What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is the use of a range of treatments that improve the strength and flexibility of your musculoskeletal system. These treatments can be passive, where your provider applies the treatment, as with chiropractic, or active, like carrying out an exercise routine every day.
Using physical therapy techniques helps with healing and strengthens weak or damaged joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Following a program of physical therapy is a proven method of helping patients to heal more quickly and regain function.
Resting an injured part of your body is an important part of the healing process, but too much rest or not enough stretching can make the problem worse in the long run.
How does physical therapy work?
Physical therapies work by helping to keep your soft tissues flexible and strong and rebuilding muscle fibers. Dr. Snowball primarily focuses on muscle and joint oriented therapy for pain in the knees, shoulders, and hips.
If you don’t undergo physical therapy, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments can begin to shorten. As a result, the musculoskeletal structures in your body become weaker. That means they can’t provide the essential framework that healing tissue requires.
Physical therapy helps you to avoid this problem by exercising the damaged tissues in a safe and effective manner that isn’t going to cause any more damage to the injured area.
What types of physical therapy are there?
Many forms of physical therapy are available at Integrated Pain Solutions. Dr. Snowball might deliver direct stimulation to the soft tissues, such as therapeutic ultrasound. She can also show you how to carry out exercises at home that can help the healing process.
Other physical therapy methods are passive, where Dr. Snowball uses advanced technology to administer therapies. Some of the approaches used in physical therapy include:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Massage therapy
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
Dr. Snowball at Integrated Pain Solutions also offers virtual yoga sessions through Zoom. She has expertise in pain management to help you learn to cope with everyday life when you have severe or chronic pain.
Physical therapy is a vital part of the practice’s approach to pain conditions. To learn more about the many positive aspects of physical therapy, call Integrated Pain Solutions today or book an appointment online.
