Rehabilitation

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is a combination of traditional physical therapy and physiotherapy modalities to relieve pain, improve physical function, and help you recover after an injury or surgery. Rehabilitation can also improve your strength prior to surgery or reduce your risk of injury, especially if you participate in sports or exercise regularly.

Common rehabilitation treatments include:

• Stretches
• Cardiovascular activities
• Strength training
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Hot and cold therapy
• Low-level laser therapy
  
  

Depending on your condition, the team develops a rehabilitation program for you to feel better and speed up your recovery.

What are the benefits of rehabilitation?

In addition to pain relief, certain rehabilitation therapies offer additional benefits to help you with your specific condition.

Traditional physical therapy

Physical therapy exercises and stretches can improve the function and range of motion of your muscles and joints, add stability to joints, improve your balance, and strengthen muscles to prevent injuries or reduce the severity of pain and discomfort associated with injuries.

TENS

TENS units include small, sticky electrode pads that are attached to your skin where you’re experiencing pain. When the unit is turned on, it sends targeted electrical impulses to reduce pain, decrease spasm, and relax tightness in your muscles.

Therapeutic ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive treatment for pain, swelling, and inflammation of joints.

Hot and cold therapy

Heat and ice can warm stiff, tight muscles by increasing circulation or reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation by controlling circulation.

Low-level laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy is a noninvasive, painless procedure that directs light waves at injured tissues to speed healing and reduce inflammation.

To determine what types of therapy are best for you, your provider first performs a comprehensive exam to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.

What happens during a rehab session?

For your rehab session, wear athletic clothing and bring a towel and water bottle. You warm up before beginning any physical therapy exercises or stretches. Afterward, you cool down as your therapist reviews at-home activities you can do to speed your recovery. Most sessions last about an hour. You may need a series of sessions to see the most benefit.

To schedule a rehabilitation session, call or book online at Florida Neuro Pain & Spine Center.