Introducing Physical Therapy
At Churchill Physical Health Center, we have expanded to include the services of a LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST. This means you now have access to many more treatment options that are covered by your insurance.
Physical therapy is an important option for most back pain sufferers. A physical therapist is trained to carry out your doctor's orders to stretch, strengthen, and exercise your back in a safe and effective way. It is important that physical therapy is coupled with education, so that patients can be empowered to take charge of their own recovery.
Physical therapists are trained to give instruction on posture, basic anatomy and physiology, and in body mechanics, stretching, strengthening and conditioning.The physical therapist also works with the physician to determine if other types of treatments such asultrasound, heat, diathermy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, massage or spinal manipulation may be indicated.
What should you expect from a visit to the physical therapist?
The physical therapist will do an evaluation to determine if there are any joint limitations or muscle weakness. He or she will also work to pinpoint the pain distribution in your back. Heat therapy and massage, as well as ultrasound may be used to ease back pain.
In the past these types of treatments, which demanded little from the patient, and soothed the pain were the mainstay of physical therapy treatment. Unfortunately, while these "modalities," feel good at the time, the pain relief produced by massage and ultrasound treatments is often only temporary.
More recently physical therapists have demanded physical activity from their patients, which may cause minor pain at the beginning of the course of treatment, but has longer lasting therapeutic effects; strengthening the back and relieving pain in the long run. Physical therapists that treat patients with movement and exercise for strength and conditioning, encouraging a gradual increase in activity, are usually the most successful.
The initial treatment begins with passive modalities such as ultrasound, back school, and spinal rehabilitation classes. The second phase focuses on exercises for flexibility strength and conditioning and muscle endurance training. Our physicians will design a physical therapy program specific for your injury, and incorporate the treatment with other nonoperative measures such as injections or medications if required.
Your therapy may include:
- Modalities, such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation
- Exercise programs for spine strengthening and flexibility
- Spine stabilization programs with the therapist
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