For many people the term “physical therapy” can have a number of interpretations ranging from therapy connected with injuries caused by accidents and sporting mishaps, to musculoskeletal problems and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is useful to clear up some of the misconceptions about physical therapy and outline the key aspects of the treatment in more detail. In this article we will examine the wide range of treatments available and the reasons for choosing this kind of therapy. Physical therapy Cork entails a detailed assessment that guides the subsequent steps of treatment and rehabilitation. These physical therapy techniques will include hands on mobilisation and manipulation of parts of the body to enhance mobility, lessen pain and improve strength with the objective of enabling an individual to attain optimal fitness levels.
In some instances physical therapy is connected with an illness or injury, but in other cases it can be used as a mechanism for a health program that will be conducive to a better quality of life with increased energy levels. By developing a bespoke evaluation of an individual’s needs, such as those created by APC physical therapy Cork, it is possible to create a plan that is ideally suited to a person’s level of fitness, lifestyle and longer term health goals. Perfecting this plan can often be a catalyst towards ensuring that these goals can be achieved and maintained in the future.
In making an assessment, physical therapists will take into account all aspects of a client’s medical history, health and any other circumstances that need to be considered. Where necessary, physical therapists will confer with doctors, specialist consultants, surgeons or other healthcare professionals to take into account all factors with respect to an individual’s health in order to determine the best plan of action. APC physical therapy clinic has built up a reputation with local and national professionals (such as orthopaedic surgeons , pain specialists, neurologists, and rheumatologists) over the last 12 years in practice.
The breadth of physical therapy treatments is much more extensive than many people realise. Along with the more commonly understood applications there are a range of everyday problems and pains that can be improved with a good physical therapy plan.
Sports Rehab and Physical Therapy
The main goal of sports rehab and physical therapy is to return individuals to functional lives and activities. This is achieved by customising a program of activity that is specifically geared towards a patient’s particular needs. Physical therapy Cork recognises the unique and complex treatment requirements of every individual, and they aim to assist in movement therapy, prevent further pain and injury while maintaining overall health.
As well as sports injuries, many clients choose physical therapy as a means of acquiring an analytic review of their sports performance levels. With a tailored series of tests that in turn guide targeted treatment techniques and corrective exercises physical therapy will strengthen and improve performance. Physical therapy can be used longer term to maintain a high degree of physical fitness, correct any imbalances, areas of weakness and correct any compensations that may lead to injury in the future.
Specialised therapists at APC physical therapy Cork not only target specific structures that require more attention, but they also use a holistic approach which entails treating the body as a whole and dynamic unit. The end goal is not only to enable clients to return to their normal activities but also to identify, correct and understand the details (what to do / what to avoid) about their particular predispositions to injury.
Neuromuscular Physical Therapy
Many people come to APC physical therapy Cork to support treatment of neuromuscular conditions. Experienced physical therapists will undertake a thorough evaluation to review muscular, neurological (balance & coordination) , skeletal and other systems to address any health concerns and look at the most effective treatments.
This kind of physical therapy can reduce symptoms such as muscle spasms and contractions whilst simultaneously addressing postural and structural abnormalities. A physical therapist may locate and help to release areas of tissue spasm and will also find and eliminate trigger points that may cause pain or loss of strength and will work to restore flexibility and alignment. The primary goal of this type of physical therapy is to rebuild tissue strength that has been affected by neuromuscular injuries or disease and to restore function and optimal health . Typical injuries include accidents, sports injuries and pain caused by, lower back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, fractures and head and spinal injuries and conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Osteoporosis although this list is by no means exhaustive.
Ultimately this treatment allows the assessment, detailed detection and correction of poor movement patterns and pain that are associated with neuromuscular injuries and diseases, and this may be through the application of physical therapies as well as exercises and assistive devices in some cases.
Motion Physical Therapy
Through a combination of skills, knowledge and experience, our therapists are able to help restore a high level of performance. Treatments are honed using a combination of technology and renowned techniques to ensure rapid healing and optimal movement for patients.
