Physical Therapists in Pueblo CO treat disease, injury or loss of a bodily part by use of massage, heat and cold, electrical stimulation, exercise, and other methods.
PCC requires a 10-panel drug screen prior to admission into any Health Professions program. Students testing positive for THC (marijuana) will be disqualified from the program.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a new treatment system using frequencies to reduce pain and improve tissue function. FSM is a non-invasive, drug free technique that uses micro-amperage current (electrical current in millionths of an ampere) that’s the same kind of current that your body produces within each cell on its own.
FSM uses a combination of frequencies that have been shown to improve a variety of conditions including nerve and muscle pain, inflammation, scar tissue and more. It has even been shown to help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms!
The treatment is very gentle and most patients don’t feel anything. Some feel a light or floaty sensation and others may experience warmth or a softening of the tissues being treated. FSM is safe for most people but is not appropriate for women who are pregnant or have a pacemaker and should be used with caution for those with cancer.
Microcurrent Point Stimulation (MPS)
The dolphin neuro-stim device uses a safe level of electrical current (the same as that found naturally in your body) to help with scar tissue, trigger points and adhesions. It also helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system which can help decrease stress levels and chronic pain conditions.
This powerful pain relieving modality is being used by therapists around the world to improve outcomes and get their patients better faster. It has been shown to significantly improve pain outcomes in a single session.
Studies show that MPS therapy can significantly decrease pain in the lower back and neck, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, shoulder and elbow injuries, and many other conditions. In addition, MPS can help decrease a variety of abdominal problems such as post surgical abdominal scars and c-section scars. These scars can produce adhesions and blockages in the abdominal and back tissues causing dysfunction. The consistency of pain outcome improvements through the use of MPS on physical scars suggests there is a strong neurological relationship between chronic pain symptomology and the presence of physical scar tissue throughout the body.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy uses light to stimulate cells deep within the body. It helps increase cell function, which in turn promotes tissue healing. It also decreases pain and inflammation.
Different types of lasers can be used for different procedures. Carbon dioxide lasers make shallow cuts and are often used for skin cancer. Argon lasers can activate photosensitizing drugs during photodynamic therapy, which treats some cancers using both light and chemotherapy. Nd:YAG lasers can travel along optical fibers and are used in laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy, a type of tumor treatment.
Aside from increasing blood flow to the area (which may cause the skin to flush or feel warm) there are no adverse effects of laser therapy. However, some patients can experience a temporary increase in nerve-related pain when the irritable nerve tissue is over stimulated. Proper dosing minimizes this effect. Laser therapy is a safe option for most people.
Red Light Therapy (RLT)
Red Light Therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive regenerative treatment that delivers specific wavelengths of light energy to the layers of skin tissue and cells. It stimulates collagen production for faster healing and reduces inflammation in the body.
The light interacts with mitochondria (the “power plants” of the cell), increasing their function and allowing them to produce more ATP. This boost of energy allows other cells to do their job, including relieving muscle soreness.
It can be used in conjunction with RICE and doctor-approved anti-inflammatory medications to support the healing process. It can also be helpful for reducing pain in areas of chronic inflammation such as arthritis. Red Light Therapy also may be able to reverse hair loss or stimulate follicle growth, though the results have been mixed. Many of the studies examining the effectiveness of this treatment have small sample sizes, so further research is needed.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a technique where the physical therapist inserts a solid filament needle into muscle trigger points (also known as myofascial trigger points). The therapist’s fingers cannot reach these knotted muscles, and dry needling allows them to stimulate the muscle, trigger a local twitch response, increase blood flow, decrease muscular banding, and create biochemical changes in the tissue.
The physical therapist will identify areas of pain and dysfunction through palpation and observation. The needle is inserted into muscle trigger points or other generally painful or tight areas of the muscle. When the needle hits the trigger point, it creates a twitch response and causes a brief cramp-like sensation.
The body’s natural reaction to this treatment is to re-balance the muscle and restore normal movement patterns, which helps to eliminate pain and dysfunction. Dry needling can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain syndromes, such as myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. It also accelerates recovery from athletic injuries by eliminating trigger points.
Gait Training
Gait training is a process that improves the ability to stand and walk, even if you need to use an assistive device. It involves activities that strengthen muscles and joints, increase balance, enhance posture, build endurance and retrain legs for repetitive motion.
Physical therapists can address gait abnormalities caused by knee, ankle and hip problems. The goal is to achieve a normal walking pattern, which includes symmetrical leg movement and equal stance time.
During gait training, the therapist may use treadmills and perform muscle strengthening exercises. Your therapist may also have you practice stepping, lifting, sitting, and standing, depending on your diagnosis and abilities. Using high-tech electrical stimulation during these exercises can boost results and help you regain strength faster. This is known as neuroplasticity.