Therapy as unique as your needs
MANUAL THERAPY
Manual physical therapy is a specialized, skilled form of movements delivered with the hands (as opposed to a device or machine) to put pressure on soft tissues and realign joints in an attempt to decrease pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension and joint dysfunction. Physical Therapists can move joints and soft tissue using varying techniques and speeds. This type of passive movement can range from slow rhythmic movements, all the way to fast movements that may cause an audible pop.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues by applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.
Every system of the body is affected by massage, either directly or indirectly. Massage movements relax and stretch muscles, reducing muscular tension and cramps while making muscles more flexible by reducing muscle tone. Improved circulation of blood brings oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. Joint stiffness and pain can be reduced, and the improved flow of blood can help poor circulation. Massage also affects the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and enhances tissue healing.
ELECTROTHERAPY
In electrotherapy, electrical current passes from pads through the skin to provide nerve and muscle stimulation. It often provides immediate improvement as evidenced by reduced pain, diminished swelling, and improved mobility. Due to its waveform, the electrical current is able to penetrate deep within the tissues being treated. Patients usually feel only a pleasant, mild “pins and needles” tingling, and a gentle sensation of pressure.
Electrotherapy can be used to relieve pain following strain or sprain injuries, to relax spasms and reduce swelling and pain in many back and neck problems, as well as for such conditions as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and knee injuries and persistent, post-surgical pain. Electrotherapy treatment may be used to help prevent or retard tissue atrophy when a limb is in a cast or immobilized, to help increase local blood circulation, or to help build strength in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Electrotherapy often reduces swelling and accelerates the healing process, and is useful in restoring normal freedom and range of motion in those who experience stiffness or limitation of movement.
LASER LIGHT
The use of light at a specific wavelength helps improve the healing process of injured tissue. Photons of light carry energy, and this energy, when applied to injured tissues, can help improve cellular processes and speed healing or decrease pain. Laser or light therapy can be used in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, or wound healing.
The treatment is painless, involving holding the light emitting wand directly over your injured body part, and usually lasts one to three minutes.
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound utilizes high or low frequency sound waves that are transmitted through the skin and penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming and vibration to promote tissue repair and deep penetrating massage without causing strain. Ultrasound helps in enhancing the metabolic activities of cells thus promoting tissue relaxation for treating muscle tightness and spasms, as well as vessel vasodilation and increased circulation to promote healing. The physical therapist can adjust the frequency on the machine to use waves that will decrease inflammation.
Conditions which ultrasound may be used for treatment include the following: Osteoarthritis, scar tissue adhesion, deep penetrating micro-tissue massage, impingement syndrome, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendonitis, joint inflammation, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, facet irritation.
HOT & COLD PACKS
Hot Packs are applied to an area that needs treatment to relax tight muscles and tissues (thereby decreasing pain caused by muscle tension or spasms), and to cause vasodilatation of the blood vessels which increases circulation to the area. Patients with muscle strains, spasms, or arthritis often benefit from treatment with moist hot packs.
Cold Packs are applied to areas of pain and inflammation to cause vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the area, thereby decreasing the inflammation in the area and the pain and swelling caused by the inflammation.
EXERCISES
Functional exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements that you might do at home, at work, or while participating in sports, while also emphasizing core stability. For example, a squat to bicep curl is a functional exercise because it trains the muscles used when you lift a laundry basket, laptop bag or young child from the floor. By training your muscles to work the way they do in everyday tasks, you prepare your body to perform well in a variety of common situations.
Therapeutic Exercises involve planned physical movements, postures or activities intended to enable the patient to remediate or prevent impairments, enhance function, reduce risk and optimize overall health through increased flexibility, balance, strength and endurance.
PACKAGES
We can customize a session plan according to your needs. Talk to Dr. Carlos, PT, DPT directly to structure a plan that works for your healing process.
A personal aproach to healing
At my core, I am a coach and am dedicated to personal growth. Physical therapy is an interesting, challenging and interpersonal puzzle. With each client there is discovery. Someone may come to me with back pain, but what I see is the ability to give back the life lost from the pain. When I look in a client’s eyes and see the excitement and possibility, I know I am where I’m supposed to be and doing what I’m supposed to do.
-Dr. Carlos Loyola, PT, DPT.