An Introduction to Physical Therapy Modalities

You’ve been in a car accident, or maybe you fell down the stairs at home. Whatever the case may be, you’ve injured yourself and you need to see a physical therapist. But what exactly will they do to help you heal? In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to some of the most common physical therapy modalities and how they can help you recover from your injury.

Modalities are treatments that physical therapists like Robert Stravinsky use to help their patients heal. There are dozens of different modalities, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Here are three of the most common modalities, explained by that you’re likely to encounter during your time in physical therapy:

#1. Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is one of the most common modalities used by physical therapists. It’s easy to see why; heat therapy is simple, safe, and effective. Heat therapy can be done using a heating pad, hot water bottle, electric blanket, or even a sauna. The heat helps to relax your muscles, which in turn can reduce pain and stiffness.

#2. Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is the opposite of heat therapy; instead of using heat to relax your muscles, cold therapy uses cold temperatures. Cold therapy can be done using ice packs, frozen vegetables, or even a cryotherapy chamber. The cold helps to numb your pain receptors, which can provide much-needed relief from chronic pain.

#3. Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is a bit more complicated than heat or cold therapy; instead of using heat or cold to treat your injury, ultrasound uses sound waves. Ultrasound waves create vibrations that help to break up scar tissue and promote blood flow to the area. This can help to speed up the healing process.

Conclusion:
There are dozens of different Robert Stravinsky physical therapy modalities available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. In this blog post, we’ve introduced you to three of the most common modalities: heat therapy, cold therapy, and ultrasound therapy. Talk to your physical therapist about which modality is right for you and your injury.