Physiotherapy

Ultrasound

It is a therapeutic treatment using high-frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.  Sound vibrations, as fast as a million times per second, penetrate the tissues deep in the body, creating a heat response. These vibrations and heat help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations.

Ultrasound treatment can usually be administered directly to the area of complaint, penetrating deep into the body. The rise in temperature, increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasms, massages damaged tissues, and speeds the healing process.

Interferential Electro-Therapy (Electrical Stimulation)

It is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing.  Tiny amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the vicinity of the injury. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, a low-frequency stimulation is created. This prompts the body to secrete endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain.

Interferential Electro-Therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing the swelling of soft tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a term that describes the application of ice, cold towels, ice massage and compresses to reduce the temperature of tissues directly on or below the surface of the skin. Surface cooling constricts blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms. Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief. Cryotherapy is inexpensive, readily available, and an easy way to reduce local swelling of inflamed tissues. 

Heat Therapy

Rules for using heat therapy: Primarily heat should be used for a chronic condition such as chronic arthritis and stiffness of a joint or chronic circulatory impairment to an injured area due to adhesions obstructing normal blood flow through the tissues. Heat increases the amount of nutrition brought to the region and hastens the removal of waste products and promotes the inflammatory process to speed healing. Heat also relaxes the tissue and acts as a sedative to relieve pain. Heat lamps may be used 18 to 20 inches from the part being treat­ed. Cryogel packs may be placed in hot water or microwave oven till they are heated and then placed in a “moist towel.” Usually the length of time recommended for treatment with heat is 20-30 min­utes. Using constant heat for several hours a night will usually have a detrimental effect to the body.

Intersegemental Traction

This gentle and relaxing procedure helps to improve motion in the spine by directing vertebral traction throughout the spine. This comfortable modality concurrently applies heat and vibratory massage to improve circulation, decrease muscle tension, and promote rejuvenation.

Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine.