Ice/cold therapy
Cold therapy or cryotherapy is an effective means of reducing inflammation/swelling following an accident or injury. Cold therapy is applied in the form of ice, which will inhibit the firing of the nerve-muscle units and reduce muscle spasms. Cold therapy reduces blood flow and oxygen demands to injured tissue/muscles thus preserving the muscle cells and easing pain in the event of an acute injury. Ice packs are often applied with a compression wrap along with elevation to maximize the reduction of the swelling.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is applied using hot packs layered in towels applied directly to the injured area. The heat provided by the hot packs has several important benefits. It relaxes tight muscles, decreases pain caused by muscle tension or spasms and also causes vasodilatation of the blood vessels which increases circulation to the injured area. Patients with muscle strains, spasms, or arthritis will benefit from this form of treatment.
Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)
Interferential current therapy is a treatment used to relieve pain and to promote soft-tissue healing. Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues of the injured area. These waves intersect below the surface of the skin; the low-frequency stimulation induces the body to secrete endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-killers. Most patients find interferential therapy to be very beneficial and describe the treatment as being relaxing as it reduces pain and inflammation. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond well to interferential current therapy.
Russian Stimulation
Russian Stimulation is a specific form of electrical stimulation with a symmetrical Biphasic Square waveform. It was originally developed by the Russian Olympic team intended for building muscle mass on their athletes. Russian stimulation is now more often used to re-build atrophied muscle mass and reduce edema of injured soft tissue. Russian Stimulation is designed to stimulate motor nerves at a frequency of 2500Hz allowing for deeper muscle penetration and a more complete/stronger contraction of the muscle fibers. This form of stimulation relieves muscle spasms and is beneficial for elderly patients and those suffering from scoliosis.
Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound is a modality utilizing high or low frequency sound waves transmitted to the surrounding soft tissue and vasculature. These sound waves penetrate the injured muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming. Tissue warming promotes tissue relaxation and making it beneficial in the treatment of muscle tightness and spasms. The warming effect of the sound waves also causes vessel vasodilatation increasing circulation to the area that assists in healing of injured soft tissue.
K Laser Beneficial Effects
- Rapid Cell Growth – Laser light accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.
- Faster Wound Healing – Laser light stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
- Increased Metabolic Activity – Higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).
- Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts, scratches, burns or post surgery.
- Anti-Inflammatory Action – Laser light reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give enhanced joint mobility.
- Increased Vascular Activity – Laser light induces temporary vasodilatation increasing blood flow to damaged areas.
- Stimulated Nerve Function – Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead” limbs or numb areas. Laser light speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life.
Spinal Decompression
Modern decompression is a non-surgical therapy option which is used to re-create lost intervertebral space, hopefully eliminating pain and associated neurological symptoms. Decompression works by gently stretching the spine, creating a vacuum effect. The vacuum will draw disc bulges or herniations back into the intended vertebral area reducing irritation of soft tissue surrounding the disc. Oxygen, water, nutrients and some other healing substances are drawn in through this vacuum as well. The final desired result with spinal decompression surgery is a stronger, healthier disc that functions properly.
