Physical Therapists in Greeley CO treat injuries and help people heal. They use hard skills learned in the classroom and a variety of treatment approaches to reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.
A strong graduate program will also provide clinical placements that give students real hands-on experience. Look for a program that has a high pass rate on the national licensure exam, like Pacific’s.
Physical Therapy Treatments
Physical therapy is a hands-on treatment that can help patients of all ages. It can reduce pain, improve mobility and prevent the need for surgery or prescription medications.
The first step in physical therapy is a detailed evaluation of your injury and how it affects your daily life. Physical therapists are trained to notice things that others may miss, such as an ineffective movement pattern or tight muscles that create pain when moved.
A physical therapist might use massage, heat, cold or ultrasound to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow. Other modalities might include traction, kinesio taping and gait training. Using a special technique called “medical cupping,” your physical therapist can remove adhesions in the tissue, which can slow healing progress. This is done by placing glass cups on the skin and applying suction. This breaks up the adhesions and promotes circulation, flexibility and mobility in the area treated.
Exercises
Exercise is a key part of any physical therapy plan. Whether it is aerobic or strength training, physical therapy exercises promote healing and improve movement while decreasing pain.
A PT can help you regain mobility and flexibility after an injury or surgery to prevent complications like scarring, muscle tightness and joint misalignment. They can also help you manage chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes by improving your overall circulation and controlling your blood sugar.
In addition to increasing your mobility and preventing complications, regular physical therapy can also teach you healthy habits that will last long after you finish treatment. For example, by practicing proper body mechanics, you may find that you’re more likely to use good posture when sitting or walking at home without even thinking about it. These small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your overall health.
Modalities
Physical Agent Modalities (or PAMs) are treatments that improve the body’s ability to heal by reducing pain, swelling, inflammation and increasing mobility and range of motion. These treatments are used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques such as manual therapy and exercise.
Some examples of modalities include ice, electrical stimulation (TENS), and ultrasound. Ice is commonly used to decrease pain and inflammation, while TENS uses electricity to interfere with pain signals, providing a comforting tingling feeling. Ultrasound is a great treatment for soft tissue injuries, such as ligament sprains or muscle strains. It also provides deep heating that increases circulation and loosens tight muscles.
While the body of evidence supporting modalities is small, they are effective tools for reducing pain to allow the patient to participate in active based rehabilitation. However, modalities are not the answer for all pain relief and they should be used as a supplement to other treatments.
Communication
The communication between physical therapists and patients is a crucial element for treatment success. This has been demonstrated by studies that show a positive interaction during the evaluation process results in superior outcomes.
The third cluster, “relationship’s elaboration”, is supported by the presence of perceptual verbs and could be interpreted as the PTs attempt to elaborate the experiences they have in their working relationship with patients. This entails a deeper consideration of the patients beyond their pathology, highlighting a type of understanding that is cognitive and emotional.
The fourth cluster, “personal action”, suggests a need for psychological support in order to allow PTs to work with patients and overcome their difficulties when dealing with patients. This may imply the need to establish specific collaborations between psychologists and physiotherapists with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Also, periodic multidisciplinary meetings that focus on the psychological dimensions important for establishing a therapeutic relationship between the client and physiotherapist may be beneficial.
