Denville Medical - Physical Therapy Terms

Cold Laser
Low level laser therapy is the use of low level lasers for multiple procedures from accelerated healing, to pain management. Our low level laser is an FDA approved low level laser given market clearance approval. Low level laser therapy applications include but are not limited to pre and post operative surgery procedures, and post injury, where the low level laser is used to increase the efficiency of the procedure and for healing acceleration after the procedure. Low level laser therapy has been proven to be effective in accelerating healing, significantly reducing the time required to heal. Low level laser therapy is also being widely used as an effective pain management tool, to relieve pain and to treat sprains, joint pain, and other injuries.

Electric Muscle Stimulation
Electric Muscle Stimulation is the application of electrical stimuli to a group of muscles, most often for the purpose of muscle rehabilitation. Electric Muscle Stimulation is primarily used by physical therapists as a form of rehabilitation after injury, stroke, or other incident that results in loss of muscle function. It is achieved by passing an electrical impulse from a device through electrodes placed on the skin over the targeted muscle or muscles.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (x-ray). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. Ultrasound imaging is usually a painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Conventional ultrasound displays the images in thin, flat sections of the body. Advancements in ultrasound technology include three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3-D images. Four-dimensional (4-D) ultrasound is 3-D ultrasound in motion.

Intersegmental Traction
Intersegmental Traction is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints, increasing mobility, and stretching scar tissue. The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints. Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort. Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental Traction helps to increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine.

Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each patient as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which our therapists use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, through the enhancement of strength, flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.

Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a type of therapy that addresses sharp muscle pains which can occur at various points in the body called trigger points. Trigger point therapy often has positive benefits for sufferers from chronic pain, because the therapy aims to eliminate painful areas, rather than treating surface tension or inflammation. Trigger point therapy operates under the principle that waste products from the body tend to accumulate around nerve clusters. If allowed to, these waste products will form a nodule or band which can be felt in the tissue, putting pressure on the nerve cluster. The formation is called a trigger point, as stress on the muscle can cause the trigger point to activate, sometimes causing an intensely sharp pain. Trigger point therapy seeks out and destroys these nodules to help eliminate pain.

Kinesio Taping
The Kinesio Taping Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period. Correctional techniques include mechanical, lymphatic, ligament/tendon, fascia, space and functional. Kinesio Taping can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and electrical stimulation.