3 Therapies To Help Patients Heal Their Bodies
Patients can take several different approaches to healing. It may be beneficial to divide the healing process into three stages: immediate post-injury response, recovery and long-term care. Here are three modes of therapy that a medical care provider or specialist may recommend to patients for a wide range of injuries. Any of the following treatments may also be helpful for managing chronic pain and promoting holistic healing.
1. Non-Invasive Therapy for Injuries
Most physical therapy and sports medicine experts recommend the RICE method for treating injuries. This acronym stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Once an injury has begun to heal, a patient may get better results by pursuing non-invasive physical therapy treatments.
One type of treatment that can be effective for patients who suffer musculoskeletal injuries or wounds is shockwave therapy. This approach involves the generation of a wave of positive pressure followed by negative pressure that activates biochemical reactions that can achieve a full array of desirable healing outcomes.
Therapy with shock or stem waves promotes angiogenesis for improved circulation and vascularity. An analgesic or pain-killing effect is also possible with these treatments. In addition to the immediate effects of undergoing low-intensity wave therapy, some of the cumulative long-term benefits include modulating and reducing inflammation and stimulating tissue regeneration and remodeling for a faster and more complete recovery.
2. Temperature-Based Treatments Injury Treatments
The RICE method involves the use of ice or cold temperatures to reduce inflammation. When combined with compression, this method can be effective for reducing swelling immediately after an injury occurs. Ongoing treatment with ice or heat can also be beneficial for promoting healing.
As a general rule, cold therapies are best for acute injuries and pain that is associated with inflammation and swelling. Thermal treatments are best for addressing muscle pain and stiffness. It is possible to find a variety of physical therapy tools that have options to safely incorporate cold or heat into a recovery program.
The pain relief that temperature-based treatments can provide tends to be temporary. It is also important to exercise care not to injure your skin through direct or prolonged exposure to freezing or very hot therapy tools. For instance, the RICE method recommends applying an ice pack covered with a light absorbent towel to a recent injury for sessions of no more than 20 minutes every two to three hours during the first 24 to 48 hours after you suffer an injury.
3. Restorative Therapies for Flexibility and Strength
As your healing proceeds, you may find restorative physical therapy to be useful for regaining flexibility and strength. A doctor or physical therapist may recommend stretches based on the type of injury that you should do throughout recovery. It is advisable to follow these recommendations to regain a full range of motion or as much strength as possible.
Restorative therapy may involve a combination of stretching and mobility exercises. After patients suffer injuries, doctors and therapists often work together to come up with a therapy program that will enable each patient to reach the goals set by the individual and medical professionals. The stages of recovery may continue on for weeks, months or even years after an individual suffers a moderate to major injury.
Non-invasive treatments such as shock and stem waves are the perfect complement for physical therapy. As the condition of an injury improves, treatment with a focused, low-intensity acoustic wave can be beneficial for patients who are experiencing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, from bone pathologies and non-unions to calcifying tendonitis, calcific tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Therapy that involves the application of shock waves, specific temperature adjustments or other restorative therapies can be most beneficial for musculoskeletal injuries. Other types of injuries or chronic pain may call for other approaches to healing. A physical therapy provider can work with patients to determine the best course of treatment to heal injuries and promote overall wellness.
