4 Common Physical Therapy Treatments
After a particularly stressful and straining muscle injury, your physician will most likely recommend that you complete several weeks worth of physical therapy. The vast array of treatments there can serve to reinvigorate your muscles and joints. Throughout the course of this brief article, you will learn about some of the most common forms of physical therapy treatment.
Water Aerobics
Water aerobics are primarily used on patients that should not have any undue stress or impact placed upon their muscles. By performing aerobics in the water, you will have full mobility of your body, but will not have to worry about any stress placed upon it. Water aerobics are quite effective for those patients that are dealing with issues related to their joints.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is an important facet of manual therapy. The two primary types of massage are deep and soft tissue. The former aims to reach muscles that are closer to the bone, and are great for reinvigorating one's joints, while the latter reaches surface muscles, and can be relaxing and alleviate any muscle related pain. Although massage therapy is largely conducted by physical therapists who are licensed professionals, many will show you ways in which you can perform light, rudimentary massages on yourself at home, most of which are of the soft tissue variety.
Stretching
Stretching is often times thought of as the foundation of physical therapy. Stretching is a simple exercise, of course, but it serves to stretch and strengthen your muscles, which are great for those who have suffered from muscle atrophy for one reason or another, although this is usually attributed to wearing a case for an ample amount of time. Among the stretching exercises that physical therapists usually impart onto their patients range from simple hip twists to some very complex yoga poses that can give you a full body workout.
Mobilization Therapy
Mobilization therapy involves your physical therapist showing you how to slowly and deliberately move your muscles so that you are maximizing how efficiently they are used. These slow and slight movements are often used on those who have suffered from muscle atrophy.
Physical therapy (such as is provided by Eastern Shore Physical Therapy) can strengthen your core muscles and bring you back to the strength that you once enjoyed; perhaps even stronger! Hopefully, you have learned a bit about just a few of the treatments that are commonly employed during physical therapy. If you have suffered from a significant muscle sprain, strain, or tear, speak to your trusted physician about whether or not physical therapy would benefit you.