What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a form of medical treatment that is designed to relieve pain, increase function of the joints and return you to your normal activities. It is based on the scientific principles of tissue management and exercise prescription. Physical therapists perform a comprehensive analysis of movement and dysfunction, identifying structural or soft tissue pathologies/impairments and muscular imbalances or inefficiencies contributing to your presenting problem.

We use a combination of treatment devices (we call them modalities), skilled manual orthopaedic techniques or procedures [“hands on” therapy] and therapeutic exercise in order to reduce inflammation and relieve or eliminate pain, improve joint mobility and to increase functional muscle strength, thereby restoring the bodies’ optimal mechanical function. Combining the “science of healing and the art of caring” our goal is to help you return to work, return to play or leisure activity and generally regain your lifestyle.

Patients who may be physically hindered by aging, sporting hazards, accidents, disease and other acute injuries can benefit from physical therapy. Treatment services within the physical therapy realm are administered by highly skilled and educated physical therapists who are licensed by the state within which they practice.

Who Needs Physical Therapy?

There are a variety of reasons why a person would seek treatment with a physical therapist. Any injury, disease, illness or age-related ailment can be treated with physical therapy sessions. Many physical impairments or loss of function issues can be helped with the assistance of a physical therapist.

We Provide

Balance and Vestibular Retraining Therapy [BRT & VRT]

The American Academy of Otolaryngology has issued a position statement on the treatment of balance related disorders: “Balance [vestibular] Re-training Therapy is a scientifically based and clinically therapeutic treatment for persistent dizziness and postural instability (static & dynamic imbalance) due to incomplete compensation after peripheral vestibular or central nervous system injury.” In many cases, it is appropriate to perform a computerized functional assessment of your balance capabilities and/or deficiencies, utilizing Computerized Dynamic Posturography [CDP], the same state-of-the-art technology designed for and used by NASA to assess astronauts before and after prolonged space missions. Based on our findings, we develop individualized clinical treatment and home management programs using specialized, evidence-based, treatments and techniques to improve balance, decrease dizziness and prevent falls.

Neurological Physical Therapy

At OrthoBalance, we offer highly effective physical therapy care, treating patients suffering from a wide variety of neurological and movement disorders. The following is a list of diseases and disorders affecting the neurological system that are managed at OrthoBalance PT:

Stroke
Paralysis
Multiple Sclerosis
Spinal Cord Injuries
Parkinson’s Disease
Vision Problems
Balance Problems
Walking Impairments

Geriatric Physical Therapy

The elderly patient can suffer from age-related diseases and disorders that can be treated very effectively at OrthoBalance PT. The following is a list of conditions and disorders treated within this realm:

Joint Replacement (Hip, Knee and Shoulder)
Osteoarthritis and Spinal Stenosis
Osteoporosis
Balance Problems
Gait Walking Problems
Recurrent Falling or Risk of Falling

What to Expect During a Physical Therapy Treatment Session

The type of treatment method used in physical therapy at OrthoBalance PT will depend on a number of factors, including the type of injury or disorder affecting the patient, as well as their age and overall physical health. Many different techniques are used to treat patients, including the following:

Therapeutic Exercise
Thermal Therapeutics [Deep Heating, Cryotherapy (Various Forms of Cold Application)]
Ultrasound, Shortwave Diathermy
Electrical Stimulation and TENS
Computerized Axial Spinal Traction
Manual Therapeutic Techniques and Joint Mobilization
Specialized Massage (Myofascial and Connective Soft Tissue Release, etc.)
Laser or Light Therapy
Neuromuscular and/or Balance Retraining