Physical Therapy Specialist

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a discipline that uses active and passive techniques to strengthen areas of the musculoskeletal system that are injured, weakened, or otherwise damaged.

The aim at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is to restore function and reduce pain for patients as effectively as possible and improve their quality of life.

What types of physical therapy are there?

There are many different kinds of physical therapy, including:

Therapeutic exercise

An exercise program that aims to leave you feeling healthier and stronger, incorporating a wide range of activities that help you regain or maintain your strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, and stability. Therapeutic exercises include:

• Active, passive or assisted stretching activities
• Resistance and endurance exercises
• Posture exercises
• Balance and coordination exercises

Your therapist can also prescribe exercises that target specific functions, e.g. breathing or circulation.

Massage therapy

Physical therapists use massage therapy to apply a wide range of manual techniques that target specific tissues in your body. Benefits of therapeutic massage include:

• Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Accelerated healing
• Reduced swelling and inflammation
• Improved range of motion
• Reduced pain
• Decreased adhesions and scar tissue formation
• Reduction in stress
• Improved mood

Therapeutic massage is effective in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, such as fibromyalgia, back and neck pain, arthritis, migraines, diabetic nerve pain, acute injuries, anxiety, and depression.

Myofascial release

Myofascial release, also known as trigger point therapy or pressure point massage, involves the application of pressure to specific areas called pressure or trigger points.

This pressure helps to relax and normalize the fascia, fibrous tissues that encase your musculoskeletal structures, which can stiffen and cause pain and immobility.

Electrical stimulation

Electrical stimulation uses safe, painless electrical currents to stimulate muscles via electrodes placed on your skin.

Kinesio Taping® Method

The Kinesio Taping® Method uses aspects of acupressure and strategic physical therapy by placing elastic therapeutic tape around problematic areas.

The tape exudes a pulling force, allowing for free range of motion while still providing a therapeutic pressure. It’s particularly helpful for:

• Back sprains and strains
• Neck aches
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee pain
• Sports injuries

Your physical therapist applies the tape so that it follows muscle movement as you go through your day, effectively improving healing and reducing pain.

Cupping therapy

Cupping involves placing several cups over strategic points on the body to create suction, which redirects circulation and allows blood and other fluids to flow to injured tissues.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is any form of hands-on treatment that is designed to help a part of the body function better. Your physical therapist uses a variety of manual therapy techniques, including:

• Joint mobilization
• Strain-counterstrain
• Soft tissue mobilization
• High velocity, low amplitude thrusting
• Muscle energy techniques

Physical therapy is invaluable in rehabilitating patients with musculoskeletal problems, targeting the source of pain and loss of function instead of masking symptoms with medication.

Find out more by calling Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy today, or book an appointment online.