Physical Therapy has evolved over the years and it is an ideal and essential method of pain management. When dealing with musculoskeletal and neuropathic pains, physiotherapy becomes extremely effective especially with the easy exercises and the regime it offers to the patients. Physical therapy relieves people of the pains and allows them to move safely and freely. Typically, physical therapy will involve:
- Massage of the injured or pain-laden area.
- Tender movements of joints and/or bones
- Using hands or specially designed tools on the tissue
- Usage of cold laser therapy to reduce swelling and lessen pain
- Basic exercise
Various kinds of body parts that physical therapy caters to:
Cervical Spondylitis – This is said to have occurred when there is pain or any other problem in the discs between the neck vertebrae. Don Kelly physiotherapists will help the individual to stretch and strengthen their neck and vertebrae around it thus ensuring that the pain is relieved. Therapists use a method called traction to reduce pain. In this method, the openings in neck and the cervical vertebrae are gently extended. This results in releasing pressure off the discs. They also give exercises to patients which will strengthen the pain area, reduce stiffness and restore smooth functioning of body.
Therapists at Don Kelly will help correct posture of the patients to avoid the pain from re-occurring in future. Through physical therapy, one is able to improve his/ her posture and resume normal daily chores.
Sciatica – The compression of the sciatic nerve (longest nerve from between pelvis to feet) causes sciatica. Sciatica, most commonly occurs due to slipped disc. Buttock or leg pain, burning sensation, weakness, shooting pain causing difficulty in standing are common symptoms of sciatica pain. Besides drug treatment, physical therapy can give a lot of relief to patients. Exercises given mostly focus on lower back and strengthen supporting muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Frozen neck – Frozen or stiff neck is another very common type of pain which can easily be reduced by physical therapy. In this condition, neck movements are hampered. Some patients also report with a little severe condition called wry neck. Wry neck is said to have occurred when the patient will get up in morning with a stiff neck on one side. The individual will not be able to move neck muscles as movements will tend to worsen the pain.
Treatment of stiff neck includes gentle massaging of the neck area. Physiotherapist will apply pressure gently on and around the neck vertebrae to loosen them. This will ensure smooth movements. Heat may also be applied around the neck depending upon the severity of the condition.
