Orthopedic Medicine, Sports Medicine and
Physical Therapy Services in Honolulu, Hawaii
At Portner Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Honolulu, we believe that exercise alone is not an effective form of treatment. Physical therapy (PT) is a rehabilitation tool used to directly treat the diagnosed lesion, prevent future injuries, strengthen muscles and build bone. Contrary to popular belief, exercise therapy is but a small component of the types of treatments available under the heading of physical therapy. We have several physical therapists who are able to address a wide variety of orthopedic conditions and relieve pain through personalized PT routines.
The physical therapist plays an integral role in helping you achieve optimum health. Your therapist will design a personalized plan to address the specific weaknesses or deficiencies that are making you susceptible to injury and educate you on the appropriate workouts to enhance function. He or she may work with acupuncture and massage therapy specialists to ensure your treatment comprehensively addresses the issue.
GOALS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
While physical therapy is frequently applied to encourage recovery of your orthopedic injury, sports injury or musculoskeletal disorder, physical therapy modalities are also used to prevent injury and loss of function. Our goal is to maximize function while creating and maintaining a harmonious relationship between the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other components in your affected area.
Pain and swelling can be significantly minimized with targeted physical therapy, but the strategic movements applied by your physical therapist often come after healing is complete. For injured athletes, the joints, tendons and muscles traumatized by injury are treated with the goal of not simply restoring the condition that existed before the injury, but also building strength to help the athlete avoid seeing us in the future.
PHYSICAL THERAPY TOOLS
Our physical therapists begin with findings from the initial visit with the doctor, and then perform a PT evaluation to determine the best course of action. A physical therapy program may consist of several facets, including:
- Spinal traction
- Joint mobilization/manipulation
- Friction massage
- Electrical stimulation
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Heat/cold therapy
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Postural training
- Athletic performance enhancement
- Injury prevention
- Ergonomic assessment and training
- Home exercise program development and instruction
- Core muscle strengthening and Pilates exercises
- Instruction on proper use of braces, pads and orthotic devices
- Instruction for home traction devices
- Geriatric conditioning, including general fitness and endurance, strength and flexibility training, balance training, safe walking and improved transfer skills (getting in a car, in and out of bed or a chair, etc.)
Learn more about personalized physical therapy and how it may help you find relief from pain. Please contact our Hawaii orthopedic experts at (808) 596-7300 to schedule your personalized evaluation.
Not intended as medical advice. Please consult a physician for all medical issues.