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Types of Treatment


 

What Types of Treatments Will I Receive?

There are dozens of different types of treatment interventions. Here is a list of treatment interventions:

  • Active Range of Motion (AROM) - the patient lifts or moves a body part through range of motion against gravity. AROM is usually one of the first modalities prescribed for arthritis.
  • Active Assistive Range of Motion (AAROM) - a therapist-assisted active range of motion. This is usually prescribed for gentle stretching or strengthening for a very weak body part.
  • Stationary Bicycle - with or without resistance. This is usually prescribed for improving the strength and/or range of motion of the back or lower extremities as well as cardiovascular endurance.
  • Gait or Walking Training - the analysis of walking problems by visually examining the interaction of the low back and the joints of the thighs, legs, and feet during the various stages of walking, including initial contact, loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre swing, mid swing, and terminal swing. Many back, thigh, leg, ankle and foot problems may be caused by or manifest themselves in subtle gait abnormalities.
  • Isometrics - muscle contraction without joint movement. This is usually prescribed for strengthening without stressing or damaging the joint (e.g., arthritis, or exercises to be performed in a cast, or right after surgery if recommended by the therapist/doctor). 
  • Isotonics- muscle(s) contracting through the ROM with resistance. This is usually prescribed for strengthening.
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization - therapeutic massage of body tissue performed with the hands. Soft tissue mobilization may be used for muscle relaxation, to decrease swelling, to decrease scar tissue adhesions, and for pain relief. 
  • Mobilization - Hands-on therapeutic procedures intended to increase soft tissue or joint mobility. Mobilization is usually prescribed to increase mobility, delaying progressive stiffness, and to relieve pain. There are many types of mobilization techniques including Maitland, Kaltenborn, Isometric Mobilizations, etc.
  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - a system of manually resisted exercises performed in diagonal patterns that mimic functional movements. PNF was initially used in developmentally and neurologically impaired patients but now is used in almost every aspect of neuromuscular retraining from athletes in sports facilities to the very weak in hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Posture Training - instruction in the correct biomechanical alignment of the body to reduce undue strain on muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, and other soft tissues. There is an ideal posture, but most people do not have ideal posture. Therapists educate patients about the importance of improving posture with daily activities. Stretching and strengthening exercises may be prescribed to facilitate postural improvement and to prevent further disability and future recurrences of problems. 
  • Progressive Resistive Exercises (PRE) - exercises that gradually increase in resistance (weights) and in repetitions. PRE is usually prescribed for reeducation of muscles and strengthening. Weights, rubber bands, and body weight can be used as resistance.
  • Passive Range of Motion (PROM) - the patient or therapist moves the body part through a range of motion without the use of the muscles that "actively" move the joint(s).
  • Stretching/Flexibility Exercise - an exercise designed to lengthen muscle(s) or soft tissue. Stretching exercises are usually prescribed to improve the flexibility of muscles that have tightened due to disuse or in compensation to pain, spasm or immobilization.
  • Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy - used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. 
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) - the application of electrical stimulation to aid in improving strength (e.g., the quadriceps muscle after knee surgery or injury). NMES is also used to decrease pain and swelling and to relieve muscle spasm.
  • Neck Traction - a gentle longitudinal/axial pull on the neck, either manual or mechanical, intermittent or continuous for relief of neck pain, to decrease muscle spasm and facilitate unloading of the spine.
  • Heat - heat is recommended to decrease chronic pain, relax muscles, and for pain relief. It should not be used with an acute or "new" injury.
  • Iontophoresis - medications are propelled through the skin by an electrical charge. This modality works on the physical concept that like charges repel each other. Therefore, a positively charged medication will be repelled through the skin to the underlying tissues by the positively charged pad of an iontophoresis machine. Iontophoresis is usually prescribed for injuries such as shoulder or elbow bursitis.

Pelvic Traction - the longitudinal/axial pull on the lumbar spine, either manual or mechanical, intermittent or continuous. Pelvic traction may be helpful for the relief of low back pain and muscle spasm.

