Methods used for the treatment and rehabilitation
Movement and exercise
Therapeutic exercises designed to improve mobility and strengthen the affected area of the body. They need to be repeated regularly, usually daily, for a set number of weeks.
Manual therapy techniques
Manual therapy uses 'hands on' treatment techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues. It's suitable for most people and can be used to:
relieve pain
improve blood circulation
help fluid drain more efficiently from parts of the body
improve the movement of different parts of the body
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(TENS) A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that delivers an electric current to the affected area via two electrodes. The tingling sensation produced by the current can help block or suppress pain signals to your brain.
Ultrasound High-frequency sound waves can be used treat deep tissue injuries by stimulating blood circulation and cell activity. It's thought it can help reduce pain and muscle spasm, as well as speed up healing.
Scientific evidence to support the above treatments is currently limited. For example, there's not enough firm evidence to say for sure whether TENS is a reliable method of pain relief.
Some people have reported that TENS has been effective for them, but it seems to depend on the condition and the individual. It's not suitable for people with a pacemaker or other types of electrical implant.
Spinal Traction
Spinal traction is a kind of treatment which stretches the spine to take the pressure off compressed discs. This straightens the spine and improves the body's ability to heal itself.
Patients with spinal conditions can benefit from this therapy because the traction reverses the force of gravity. It is most commonly used to treat slipped discs, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, facet disease, sciatica, bone spurs, foraminal stenosis, and pinched nerves.
Short wave diathermy-
Diathermy is a therapeutic treatment most commonly prescribed for joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The heat can be used to increase blood flow or to relieve pain.
Diathermy uses an electric current to produce heat deep inside a targeted tissue. It can reach areas as deep as two inches from the skin’s surface.
The diathermy machine does not apply heat directly to the body. Instead, the current from the machine allows the body to generate heat from within the targeted tissue.
As the heat increases, it promotes blood flow. It also can help improve flexibility in stiff joints and connective tissue.
With decreased pain and inflammation, patients with arthritis can increase their range of motion. This may allow them to move more easily and participate in rehabilitation more comfortably.