Evaluation Process
Our Physical Therapists are highly educated and skilled clinicians trained to evaluate and diagnosis, utilizing a multitude of research-based manual tests, in order to help determine the origin of your pain or limitation. This process is a concise and comprehensive assessment lasting approximately 1 hour, which fully screens the area that is involved.
With the results of your physical therapy evaluation, your goals in mind, and in conjunction with your physician's medical diagnosis, we can formulate a specific treatment protocol to help you return to sports, work or other daily activities.
We believe that you should fully understand your diagnosis and what the recovery involves. Therefore, along with the evaluation process, we will educate you on your specific diagnosis and explain what self-care techniques and home exercises will be important to maximize your rehabilitation.
**Call one of our offices to schedule an initial physical therapy evaluation today.
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Manual Physical Therapy
What is it
Manual Therapy is the application of hands-on techniques designed to relieve pain, reduce muscle tightness/spasm, and improve range of motion.
It's what we do
Physical Therapists are highly educated and specifically trained in various forms of manual therapy, which is one of the most widely used interventions during a treatment session.
What are the techniques
- Joint mobilizations: gentle stretching of the ligamentous structures of the joints.
- Soft tissue mobilizations: utilized for the purpose of decreasing muscle tightness and spasm (to include: massage, myofascial release, and trigger point release).
- Passive stretching: gentle stretching of muscles to increase flexibility and range of motion.
- Exercise prescription: use of stretches and strengthening exercises to increase strength and stability. Exercises focus on all areas of the body and are tailored to meet each individuals needs.
Education
At PTSMC, we strive to make sure our physical therapists are proficient in all forms of manual therapy, so that we may offer the highest quality of service to our patients. We support our clinicians with numerous educational seminars and clinical in-services, which provide up-to-date training on the latest research and manual techniques.
***Please contact any of our offices if you would like more information regarding our methods of Manual Therapy
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Physical Therapy Modalities
- Moist Heat and Hot Packs
Decreases pain, tightness and muscle spasm by increasing blood flow, relaxing muscle fibers and turning on pain inhibiting mechanisms
- Cold Packs and Ice Packs
Reduces pain, swelling and inflammation by causing vasoconstriction and affecting nerve conduction velocities
- Ultrasound
Production of ultrasonic sound waves that penetrate the skin to reduce pain and inflammation, produce a deep heating effect and assist the healing process
- Electrical Stimulation
Application of a gentle electrical current designed to stimulate muscles and nerves. Can assist with muscle strengthening or re-education in addition to decreasing pain, swelling and muscle spasm
- Iontophoresis
Use of electrical stimulation (direct current) to produce absorption of an anti-inflammatory or pain reliever
- Whirlpool/hydrotherapy
Immersion of a body part in swirling water in order to increase range of motion, decrease pain, or promote wound healing
- Mechanical Traction
Application of a "pulling force" to the spine that results in decompression of the vertebrae that make up the spine. Designed to decrease pain and improve mobility.
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Other Services
Athletic Trainers
PTSMC utilizes athletic trainers to compliment our clinical staff. Our trainers are contracted with local schools and provide their expertise in Sports Medicine when working with student athletes on and off the field. They also play an integral role at our office locations. Involvement with students and their schools allows PTSMC to be an important member and servant of the community.
Orthotics
PTSMC is proud to offer the ability to perform a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the biomechanics of the feet and help determine if you are a good candidate for custom orthotics. The evaluation process is approximately 1 hour and involves precise measurements of both feet, as well as, a video gait analysis. This information is then utilized to create a pair of one-of-a-kind orthotics specific to each individual. Select staff members are certified in this area of foot biomechanics and are ready to perform this service for you.
Back Health
Back injuries are extremely common in today's world. Therefore, PTSMC feels that it is important that we promote education on the prevention of back injuries. We have delivered success through an educational seminar offered at our clinics. Our back health session reviews proper lifting techniques and body mechanics designed to reduce the chances of re-injury or help avoid new injuries. This session will compliment those already receiving care for their back injury. Anyone is permitted to schedule a back health session, not just those with back pain.
Free Injury Assessment
As an additional service to our communities, we offer free assessments. These allow someone who is unsure of whether or not they have an injury to gain information as to what treatments to pursue or if they should seek further medical attention. The assessment process is approximately 20 minutes and is performed by one of our highly educated and licensed Physical Therapists.
Golf Program
Our golf assessment is a comprehensive head to toe evaluation of range of motion and strength and its relationship to the golf swing. The assessment allows us the opportunity to educate the golfer not only on their injury, but the limitations that may be leading to it. Our goal is to improve the performance of golfers of all abilities.
***Please note: A physician's referral may be necessary to begin formal physical therapy, and this assessment should in no way take the place of a medical examination by a doctor.
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