History: The therapists will ask: How did
you hurt yourself, When did the pain first appear? What makes the pain worse/better? Have
you had this type of pain before? What were you doing just before you felt pain?
What does your daily routine involve? etc.)
Physical exam: You will be asked to do certain
movements to determine what movements increase your pain, Your posture - how you sit &
stand - will be evaluated, Your muscles will be palpated (massaged) to look for painful
"knots" or spasm (increased tension), The mobility and quality of the motion of
your joints will be checked, Your may have your reflexes tested, etc.
Physical therapy treatments will vary depending on the
condition.
A complete treatment will include a few basic elements:
Pain reduction may include use of heat, ice, massage,
relaxation, stretches, joint mobilization and other modalities including ultrasound &
electric stimulation.
*A home program may start out as simple as a list
of things to avoid. This should increase gradually as you progress to include
exercises, stretches and some type of simple first aid. The goal is for you to gain
control over the symptoms as you gradually eliminate the cause of the problem. * This is
where physical therapy differs from traditional chiropractic care.
Prevention training including:
discussing risk factors for your specific condition.
exercises to increase strength and flexibility.
training in how to sit, stand, bend, move, return to sports, etc.
without re-injuring yourself.
Suggestions for basic equipment including chairs, lumbar supports, wrist
rests, etc. Depending on the person and the condition this may require purchasing a
few items. Many "lumbar supports" can be made from simple items in the
home such as pillows, towels, blankets. ( Your jacket can work as a lumbar support if
you are out and you run into an unfriendly chair.)
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