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Description
Physical Therapy is:
• The correction and alleviation of movement disorders that cause pain or hinder movement
• The determination of a person's potential capacity for effective body movement
• The prevention of potential movement problems
• The prevention of unnecessary deterioration of movement or loss of function
• The maintenance of improved levels of movement
Components of Physical Therapy
Evaluation
A licensed physical therapist gives each patient a thorough assessment in order to determine the patient’s initial treatment needs.
Modalities
Resources such as cold packs, hot packs, massage, ultrasound with electrical stimulation, mechanical traction and anodyne therapy are often used to control pain, reduce swelling and relieve muscle tension.
Exercise
Patients learn how to perform exercises that will improve muscle and joint flexibility, posture, strength and endurance.
Manual Therapy
Therapists may perform specific joint and soft tissue mobilization and stabilization techniques such as the McKenzie Method. At PTSC, high-tech equipment like MedX, SwimEx, and Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment are also used to achieve maximum therapeutic affects.
Self-Care
Each patient is given self-care instructions that include techniques for pain control, lifting and moving, wound care guidelines and activity level recommendations.
Home Exercise Program
Each patient is required to perform specific exercises on their own time. After a patient has been discharged from PTSC, he or she may continue to use the Gym for just $15 per month.
The McKenzie Method is a specific manual diagnosis and treatment protocol developed for treating problems of the spine, with emphasis on patient self-treatment. PTSC is one of only 6 certified McKenzie clinics in the USA and 14 worldwide. PTSC has a diplomaed McKenzie therapist and a certified McKenzie therapist on staff.
The McKenzie protocol was initially developed by Robin McKenzie, P.T., who has been in private physical therapy practice in Wellington, New Zealand, since 1953. Click here to visit the official McKenzie Institute website.
Benefits of the McKenzie Method
Assessment
A McKenzie assessment performed by a McKenzie-trained clinician can eliminate the need for expensive and/or invasive testing procedures. The comprehensive and logical assessment process can be used to evaluate a patient’s spinal problem quickly in order to determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment
The McKenzie treatment program consists of a series of individualized exercises. The emphasis is on active patient involvement, with a certified McKenzie clinician providing advanced hands-on techniques until the patient can self-administer.
Prevention
The McKenzie Method also incorporates a strong preventive strategy by teaching patients how to minimize the risk of recurrence and how to deal with new problems quickly.
Conditions Treated
At PTSC, our licensed physical therapists treat patients with spine and extremity injuries, degenerative diseases, fractures and burns, and many other general rehabilitative conditions that may result from accidents, falls, work-related injuries or surgery.
Here’s a list of conditions that can benefit from physical therapy:
| ACL tears Arthritis Back pain Burns Bursitis Cerebral Palsy Developmental Delay Fibromyalgia Head injuries Muscle weakness Muscular dystrophy Multiple sclerosis  |
Myofascial pain Neck pain Parkinson’s Disease Rehab after joint replacement surgeries Rotator cuff injuries Scoliosis Spasticity Sprains, strains Strokes Tendonitis Walking/standing problems |
A Note on Back Pain
One of the most common conditions we treat at PTSC is back pain. Our therapists are specialists at pinpointing the cause of back pain; taking immediate measures to reduce the pain; and teaching patients how to prevent its return. Learn what former patients have to say about our high tech spine testing and strengthening machine, MedX. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic or occasional back pain, ask your doctor for a referral to Physical Therapy Specialists for an evaluation today!
How can Physical Therapy help?
Degenerative Diseases and Conditions
Physical therapy can help maintain a patient’s current level of functioning in the presence of degenerative diseases of the circulatory system and rheumatic conditions affecting joints and locomotion.
Fractures and Injuries
Physical therapy is an important treatment component following fractures, muscle injuries and nerve injuries. Physical therapy performed soon after these conditions occur can significantly improve a patient’s long-term functioning.
Rehabilitation Treatment
When used in conjunction with occupational therapy and speech therapy, physical therapy is a valuable component of total rehabilitation, the program of treatment that strives to restore the injured or ailing individual to his maximum efficiency in society.
©2003 www.ptsconline.com.
All information and pictures (unless otherwise indicated) are property of PTSC and may not be used without permission.
Physical therapy treatment requires a referral from a licensed physician or a physicians assistant. Visit your healthcare provider today if you think you could benefit from physical therapy.
Attend a Back Pain Prevention Class at PTSC
