Physical therapists use techniques other than stretching and strengthening to help their patients. There is a wide variety of treatment modalities that can help strengthen, relax, and heal muscles.
Let's learn some of the different modalities that can help speed up the healing process:
Cold Packs: Cold packs are a frozen gel substance used by physical therapists to treat areas of pain and inflammation. The cold temperature causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the area. This decreases the inflammation in the area. By decreasing inflammation, pain and swelling are decreased.
Hot Packs: Moist hot packs in several layers of towels are placed on the area that needs treatment. The heat provided by the hot packs has several important benefits. It relaxes tight muscles causing tissues to relax.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound machines utilize high or low frequency sound waves. These sound waves are transmitted to the surrounding tissue and vasculature. They penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming. This promotes tissue relaxation and therefore is useful in treating muscle tightness and spasms.
TENS: TENS units are small battery operated machines that uses electrical transmission to decrease pain. Electrodes are applied to the affected area. The machine is turned on and an electrical current is sent through the electrodes. A tingling sensation is felt in the underlying skin and muscle. This signal disrupts the pain signal that is being sent from the affected area to the surrounding nerves. By breaking this signal, the patient experiences less pain.
