Here are some top physical therapy techniques from Aurora, IL.
1. Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is exactly what it sounds like: the therapist uses their hands to promote movement within your muscles and joints. This is one of the most often used techniques done at physical therapy facilities in Aurora, IL, because it creates better movement, increased flexibility, and decreased tension.
Some of the most common types of manual therapy include massage therapy, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization. Massage therapy reduces tension and improves blood flow to inflamed areas. Joint mobilization gently manipulates restricted joints to promote ideal movement. Your physical therapist employs soft tissue mobilization to knead down scar tissue for an improved range of motion.
2. Therapeutic Exercises
A large part of physical therapy involves therapeutic exercise. Aurora, IL, physical therapists develop therapeutic exercises to build muscle, increase flexibility, and prevent future injury.
Therapeutic exercises include range-of-motion, strengthening, and balance/coordination exercises. Range-of-motion exercises involve moving your muscles through various degrees of motion to increase the flexibility of stiff joints.
Strengthening exercises are meant to improve strength in injured muscles. In addition, your physical therapist may provide balance and coordination exercises to strengthen your movement patterns to avoid falling.
Remember, even if you have the same symptoms as others, your rehab plan will be totally different. Understand that the assessment and then exercise, led by your own therapist, will be customized for you and your specific treatment goals.
3. Electrical Stimulation (TENS and EMS)
Electrical stimulation is a low-level electrical current used to promote pain relief. It seems like a big deal, but it's part of regular treatment at a physical therapy clinic in Aurora, IL.
There are two types of electrical stimulation: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). TENS focuses on pain relief, blocking pain signals sent to the brain. EMS, on the other hand, focuses on improving strength. The electrical current contracts muscles to aid recovery and strength.
Electrical stimulation is an ideal treatment for patients with chronic pain and instability or those who have experienced nerve damage.
4. Ultrasound Therapy
Did you know that sound waves can ease pain? Some physical therapy centers in Aurora, IL, utilize ultrasound machines that project low-frequency sound waves to pain sites and injuries. This improves circulation and reduces stiffness in muscles and joints.
Ultrasound therapy is great for patients with tendonitis, arthritis, and other soft tissue injuries.
5. Vestibular Therapy
It's hard to operate when you're out of balance or constantly dizzy. But vestibular therapy, one of the services offered at a physical therapy clinic in Aurora, IL, might help.
The advantages of vestibular therapy include restoring communication between the brain and inner ear to improve balance. The treatment also reduces symptoms like dizziness and unsteadiness. In addition, you will undergo exercises that can restore your strength and confidence in your movements.
People who will benefit from this treatment often have a history of ear issues, infections or atypical vestibular disorders.
6. Dry Needling
Dry needling involves the insertion of a fine needle into taut muscles and trigger points. While acupuncture is similar (as it uses needles and penetrates the skin), acupuncture is more associated with energy meridians and restoring qi (pronounced "chee").
Dry needling reduces tension and muscle spasms. It increases flexibility and proper range of motion. The treatment also reduces pain related to injury or chronic conditions.
Dry needling is usually performed alongside other physical therapy techniques. Your therapist will create a treatment plan to suit your specific condition and treatment goals.
7. Posture and Gait Training
Posture and gait training are offered as a form of therapy at physical therapy clinics in Aurora, because so many people have poor body mechanics and postures that create pain and even injury.
Posture and gait training can help decrease posture-related back and neck pain. The treatment also helps those who have been injured and struggle to walk. During treatment, you will also become more aware of effective body mechanics to prevent re-injury.
Posture and gait training is especially effective for the elderly, post-stroke victims, and anyone who has had any type of invasive surgery.
8. Aquatic Therapy
Water can be a wonderful healing tool. For instance, during aquatic therapy, people learn specific movements in an underwater environment.
Some of the benefits of this treatment include reduced pressure on the joints and muscles. This promotes easier movements. Also, because water softly supports the body, people can do more without overdoing it.
Aquatic therapy is great for individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, and post-surgical pain.
Conclusion
From manual therapy to electrical stimulation to therapeutic exercises and even aquatic therapy, many physical therapy treatments are offered that help you relearn strength and movement and facilitate recovery from injury, surgery, or ongoing pain.
To continue your healing, contact a physical therapy clinic in Aurora, IL. An expert physical therapist will evaluate you and design a tailored approach.