What Is Physical Therapy and What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

 Physical therapy includes treatments that use physical influences such as pressure, tension, heat, cold, or electricity to act on the body. The therapies are intended to relieve pain, promote blood circulation or improve mobility. Physical therapies are usually used as part of physiotherapy by physiotherapists, masseurs, or medical pool attendants.

Common physical therapy methods include, for example, massages, treatments with electricity or ultrasound, baths and inhalations, heat or cold packs. The procedures listed below are examples of commonly used physical treatments.

Massage therapy

During a massage, pressure is exerted on the skin and connective tissue, muscles, and tendons using various grip techniques. This stimulates blood circulation and should relieve tension and adhesions. Massages affect the nervous system, but can also stimulate internal organs.

There are many different forms and methods of massage - from classic massage to Far Eastern massage methods. They work with different techniques or focus on specific areas of the body. For some, aids or additional external treatments are used. For example, with underwater pressure jet massage, you lie in a tub with warm water, and the therapist massages you with a powerful jet of water from a hose.

Traction treatment

This therapy is not treated with pressure, but with tension (traction). By "pulling" on a joint, the synovial fluid can be better distributed. This is said to relieve pain and promote mobility. The treatment is an option for spinal problems or osteoarthritis.

Electrotherapy

In electrotherapy, a weak electrical current is passed through individual parts of the body. For this purpose, electrical contacts (electrodes) are placed on the skin, which transmits the current stimuli.

The currents used are completely harmless and mostly painless. Depending on the procedure, the electrical stimulus can be felt as a slight muscle tremor. The therapy is supposed to relieve pain, promote blood circulation or relieve muscle tension, among other things.

Special procedures that work with so-called stimulation currents are also used in the treatment of symptoms of paralysis. They stimulate the paralyzed or weakened muscles to contract and work independently again so that they do not atrophy.

At Speech Easy Solutions, our physical therapy assistants will diagnose your problem and provide you the most suitable therapy.