Physical Therapy in Glen Cove

Physical Therapy modality helps decrease pain, treat tightness, spasms, and stimulate blood flow to assist with the healing process. The types of treatments received is usually hot/cold packs, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, electrical stimulation, and iontophoresis.  Next time you’re at the PT getting treatment, don’t be surprised when they use one more of of these modalities:

• Applying Hot/Cold Packs

1.       Applying a hot pack with a heated towel wrapped around the hot pack helps decrease tension or spasms and increases blood circulation which assist in the healing process.
2.       Applying a cold pack with a damped towel causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels which helps decrease inflammation and also swelling.

• Ultrasound

1.       Transmits sound waves to tissue which penetrates the muscle causing deep tissue/muscle warming. Thus relaxing the muscles and allowing treatment of any tightness and spasms.
2.       Increases the circulation of the blood within that area to assist with healing.

• TENS

1.       Also known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used to decrease pain by using electrical transmission signals to disrupt the signal from the pain being sent from the affected area and nerves.

• Electrical Stimulation

1.       Is known to deliver electrodes on the skin in different locations to produce muscle stimulation. The settings can be changed by the physical therapist to be forceful or gentle.
2.       Helps improve the contraction of affective muscle and cause the muscle to contact. Improves muscle strength, promotes blood supply to the area to help with healing.

• Iontophoresis

1.       Are electric currents that allow medication to penetrate to the affected muscles.
2.       Helps treat inflammation.

With these treatments it is also suggest that daily exercise and stretching be done without over extension. Also, heat stimulation at home is suggested. For further understanding or if physical rehab is needed please contact Island Sports Physical Therapy at 631-462-9595 or visit our website at www.islandsportspt.com and make an appointment at any of our six convenient locations on Long Island.