New Mexico Orthopaedics - specialized physical therapists in Albuquerque

Your first visit to New Mexico Orthopaedics will involve the physician visit. During this visit, the doctor will attempt to determine the cause of your pain, and how best to correct and treat the problem. Generally speaking, the physician will try nonsurgical methods first where possible. In some cases, the extent of the injury may require surgery to correct the damage to a joint, bone or torn ligament.

At some point in your care, you will be referred to our internal therapy area, which is an integral part of the healing and recovery process.

Ultimately, physical therapy helps the injured patient build muscle strength, increase flexibility and improve stability by working one on one with a trained professional. Strength training and weight is crucial to recovery, especially around the injured area, but also to the entire body.

Initially, physical may make limited use of what is referred to as "modalities" to help treat pain. Modalities are considered to be a passive form of therapy as the therapist applies treatment to the patient but the patient does not exert energy to regain strength. This can include the use of heat, ice, and ultrasound to relieve pain so the patient can move quickly into more active, and constructive methods of rehabilitation, like exercise.

Types of modalities include:

Ice is used within the first two days following injury to restrict blood flow. After this, heat is used to increase circulation. Sometimes heat packs are used and sometimes an ultra sound is used to work heat deep into the muscles.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an electrical stimulation machine that temporarily relaxes the muscles. Massage is another method used to relax the muscles and soothe pain.

Even more crucial to the recovery process than modalities, however, are active forms of therapy, namely strengthening exercises. During your care at New Mexico Orthopaedics, therapists will help you build your muscle strength in a safe way by using correct form, specific exercises and the right amount of weight.

When pain begins to subside, the best way to keep it at bay is to continue to exercise and do stretches even after formal physical therapy sessions are over. Developing strength training and stretching as a life long habit is one of the best ways to prevent future injuries and to alleviate existing pain.

When you begin your physical therapy program, it may feel quite similar to working out with a trainer at your local health club. This is because physical therapy is similar to working out at the gym. In fact, much of the equipment you would find at a gym is also used at a physical therapy facility. The main difference is, working out at a gym is for healthy people, working with a physical therapist is to help recover from an injury.

In addition to machines and free weights, a physical therapy facility also has testing equipment to track the progress of the patient.

Ultimately, the recovery of the patient hinges upon the effort he or she puts into recovery. Although it would be nice, recovery does not come in the form of a "magic pill" - it comes from hard work and determination to get better.

Click here to read our newsletter so you can be up-to-date with New Mexico Orthopaedics.

Need more information on health and wellness?

Click here for information on diet, nutrition and health resource books. Learn when to see the doctor and what causes symptoms.