| Chronic
Pain / Muscle & Joint Problems: The physical therapist will take a thorough history from the patient about the nature of the problem and identify the patient's concerns and goals. During the evaluation, your therapist will search for faulty biomechanical relationships, examine symptomatic tissues, assess neuromuscular control, palpate active trigger points, pinpoint strength deficits, and identify movements or postures that increase or decrease pain. This evaluation helps to determine the source of the pain and guides the course of treatment. Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education, education about the condition, various modalities, and intramuscular stimulation. Intramuscular stimulation is an effective technique to release shortened muscles and treat myofascial trigger points.
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| Urinary
Incontinence: Physical therapy treatment includes exercises for the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises), biofeedback, behavioral training, and patient education. In mild to moderate cases, proper instruction in pelvic floor exercises should cure 70% or more cases in 3-6 months.
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| Pelvic
Pain: Physical therapy treatment may include manual techniques to muscles, connective tissue and joints to decrease pain. Modalities, including biofeedback for relaxation or muscle re-education, strengthening exercises and postural education may also be utilized.
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| Headaches:
Physical therapy is based upon identifying and treating the musculoskeletal dysfunctions that may be responsible for causing headaches. Treatment includes manual techniques to the structures that are dysfunctional, in order to decreased pain and headaches. The therapist helps the patient identify and change daily habits and behaviors that may be aggravating the condition. Instruction with individually tailored exercises is an integral part of treatment. Modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation may also be used as an adjunct to treatment. Furthermore, biofeedback and neuromuscular retraining may be used to address muscle over-activity.
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| Temporomandibular Dysfunction:
Physical therapy focuses on resolving inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms/trigger points. Goals include: increasing range of motion, restoring soft tissue and joint mobility, and addressing factors that may perpetuate TMJ/TMD. Postural mal-alignment, neuromuscular imbalances, and poor oral habits may be factors. Physical therapy treatment may include mobilization, exercises, patient education, biofeedback, neuromuscular re-education, and modalities.
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| Fibromyalgia: Physical therapy treatment includes manual therapy techniques, heat, cold ultrasound, TENS, and exercise. Water exercise, yoga, stretching, and walking are also effective management tools.
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| Interstitial Cystitis (IC): Physical therapy treatment includes pain management of the abdominal and vaginal muscles, manual therapy to relax, soothe muscle spasms and trigger points, and EMG/Biofeedback for muscle re-education.
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