This kind of physical therapy has a broad application, and can be utilised for those who have sports or other injuries, or to enable a high level of performance to be developed and maintained. However, there are a whole range of treatments that may be suitable depending on the patient, such as hydrotherapy which has a broad rehab potential including the treatment of severe injuries and chronic conditions. Sports therapy in this category of physical therapy is also used to facilitate performance at the highest level of competition.
Other examples of the uses of motion physical therapy are to treat conditions such as scoliosis, and other applications can be for ailments ranging from pelvic pain to urinary incontinence or other issues that can develop as a result of age, illness or everyday lifestyle.
With state of the art equipment and highly trained therapists, the cutting edge techniques used have been refined to a high level which can heal, strengthen and restore functionality to the highest possible degree, whether the problem is a specific medical issue or is a degenerative impact of daily living and associated activities.
Physical Therapy for Calf Tear
Some types of injury, such as a calf tear, need very specific physical therapy treatments, and physical therapy Cork can assist in developing a detailed treatment plan that can reduce pain, restore muscle strength and flexibility and decrease recovery time. In a calf tear, which could involve a severe or complete muscle tear, this can sometimes be clearly heard and felt at the time of the injury. There is very noticeable bruising, and in some cases the muscle tear can be detected beneath the skin. In this scenario weight bearing is extremely difficult and painful and recovery will take longer.
Most calf tears and strains respond well to physical therapy, however, in rare cases a surgical intervention may be considered necessary. Typical symptoms of a calf tear include hearing a popping sound at the time of injury and throbbing or stabbing pain, a feeling of weakness or tightness in the calf area and restricted mobility when walking.
Physical therapists can help with this kind of injury from the outset and will examine the area and ask a series of questions to determine the extent of the damage. They will perform diagnostic tests that will assess mobility, strength, signs of bruising and swelling, and they will palpate parts of the muscle to find the exact location of the tear as well as assessing gait to establish weight bearing capabilities. In severe cases the physical therapist may confer with other health professionals to ensure that a treatment plan is put in place that aids recovery. In the early stages, this may include home exercises and initial steps to take in the first 24-72 hours such as use of ice packs, compression, elevation and a combination of rest and modified weight bearing where this can be tolerated.
Professional Physical Therapy
Whatever your reasons for undertaking physical therapy, a treatment program takes the guesswork out of recovery from an injury or ailment and leads to optimization of your physical performance for everyday life, or for sporting and athletic pursuits.
Using highly developed techniques, a physical therapist will enable you to take control of your health without resorting to medication which most people prefer to avoid. By getting to the heart of the problem a precise treatment plan can be developed that will assist in overcoming the health problem, or enhancing your sports ability to the highest level of physical performance.
In fact, physical therapists can deal with pain and dysfunction in practically any area of the body whether that is neck or back pain, shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand pain, or other dysfunction such as that of hips, knees, ankles or feet. Therefore, if you have persistent pain that may be eased by physical therapy treatments it is worth getting in touch with an experienced practitioner at physical therapy Cork who will be able to guide you through the steps necessary to assess if a particular kind of therapy would be beneficial.
By choosing a professional to work with at physical therapy Cork, you will be taking your health into your own hands to enable recovery, health and wellbeing for the future. Friendly and supportive physical therapists are on hand for preliminary discussions and consultations that can lead to a detailed program of treatment. Advances in this health field mean that physical therapists undergo extensive training in order to qualify, and have access to top technological developments for a suite of treatments that have become increasingly more accurate and detailed as the field of expertise evolves.
Hopefully, this gives some insight into the sheer range of physical therapy treatments now available in this sphere. The benefits can be far reaching and long lasting for diverse illnesses, improved sports performance and other issues that affect the quality of everyday life, and which can often be successfully treated and even avoided in the longer term leading to better health and well being.