Physical Therapy is a medical profession concerned with the evaluation, treatment and prevention of problems restricting a person’s ability to move and function. Physical Therapy uses a wide variety of techniques, including manual treatment methods, therapeutic exercises, and modalities for soft tissue healing. Education and home exercise programs help to restore physical function, prevent disability, and improve strength and movement.
Do I need a referral from a physician?
In the state of Virginia a referral is needed for insurance coverage. If you are self pay- the state of Virginia allows for an evaluation and treatment for 30 days. The evaluation needs to be sent to your primary care physician. For further treatment, a referral will be needed.
What should I expect from my first visit?
Your initial evaluation will take an hour in a private setting. Be prepared to discuss any issues you may have with pain, lack of mobility, and functional difficulties. This evaluation will include tests of range, strength, flexibility, posture as well as checking for symmetry and imbalances throughout the body to identify any contributing factors to dysfunction. Comfortable loose fitting clothing helps your therapist complete a comprehensive evaluation. Please arrive early to your first visit to fill out paperwork. Bring any x-ray, MRI or other diagnostic reports you may have related to the condition you are seeking therapy for. You will also need your referral, photo ID, and your insurance card(s).
Can I continue to see my chiropractor or acupuncturist during the treatment period?
If there is benefit from other body work please continue. If there is pain following other treatments it is best not to combine them with physical therapy.
What is Counterstrain?
Counterstrain is a hands-on, gentle and painless technique designed to target the specific tissues responsible for pain and limited joint mobility. This technique alleviates muscle and connective tissue tightness by allowing local areas of inflammation and restriction to dissipate. This is accomplished by the use of positioning into ease and comfort and by direct gliding in order to shorten the area of restriction. There is an immediate reduction of pain and tension in the involved tissue as a result of relaxing aberrant reflexes. The treatment not only helps the muscles but also the supportive network of connective tissue that surrounds everything in the body. This relaxation helps restore normal motion and is beneficial to the nerves, arteries, veins, lymphatics, and discs that may have been compressed.
Who can benefit from Counterstrain?
Due to the very gentle nature of the technique, it is good for acute pain (car accidents, sprains, strains, sports injuries, post surgical, etc). It is also beneficial for chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, migraines, etc.) as it can treat long standing neuromuscular dysfunctions and release deep fascial restrictions that are reducing the tone of a muscle in spasm. By reducing the source of the spasm, muscle pain is decreased and joint motion is restored. As it is a non- traumatic manual technique, it is also a safe and effective treatment for fragile patients (osteoporosis, infants, torticollis, stress fractures, pregnancy, hyper- mobility issues).