By William Kelly


Physical therapy is treatment that is recommended when one experiences health problems that make it hard to move around and perform tasks they need to be doing. It comes in handy in enhancement of motion and relief of pain besides the fact that it ensures restoration of fitness levels and physical functions. In consideration of physical therapy Cambridge MA residents can benefit from some useful information.

It helps in recovery after one undergoes certain types of surgery. Doctors recommend this therapy for either injuries or long-term health issues like arthritis. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other modes of treatment. Therapists examine patients to be able to know what the cause of the problems are. This assists them to have a treatment plan. The main aim is to ensure joints move in a better way and also restore strength. The treatment also improves coordination, flexibility and endurance.

There are different forms of these therapies. Among the commonest is exercising. Exercise is controlled physical stress applied to the body to assist in improving motion range, strength and flexibility. Exercises are classified as active or passive. The passive exercises are those in which you are required to relax as the therapist applies stress. One example is hamstring stress in which you lift your leg so that muscles are elongated on the bag of thighs.

With the active exercises, they are performed under power of the person. Some of these exercises include straight leg raising, hip strengthening and walking on treadmills. There are home programs that are very effective and are recommended to be done by the individual. They come in handy for those who want to get back to normal functioning of the body fast. Exercising is is probably the most used form of physical therapy.

On certain occasions, electric stimulation is used in reducing the pain around muscles and tissues. Two theories are used in explanation of the way electric stimulation works. These are the gate theory and opiate theory. There are other stimulation forms used in contraction of muscles. This is normally used to help injured muscles learn how to get back to normal functioning.

Traction is used to treat neck pain and lower back pain. This in essence will help in enhancing how easily the spine moves. To utilized lumbar traction technique, the individual is strapped into a mechanical machine. A vest is used in supporting of ribs. Theoretically, traction is used for separating joints and disk spaces that are at the lower neck and also back. This will minimize nerve pressure at the spine.

There is also use of light or laser therapy. Light therapies usually involve using light which is at specific wavelengths that help to improve healing of tissues that had injuries. The treatment is painless and lasts for three minutes maximum. Therapists will hold light emitting wands over the injured parts and then press a button that activate the light.

There is the option of using massage. This will involve use of the hands to knead tissues that are injured with the aim of improving circulation. This leads to decrease of muscle tension.




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