Physical Therapy
Our patient physical therapy includes a back pain rehabilitation and our pre and post operative treatment programs. We are trained in both the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. We use a combination of hands-on techniques along with specific physiotherapy “modalities”, such as ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, light therapy and exercise.

”Manual Therapy” consists of such things as myofascial release techniques (deep tissue treatment by hand), stretching of restricted structures and soft tissue and joint mobilization/manipulation. In addition to hands on techniques, we use an extensive array of therapeutic exercises in treating patients. We also help our patients to create a home program of care so they become less likely to return with the same complaints after we finish treating them. These are detailed exercise programs centered around their specific needs at the end of their care. We find that this extra step keeps most of our patients from returning over and over again with the same problems.

Ultrasound

This treatment should not be confused with diagnostic ultrasound, often used in prenatal screening, but is instead a therapeutic procedure that utilizes sound waves to treat injured muscles, joints, and soft tissues. The sound waves vibrate the tissues back and forth, creating a deep, micro-massage effect. In the case of a recent injury, this helps to decrease scar tissue and adhesion formation, which would otherwise interfere with the body's healing process. The sound waves also decrease inflammation by destroying unwanted inflammatory cells. The sound waves also accelerate healing by stimulating the activity of the cells responsible for cellular and tissue repair. In chronic cases, special settings are used to create a deep-heating effect, heating the tissues far below the skin's surface. This heat, along with the vibrations that are caused by the ultrasound, help to "melt away" the muscle spasms and "knots" felt in our muscles.

What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and it is administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.

How does Ultrasound work?
The sound waves, some moving with a frequency of 1,000,000 waves per second, penetrate into deep into the tissues. The vibrations and heat break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations.

What does Ultrasound feel like?
Dr. Picard keeps the gel warm in a special warmer as not to irritate the tissues. During the treatment most patients either feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the skin's surface.

Why is Ultrasound used?
The treatment can be administered directly to the affected area and it penetrates deeply. As the temperature rises, blood flow increases and muscle spasms relax thus speeding up the healing process.

What are the benefits of Ultrasound?
Ultrasound stimulated healing without irritation and enhances the body's natural healing ability. It is effective in treating calcium deposition, speeds metabolism and improves blood flow and reduces nerve root irritation.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Often referred to as "muscle stim," the therapy involves low levels of electrical impulses delivered to the injured, painful tissues to reduce pain and speed healing. Often described by patients as a pleasant, "tingling" sensation, or "electrical massage," these impulses stimulate the body to release natural pain relievers, called endorphins. These endorphins reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting faster healing of the injured tissues. This therapy is often used to treat acute or chronic pain, as well as strains or sprains of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the spine and extremities.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a term that describes the application of ice compresses to reduce the temperature of tissues directly on or below the skin surface. Cryotherapy works on the surface cooling constricts blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms. Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief. Cooling affected tissues is effective in reducing and preventing post-traumatic swelling. Local cooling should be applied several times a day during the initial stages of an injury.

Patients Benefits: Helps reduce swelling and inflammation, Numbs affected area to reduce pain, Reduces muscle spasms and is inexpensive and can be self-applied.

What is Interferential Electro-Therapy?

It is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing.

Tiny amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the vicinity of the injury. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, a low-frequency stimulation is created. This prompts the body to secrete endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain.

Most patients find Interferential Electro-Therapy to be extremely beneficial and describe the treatment as a faint "pins and needles" sensation.

Interferential Electro-Therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing the swelling of soft tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation.