Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are licensed medical providers who evaluate and treat movement and musculoskeletal disorders of the human body. Your therapist can address conditions that are the result of injury, disease, surgery or disability, which may cause disturbed function or impairment related to the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.

Pelvic Floor physical therapists are specially trained and certified to evaluate and treat any dysfunction in the muscles of the pelvis that control bowel/bladder continence, sexual function, and provide support for the pelvic organs.  A physical therapist who treats Pelvic Floor dysfunctions may treat

  • Urinary or fecal incontinence
  • Urinary urgency and frequency
  • Nocturia & frequent night-time urination 
  • Constipation
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Pain with bowel movements
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pediatric constipation, incontinence and bed-wetting 
  • Hip or pelvic pain
  • Post-prostatectomy dysfunction
  • Pregnancy/postpartum related conditions 
  • Painful c-section or episiotomy scars 
  • Your therapist will utilize sEMG Biofeedback, internal/external soft tissue work, patient education and management to treat these impairments.  Physical Therapy treatment of pelvic floor disorders is highly specialized, and is provided only by therapists who have completed advanced post-graduate education and training.

Trigger Point Dry Needling is a treatment for muscular tightness and spasms which commonly follow injuries and often accompany the degenerative processes. This muscular tightness and spasm can cause compression and irritation of the nerves that exit the spinal column. When the nerves are irritated, they cause a protective spasm or trigger-point of all of the muscles to which they are connected. This may cause peripheral diagnoses, such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, decreased mobility, and chronic pain. Small, thin needles are inserted in the muscles at the sites causing the referred pain. It is called “dry” needling because no medications are actually injected into the muscle – simply the needle itself being inserted into the muscle causes the release and inactivates the trigger point. The muscles then contract and release, improving flexibility of the muscle and decreasing pain and other symptoms. Trigger Point Dry Needling can be a great addition to your physical therapy plan of care. 

People who will benefit from Trigger Point Dry Needling:

  • Chronic Pain Patients
  • Movement Disorders
  • Sprains or Strains
  • Muscle Imbalances
  • Sports Injuries
  • TMJ/TMD
  • Neck and Back Pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Athletes with Recurring Injuries
  • Elderly Population with ‘Back and Hip Pain’
  • Fibromyalgia 
  • Anyone with Pain and Muscle Dysfunction in Any Area including Feet, Hands, TMJ, and Headaches/ Neck Pain Due to Stress

Manual therapy, massage and myofascial work are interventions that are used by your physical therapist to supplement your rehabilitation process. These techniques can be used to improve range of motion, decrease muscle tightness/fascial restriction, improve circulation/blood flow, reduce inflammation or edema, decrease pain and muscle spasms. 

Falls are the leading cause of injury among the elderly population, with ⅓ of adults older than 65 falling each year, according to the CDC. Physical therapy can help prevent falls by identifying the contributing factors for falls and balance dysfunction, such as impaired reflexes, decreased core/postural strength, and gait abnormalities. Your physical therapist will perform various tests to evaluate your balance and treat the areas of weakness or dysfunction. Additionally, your therapist will ensure that all three of the systems that maintain our balance and equilibrium are working well to keep you on your feet and avoid injuries.

  • Pre-Op: Most people are familiar with the concept of physical therapy following a surgical procedure. However, in less frequent occasions, you may complete a round of physical therapy prior to your surgery in an effort to strengthen the surrounding joints and musculature in preparation for the operation. “Pre-hab”, as it is often called, can improve your range of motion, mobility and strength which will help to improve your outcomes after surgery.
  • Post-Op: Following your operation, your therapy team will work closely with your surgeon to prescribe a post-operative therapy protocol to improve your pain, ROM, strength and return to function as soon as safely possible. Physical Therapy plays a role post-operatively to reduce the chances of complications, such as infections, blood clots, muscle weakness, excessive scar tissue formation, and prolonged decreased independence and mobility.
  • Common Surgeries that benefit from PT post-operatively: total joint replacements, back and neck surgeries, rotator cuff surgery, ACL/MCL/Meniscus surgery, foot/ankle surgeries

A Pediatric Physical Therapist works with children with a wide range of disorders of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, using a variety of techniques designed to make therapy fun and playful to help children reach their highest potential of physical function.

Diagnoses a Pediatric Physical Therapist might assist with:

  • Cerebral Palsy 
  • Down Syndrome
  • Spina Bifida
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Toe Walking
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder 
  • Torticollis 
  • Development Delay/Disorder
  • Neurological Dysfunction & Genetic Disorders 
  • Sports Injuries

What a Pediatric PT will work on with your child:

  • Coordination 
  • Balance
  • Strength 
  • Functional mobility (running, jumping, playing)
  • Motor Skills & Motor Planning
  • Endurance 
  • Sensory integration 
  • Proprioception and body awareness 
  • Muscle tone 
  • Gross motor development 
  • Gait training/mechanics 
  • Equipment fitting/management 

The McKenzie Method is a form of pain management that was created by Robin McKenzie in the 1960s, that utilizes a series of exercises and maneuvers to improve low back pain. A patient participating in the McKenzie program will perform a sequence of progressive exercises and stretches that allow for the spine to assume an extension position.

The Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage or “IASTM” treatment technique is a myofascial therapy approach in which physical therapists use metal or plastic instruments to treat a painful area of the body to improve soft-tissue mobility. The treatment is non-invasive, which means that the instruments are only used on the skin to affect the underlying soft tissue. The tools are used to treat the underlying muscle, fascia, tendons and scar tissue in order to stimulate the tissue to heal in a more organized pattern to facilitate improved ROM & function and decreased pain. 

It is no secret that injuries can occur with sports due to the wear and tear & physical demands that competitive and recreational sports can place on the body. Physical Therapy can help restore the body after injury to improve strength, range of motion, balance, flexibility and stability, while also identifying the factors that contributed to the injury in the first place. Often, muscle imbalances or overuse with muscle fatigue can lead to injury which, left untreated, can continue to perpetuate injury down the road. With skilled physical therapy intervention, we can prevent further injury and restore an injured athlete back to playing the sport that they love!

St. Francisville Rehab Services

10289 Gould Drive   |   St. Francisville, LA 70775   |   (225) 635-2448   |   email