What Is Orthopedic Physical Therapy?
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on the treatment or rehabilitation of injuries to the orthopedic system, which includes muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Basically, if you have an issue that affects any muscle or joint in your body there’s a great chance we can help you.
From your head to your feet, if you have pain, stiffness, or weakness orthopedic physical therapy can help you.
Why Orthopedic Physical Therapy?
Western medicine currently treats most orthopedic issues with an approach that focuses on symptoms. Pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and injections are your options with western medicine. While these treatment approaches are needed at certain times and can be effective, they’re not a long-term solution. Primarily because they mask symptoms (pain) opposed to addressing the underlying cause of symptoms.
Surgery is another approach often advocated. Total knee replacements, total hip replacements, and rotator cuff repairs come to mind. These are great surgeries and often result in great outcomes. Following these types of surgeries rehabilitation is required.
Often times though, people are “in between.” They may not be to a point that surgery is required but pain and stiffness still limit their ability to function at the level they desire. This is where orthopedic physical therapy can make a HUGE difference. And where long-term use of pain meds, NSAIDS, and frequent injections may do more harm than good.
Orthopedic physical therapy has the potential to be so effective under these circumstances because a point is made to identify and address the CAUSE of your pain and stiffness. Opposed to just treating the pain and stiffness. There is a major difference between these two approaches. The former results in lasting functional mobility and long-term pain relief. The later may make you feel better for a little while, but who wants to take more and more pills forever just to function?
Some Specific Techniques We Use To Correct the Cause of Your Pain And Stiffness
- Manual Therapy including Spine and Joint mobilization, Neural Tissue Mobilization, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Therapeutic Taping Techniques, Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Therapeutic Exercise including corrective exercise, bodyweight training, weight training, kettlebell training, sport-specific exercise programs, total joint replacement exercise programs, home exercise programs
- Client education including symptom management techniques, posture and body mechanics training, home and workplace modification, preventative and wellness approaches to health through lifestyle choices
If you have an orthopedic condition and want to move better with less pain and stiffness call Permar Physical Therapy Today at 928 589-1172
If you’re not ready to call but NEED relief from pain and stiffness pick up one of our FREE guides…
