Treatment Modalities
This is a deep heating treatment commonly utilized in many musculoskeletal conditions like sprains, strains, or tendonitis. Ultrasound is administered by your physical therapist using an ultrasound machine. A wand called a sound head is pressed gently against your skin and moved in small circular sweeps near the site of injury. A small amount of gel is used so the ultrasound waves are absorbed into the skin and muscles.
Vasopneumatic machines are designed to pump cold water into an inflatable wrap or brace, compressing the enveloped area of the body. This form of treatment is common among physical therapy practices, and has been proven effective in reducing swelling in the applied area. At Step Up, we utilize The Game Ready Ice Machine uniquely integrates proven cold and compression therapies in a dual-action treatment system. Game Ready Pro 2.1 goes beyond the standard static cold and compression applications helping the body aid lymphatic function, encouraging cellular oxygen supply, and stimulating tissue repair. By giving your you the upper hand against swelling and pain, Game Ready effectively enhances the body’s natural repair mechanisms which can help reduce opioid consumption, decrease pain and swelling, and increase post-op range of motion.
This modality is occasionally used in physical therapy to help decrease pain around injured tissue. There are two theories about how the stimulation works: the gate theory and the opiate theory.
Other forms of electrical stimulation may be used to contract muscles. This is called neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and is used to help your injured muscles “relearn” how to function properly.
Traction therapy treatment is used for low back pain and neck pain to help decrease pain and improve mobility in the spine. Traction helps to separate the joints and disc spaces in the low back or neck, which in turn helps to decrease pressure on spinal nerves.
This a hand-on treatment performed by your physical therapist passively moves the joints of your body in specific directions. This can help to decrease pain and improve mobility.
This is hand on treatment performed by your therapist to knead the injured tissues of your body to help decrease pain, improve circulation, and decrease muscle tension.
This is commonly delivered by hot packs that may be applied to your body if you have an injury. The heat helps to increase circulation to the injured tissues, relax the muscles, and provide pain relief.
This is commonly used after an injury. cold packs or ice may be applied to your body to help decrease pain and control inflammation. Ice is usually used during the acute or initial phase of injury to limit localized swelling around tissues.
This treatment utilizes a form of electrical stimulation that is used to deliver medication across the skin to inflamed or injured tissues. Most often, a steroid like dexamethasone is used in the treatment of inflammation. This steroid can help decrease pain and swelling of tissues that occurs when they are inflamed.