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Many Patients Find The Physical Therapy Pittsburgh Professionals Offer Highly Beneficial

By Megan Landry


The physical therapy Pittsburgh practitioners perform can help patients with a vast array of disorders. Treatments of this type are specifically designed for individuals who are suffering from injuries or medical disorders that cause pain. In addition, certain illnesses and injuries can impede natural movement and interfere with one's normal range of motion. The following are some of the treatments in which a person may participate:

Many practitioners choose to perform traditional therapy. The latter simply refers to the fact that the therapist manually performs the treatment, rather than relying on the use of equipment such as machines to generate therapeutic results. These techniques include massage, mobilization, and manipulation. The practitioner may even reposition muscles and joints so that the client will feel less pain and discomfort upon performing daily activities or moving.

Ultrasound treatments are often performed on such patients as well. Ultrasounds are typically used at the beginning of one's treatment sessions, and can help injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments to repair and strengthen themselves. This, in turn, will help the patient to become active in a shorter amount of time than if ultrasound were not part of his or her treatment plan. The devices used for such therapy send high-frequency sound waves that contain heat into the patient's muscles. This can help stop spasms, as well as reduce pain and inflammation.

Certain therapists also recommend hydrotherapy for individuals suffering from disorders that cause pain. This type of physical rehabilitation is performed in water, and the anti-gravity effect with which it is associated is often beneficial to the patient's joints and muscles. It can reduce stiffness and lessen the severity and frequency of muscle cramps.

One's plan of treatment may also include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This therapy is performed by something referred to as a TENS machine, which transmits mild electric impulses into the persons ligament's, muscles, or tendons. Such machines are usually quite helpful with regard to interfering with pain signals, and therefore lessening the patient's discomfort.

Physical therapy may be sought for a variety of reasons. A person may be experiencing symptoms from multiple sclerosis, lupus, or Parkinson's disease. He or she may have also been the victim of a work related injury, and physical therapy is recommended as part of his or her plan of recovery. When other options have been exhausted, but satisfactory results have not yet been achieved, one's family doctor may refer him or her to such a therapist.

It is important to carefully select a practitioner. In the majority of instances, a person's family physician can suggest a suitable professional from whom treatment can be received. However, the background of any practitioner from whom one will be receiving treatment on a regular basis should be thoroughly researched.

It is important to closely follow the physical therapy Pittsburgh physicians recommend so that each session provides optimal results. In addition, unless instructed to do so by the therapist or one's family physician, it is not a good idea to discontinue the sessions. Those experiencing loss of movement or chronic pain should speak to a medical professional about the possibility of seeking such treatment.




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