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After any serious injury or surgery, one of the first appointments you’ll schedule will be with your physical therapist. 

Physical therapists work with you during the recovery and rehabilitation to help you regain full mobility using a mix of massage, stretching, and exercises, all customized to assist you to recover faster. Some treatments involve physical stimuli such as heat, cold, and electrical currents.

What to Expect During Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

There are three primary treatments for physical therapy, each serving a different purpose in the rehabilitation process. It’s important to work with a therapist to identify best practices for your recovery.

Exercises

Physical therapists utilize exercise as a therapeutic tool to address musculoskeletal conditions, promote healing, and restore your body to optimal function.

Through a tailored exercise program, physical therapists aim to enhance strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and balance while reducing pain and improving overall mobility.

Unlike traditional workouts, therapeutic exercises prevent further injury, strengthen muscles, and improve mobility. These also include range of motion, coordination, balance, and ambulation exercises.

Stretching

Stretching is the support system upon which all other physical therapy treatments rely. Your physical therapist will likely provide you with a series of at-home stretches to continuously work on your rehabilitation between appointments.

Therapeutic stretching has three benefits: increased circulation, tissue protection, and improved mobility. 

Every time you stretch, your body increases blood circulation to your joints and body, thus providing them with the optimal nutrients to work at peak levels. Therapeutic stretching also allows you to protect the tissues surrounding your muscles, avoiding tightness and rigidity sometimes caused by your injury. 

Mobility is an issue whether you’ve just returned from surgery or dealing with ongoing pain. Daily stretching returns and often increases your mobility, allowing you to return to the activities you love without feeling pain afterward.

External Stimulation

Electrical stimulation, heat pads, and ice packs are treatments physical therapists use to help patients recover from injury. Each  provides different benefits.

If your injury or surgery limits your mobility, your physical therapist may offer electrical stimulation during your appointment. Electrical stimulation helps strengthen muscles, block pain signals, and improve blood circulation. While there is debate over the benefits of e-stim, it is a passive action that could provide immediate relief.

Your physical therapist may bring out the heat pad to loosen up tight muscles. Each practice utilizes a different style of heat pad, but these tools provide quick results within 10-15 minutes.

Alternatively, if your injured body part is swollen or freshly out of surgery, your physical therapist may choose to use an ice pack to help reduce muscle spasms, pain, and inflammation.

What to Look For in a Physical Therapy or Rehabilitation Center

With hundreds of physical therapy facilities across the Chicagoland area to choose from, picking the right one for your needs is a must. Here are the four most important traits you should look for when choosing a physical therapy and rehabilitation center.

Qualifications and Experience

Before setting up an appointment with your physical therapist, look at their website and credentials. They should highlight their qualifications and experience in the field. If you have a specific injury, you may want to look for a therapist with that specialty to provide you with the best service possible.

Patient-Centered Approach

When it comes to your healthcare, you want to find a patient-centered provider. That means every decision they make is intended to help you heal. Always look for a physical therapist who will design a customized recovery and rehabilitation plan for your specific needs.

Communication

During your recovery process, your therapist should clearly communicate what recovery looks like and their expectations for you. Rehabilitation only works if every person involved is on the same page, which means frequent updates and communication.

Collaboration

The best physical therapists have a long list of experienced doctors they collaborate with to ensure your smooth recovery. If you are fresh out of surgery, there are benefits to working with a team that your surgeon trusts. Frequent communication and collaboration provides you with the best team possible.

Have more questions about physical therapy? Call CORE Orthopedics today.

Our trained physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons have decades of experience working with injuries like yours. The collaboration between both areas of expertise allows you to customize treatment to help you recover faster and stronger than before.

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Elk Grove Village

555 Biesterfield Road Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 (847) 690-1776  

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Hoffman Estates

2380 Lakewood Blvd. Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192 (847) 690-1776

Core Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
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Surgical Affiliations

Physician and Orthopedic Surgeon in Geneva
Geneva Surgical Suites

119 Elizabeth Ln., Genoa City, WI 53128

Phone: 262-295-1213

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Alexian Brothers Medical Center

800 Biesterfield Rd.

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Phone: 847-437-5500

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St. Alexius Medical Center

1555 Barrington Rd.

Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Phone: 847-843-2000

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Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

450 West Highway 22

Barrington, IL 60010

Phone: 847-381-0123

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