Laser
The Multi-Radiance Super Pulsed Cold Laser is an FDA approved device that uses a light source to penetrate tissue and alerter molecules at the cellular level of the body. The frequency of the wavelengths used, induces physiological changes by accelerating healing and tissue regeneration, increasing circulation, reducing inflammation, reducing acute or chronic pain, and helps restore normal cellular function.
Ultrasound
This modality is commonly used for improving connective tissue extensibility. It can provide pain relief, help manage scar tissue, and enhance tissue healing and remodeling in tendons.
GameReady
This machine integrates the use of penetrating cold therapy and compression to help accelerate recovery. This machine has different sleeves/attachments and sizes to fit most parts of your body. The GameReady promotes vasoconstriction of blood vessels, which reduces blood flow, reduces inflammation, reduces edema, decreases muscle spasms, and decreases metabolic demand. The GameReady is indicated for all postoperative patients, anyone with joint swelling or limb edema, or anyone looking to reduce post workout soreness to help accelerate healing.
Iontophoresis
This technique uses a battery powered current to induce transcutaneous movement of ions across the skin. This allows medication to be directly applied to a specific area vs taking medication systemically (orally) where very little of that medication will get to where you actually want it. The most common medication applied is dexamethasone. This medication is a corticosteroid, which has anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve pain and inflammation. Another advantage is avoiding the side effects of taking the medication orally.
Mechanic Traction
Mechanical traction is used to help alleviate/reduce pain by stretching and separating the vertebrae to help reduce forces/compression of discs, nerves, and joints. As the joints in the neck or low back are separated, pain relief should be achieved.
Electrical Stimulation
There are numerous different types of electrical stimulation that can be utilized, each having it’s only unique benefits. Some common types of electrical stimulation are:
- Interferential Current (IFC). Used for relief of acute or chronic pain, and increases circulation. Stronger and more effective than TENS.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Commonly used for short term pain relief in muscles or relief of chronic pain. TENS works by interrupting pain signals to the brain.
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Assists in muscle re-education by activating motor neuron units to help fire the muscle. Often used after surgery or injury in which it is hard to activate/contract a muscle.
- High Voltage Stimulation. Assists in reducing swelling in joints. Often coupled with GameReady machine.
Benefits of electrical stimulation that one may experience:
- Decrease in pain
- Increase in circulation
- Decrease in muscle spasm
- Decrease in swelling or edema
- Muscle re-education
- Improvement in strength
- Improvement in range of motion
- Improvement in overall function
Moist Heat Packs
On many occasions, large moist heat packs, stored in a hydrocollator, are used in combination with electrical stimulation in an anti-gravity chair to reduce pain and muscle spasm.
