Electronic Health Reporter

Vigorous exercises, sports activities, and prolonged improper posture can sometimes result in bodily pain and injury.  This can be a problem as it can further impede activities and hobbies one likes to do most. So, having a physical therapist may help you address the pain you are suffering. These professionals can help patients deal with the symptoms and origin of the physical pain they are experiencing and assist them throughout the process with various techniques and methods.

If you are experiencing physical pain, you might want to consider going to health and wellness services like the Vaughan physiotherapy services to help you deal with your complications. There are various ways these therapists can manage one’s physical pain, and it all depends on the type of pain the patient is experiencing.

With that, take a look at these five physical therapy and pain management options you can choose from:

• Manual Therapy

This hands-on approach assists in dealing with different types of injury and is a prime method to remove limitations in a patient’s movement. According to Dr. Mike Reinold, a Boston-based physical therapist for a professional U.S. baseball team, this approach is the backbone of any physical treatment plan.

Additionally, some methods in manual therapy involve massage, hands-on strengthening exercise, and stretching to rehabilitate the body to function the way it was before.

• Therapeutic Ultrasound 

This type of physical therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its purpose is to treat fractures and reduce pain by giving deep heat to soft tissues to increase blood flow. This process is performed by moving a device called a ‘transducer’ on the injured area to produce sound waves and heat. 

It is often confused with diagnostic ultrasound used to see the inner parts of the body such as the inner abdomen or a fetus during pregnancy. Moreover, some patients are not advised to use therapeutic ultrasound on specific areas of their bodies due to complications.  

People with the following conditions are discouraged from undergoing ultrasound: 

• Open wounds 
• Have decreased sensation 
• Have an area of acute infection 
• Or if the issue is around the breasts, eyes, or sexual organs 

Overall, with the help of skilled physiotherapists, this therapy may be beneficial for most patients. 

• Heat Therapy

Heat therapy or thermotherapy contains several physical agents that use superficial heat to increase soft tissue extensibility (improved movement after injuries connected to ligaments, muscles, and tendons), reduce pain, improve blood circulation, and expedite healing. The most common approach to applying heat is by first heating packs filled with sand or silica while it’s covered with a towel, then placing them on the injured parts for around 15-20 minutes. 

Heat therapy is one of the best methods of physical therapy as muscular pains respond well to heat.

• Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses a process in which photons enter the tissue and acts on the cytochrome C complex (a highly conserved protein on the range of species found in plants, animals, and other unicellular organisms) within mitochondria.

This method has fewer side effects compared to medications. It may also provide long-lasting pain relief. Patients can expect a minor sensation or a feeling of gentle and soothing warmth while under the process of laser therapy.

• Light Therapy

So, what is light therapy? Light therapy is the process in which light particles are employed to treat various physical pains and issues. This is done by transmitting the light to the skin and into the inner area that has issues such as ligaments and muscles to accelerate recovery.

Various forms of light therapy in the United Kingdom have been developed throughout the years. One of those is LED light therapy. It is the regular form of this therapy, until a few years ago when newer and more efficient light therapy devices were developed and introduced. These new light therapies can treat other issues like skin problems and migraines. One example is blue light therapy that may have a deep effect on issues like sun damage and even cancer.

Conclusion

Some activities in your daily life can somehow result in bodily pain. It can limit your mobility in doing your duties and interests as a person. So, knowing the types of physical therapies available related to a particular issue will reduce the time spent looking for a solution. 

Physical therapy allows us to engage more with our loved ones and friends. It may also improve the quality of life that results in the enjoyment of physical faculties without being hindered by body pains and injuries.