Heat is usually used for subacute and chronic conditions, can reduce pain and muscle spasm, relax skeletal muscles, and decrease joint stiffness. Cold is used to treat acute inflammation and edema, pain, arthritis, bursitis, muscle strain and ligament sprain, muscle spasm, and myofascial trigger points.
Alternating of heat therapy and cold therapy in order to decrease pain, decrease swelling, control inflammation, and improve mobility.
A form of heat commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, contractures, and chronic inflammation.
Ultrasound is the most commonly used deep heating agent. The ultrasound machine converts electrical energy into acoustic energy. The physiologic effects of ultrasound can be divided into thermal and non-thermal effects. Continued ultrasound provides mainly thermal effects while pulsed US emphasizes non-thermal effects. Ultrasound is widely used in the treatment of various soft tissue disorders including bursitis, tendinitis, degenerative arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, contractures, and promotes wound healing.
Electrical Stimulation uses electricity to stimulate nerve or muscle via electrodes. It can be used to decrease pain, increase blood flow or stimulate muscle activation depending on the type of electrotherapy used. Indications for the use of electrical stimulation are acute and chronic pain, neuromuscular disease, joint effusion and edema, and disuse muscle atrophy.
Common types of electrotherapy used at Chappell Physical Therapy are:
Patient education is an important part of the rehabilitation process. Below are a list of the common types of education provided at Chappell Physical Therapy:
Kinesio-Taping is a rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It can also provide extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio-Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. By targeting different receptors within the somatosensory system, Kinesio-Tape alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation of the affected areas.
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