Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

After a back or neck injury, many people become inactive. Sometimes it is because of the pain. Other times it is because of the fears of reinjury or making the pain worse. But inactivity leads to weak muscles, and weak muscles make it harder to get back to normal activity. A vicious cycle develops.

We treat many high-level amateur athletes and otherwise active individuals, and emphasize that they must continue to exercise to keep the injured muscles strong and to develop strength in other muscles to compensate for the injury. The process of using exercise, stretching, muscle substitution, and good muscle mechanics, to help injuries to heal is referred to as rehabilitation.

Many patients with back or neck injuries have not had adequate rehabilitation. They may have gone to physical therapy, but only received hot packs, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage. While these modalities feel good, the most effective long-term benefit is from exercise.

The job of our physical therapist is to design an exercise program that is safe, effective, and has a low risk of injury for each patient. The physical therapist will work with you on your exercise program, emphasizing trunk stabilization and strengthening.

Eventually you will be discharged from formal rehabilitation, and transferred to an independent program at home or at a gym. A personal trainer is available to work with you on an independent basis to accomplish your long term strength and training goals. Please see the short bio on Victoria "Jazz" Gay for more information on personal training.