Physical Therapy Services

All of our physical therapists are active members of the American Physical Therapy Association. As members of the APTA, our therapists participate in extensive post-graduate training courses that teach all of the latest physical therapy treatments.

Below are some of the treatment techniques performed by our team of physical therapists:

• Therapuetic Exercises: Exercise helps improve your flexibility, strength, coordination and endurance. Our physical therapist will develop a specific exercise program based on your injury/condition. You will also be taught how to perform exercises at home as part of your required Home Exercise Program.
• Manual Therapy: Physical therapists perform hands-on manual therapy techniques that helps relax muscles, reduces pain and improves flexibility. There are several types of manual therapy techniques used by our physical therapists:
• Therapeutic Massage: Pressure is applied to soft tissue to help relax muscles, improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
• Mobilization: Slow, measured movements are performed by the physical therapist to realign joints into their correct position. Mobilization can also help loosen tight tissues around joints to help improve flexibility.
• Traction: Cervical and lumbar traction can be used on patients who are experiencing neck pain and radicular symptoms. The goal of the physical therapist is to allow the muscles to relax and the pinched nerves to be released. Traction can be performed manually by the physical therapist or mechanical tension can by applied to relieve pressure on the discs and nerves in the neck and lower back.
• Ultrasound: High-pitched sound waves help relax and warm muscles before or even after exercise. Ultrasound machines can also be used to ease muscle spasms, reduce pain and inflammation as well as promote healing.
• Electrical Stimulation: Electrical stimulation involves low levels of electrical current that helps reduce pain. It is also used to cause muscles to contract - this type of electrical stimulation helps maintain muscle tone when muscles would otherwise lose strength; it also teaches muscles how to contract again.
• Ice: Cold packs are used to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation from injuries and other chronic conditions. Cold packs are usually applied 10-15 minutes at a time, sometimes during electrical stimulation (if needed). In some cases, ice may be applied several times a day.
• Heat: Heat packs relax and heal muscles and soft tissue by increasing blood circulation. Heat is sometimes applied to relax the muscles before or after exercising.

Experience the benefits of physical therapy. If you are looking for a possible alternative to surgery and/or pain medication, consider a physical therapist.

Ridgewood Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center
104 Chestnut Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 493-8111