Treatment Aids

Kinesio Taping
At Haymarket Physical Therapy and Chiropractic, we utilize the most recent advances in technology to put you on the path to recovery as quickly as possible. With Kinesio Taping, a specialized elastic tape is applied to the body to support underlying muscles and to alleviate pain by lifting the skin — thus relieving pressure and preventing irritation of the neural and sensory receptors. Because Kinesio Taping, unlike ordinary athletic tape, allows for full range of motion, the body will heal while the individual is engaged in normal activities.

When should I use heat, and when should I use ice? And, what exactly does ultrasound do?

Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is frequently used in the initial treatment of injuries and of inflammatory conditions. The application of cold decreases the tissue temperature and causes the blood vessels to shrink (vasconstrict). If a significant amount of inflammation exists during the early stages of an injury, ice will play a vital role in decreasing blood flow and in reducing the inflammation. Cooling of the injured area slows nerve conduction, which results in less pain. Cold therapy should be applied for 15 to 30 minutes.

Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is ordinarily utilized later in the rehabilitation process. The application of heat directly to the body (for example, with a heat pack) very rapidly increases the temperature of the skin. This heightened temperature causes the blood vessels in the skin to enlarge (vasodilate), thus allowing more blood to flow to the area of localized heating. In addition, the vasodilation of the blood vessels increases delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the area, removes waste products, and promotes the skin’s elasticity.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a method of heating that distributes heat deep within the body’s tissues. While heat that is derived from a heat pack placed directly on skin will only penetrate about one to five millimeters, ultrasound enables heat to penetrate up to five centimeters. Therefore, because ultrasound penetrates so deeply and avoids the skin’s surface receptors — which are programmed to detect hot and cold — patients usually will not notice any sensations of heat. Ultrasound, also, enhances certain tissue formation and improves tissue orientation and the elasticity of scars.