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) - a relatively low voltage applied over painful areas through small self-adhesive electrodes. The electrical stimulation "disguises" or "overrides" the sensation of pain. It is a small, portable unit, used in intervals, to control pain and reduce dependence on drugs. It is usually prescribed for relief of pain.
  • Ultrasound - ultrasound uses a high-frequency sound wave emitted from the sound head when electricity is passed through a quartz crystal. The sound waves cause the vibration of water molecules deep within tissue causing a heating effect. When the sound waves are pulsed, they cause a vibration of the tissue rather than heating. The stream of sound waves helps with nutrition exchange at the cellular level and healing. Studies have shown that ultrasound is helpful for ligament healing and clinically, for carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle spasm. 
  • Whirlpool - immersion of a body part into water with small "agitators" to provide a gentle massaging motion. A warm whirlpool provides relief from pain and muscle spasm and is often preparatory to stretching or exercise. Cold whirlpool is used to decrease inflammation and swelling.

If you have any specific questions about treatments at Advantage Physical Therapy, please contact us at our office and we will be happy to help!

Advantage Physical Therapy, located in Falls Church, Virginia, has been committed to helping people for over 30 years in Northern Virginia. The therapists have over 55 years combined experience and provide a variety of physical therapy treatments for musculoskeletal conditions, caused by injury or disease, affecting ankles, feet, knees, hips, thoracic and lumbar spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and neck. Patients of all ages, from young children to elderly seniors, benefit from specialized treatment for neurological conditions, Sarcoma tumor recovery, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and more.

The founders of Advantage Physical Therapy have developed a reputation for excellence in physical therapy within the surrounding community, and regionally. They have developed their reputation in the Washington DC Metro area based on the experience they provide for their patients. They strive to individualize the care of each patient and give service above what would be considered the “normal” physical therapy experience. At Advantage Physical Therapy, they believe the initial evaluation is crucial to achieving a successful outcome.

During a patient's initial evaluation, the patient and therapist will have an exclusive one-on-one interaction and together design a customized treatment program to meet patient needs. Once the treatment program begins, patients will continue with their physical therapist and will not be assigned to aides or trainers. Furthermore, unless the patient requests otherwise, the physical therapist that performed the initial evaluation will treat him or her during every visit, creating a continuity of care that is the basis of a strong patient-therapist relationship which will enhance both the treatment and overall experience.

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2015 Patients' Choice Award Winner

Congratulations to Advantage Physical Therapy on winning the 2015 Patients' Choice Awards for Physical Therapist in Falls Church, VA

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Experience the Advantage

Advantage Physical Therapy is a state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by physical therapists. Founded with over 55 years of outpatient experience, we are dedicated to providing superior outpatient physical therapy with individualized patient care. 

We are conveniently located on Arlington Boulevard, near Seven Corners and the city of Falls Church just 2.6 miles inside the Beltway. Parking is free. To get started, call the office for an appointment or with questions. You can request an appointment online today to start on the road to an active life!

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At Advantage Physical Therapy, we accept most major medical insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed below.

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with Women’s Health, we only accept medical insurance through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO, Tricare, and Veterans Administration.

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Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO
Department of Labor
Medicare
Tricare
Testimonials

Words from our patients

  • Yelp

    "They took my insurance and it was easy to make an appointment. You will get better here!"

    Em B.
  • facebook

    "I had knee replacement surgery in Oct 2012. The physical therapist got me bending & walking in no time."

    Amy N.
  • Yelp

    "Advantage PT is heads and shoulders above all in terms of quality of treatment. There is kindness in the way that the therapists and staff members treat their patients."

    Liz H.
  • Google

    "All the staff I worked with were positive, helpful, and so professional. I had such a great experience during my shoulder therapy!"

    Kelly S.
  • Google

    "The team at Advanced PT is amazing. Their dedication and understand was top notch and so was their attention to detail."

    Giovani J.
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Advantage Physical Therapy
6565 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 220
Falls Church, VA 22042