What We Do

Orthopedic/Sports Injury Rehabilitation

The physical therapists at BodyWise specialize in the treatment and rehabilitation of persons recovering from orthopedic injuries such as acute sprains and strains, labral and meniscus tears, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, disorders of the spine, and overuse injuries such as tendinitis and joint instability. Our team of practitioners is highly skilled to meet the rehabilitation needs of individuals of all ages. Our approach includes close communication with physicians, athletic trainers, coaches, and employers on the progress and needs of each individual. We customize individual exercise plans geared to returning individuals to their previous level of function in their sport or activities of daily life. In addition, we utilize a variety of modalities and techniques which accelerate the healing process and help correct underlying structural dysfunction. Some of these techniques include but are not limited to:

• Strain-Counterstrain – This technique focuses on correcting abnormal neuromuscular reflexes that cause structural and postural problems, resulting in painful “tender points” around the injured area. The therapist finds the patient’s position of comfort by asking the patient at what point the tenderness diminishes. The patient is held in this position of comfort for about 90 seconds, and then slowly brought out of this position, allowing the body to reset the muscles to a normal level of tension.
• Muscle Energy Techniques – is a form of diagnosis and treatment in which the patient actively contracts his or her muscles upon request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed therapist-held counterforce. Muscle energy techniques are used to treat restricted range of motion, muscular hypertonicity and pain.
• Kinesio Taping – is an elastic, flexible tape which gives support and stability to joints and muscles without limiting circulation or range of motion. It is also used for preventive maintenance, edema, and pain relief. The Kinesio-Taping Method is applied over muscles and soft tissue to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused muscles, and to support muscle function on a 24hr/day basis.
• Mechanical Traction – Therapeutic mechanical spinal traction uses mechanically created forces to stretch and mobilize the spine. Traction may alleviate back pain by stretching tight spinal muscles that result from spasm and by widening intervertebral foramen to relieve nerve root impingement. Mechanical traction can be used to treat either the cervical spine or the lumbar spine.
• Iontophoresis – an active trans-dermal drug delivery system that delivers drug ions through the skin using an electric current. It is an effective way to deliver medicine such as anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers directly without the negative effects of painful needle injections or the systemic effects from taking a pill.