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Innovative Technology at Penn State Health Sports Medicine Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists create individualized plans that include exercise, manual techniques and utilize other tools to improve healing, decrease pain and decrease inflammation to aid in recovery and improve outcomes.
Our team combines hands-on expertise with advanced technology to help patients heal faster and return to activity safely.
Three examples of technology used in our clinic include:
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Laser therapy treatment affects tissue at a cellular level. It increases cellular metabolism to promote tissue healing and decreased pain levels. Laser therapy is used to treat acute, sub-acute and chronic conditions including strains, sprains, OA and tendinopathy.
Blood flow restriction training is a treatment option to optimize muscle performance. BFR is performed by taking the blood pressure of the upper or lower extremity and eliminating 80% of the blood flow to that region. This technique is thought to stimulate a high aerobic environment where muscles experience approximately the same level of restriction. The patient then performs exercises such as squats, bicep curls, leg extensions, etc. With blood flow elimination, muscle strength can be improved at an increased rate with lower loads and stress to the soft tissue and joints.
An anti-gravity treadmill reduces the percentage of body-weight pressure that occurs through the lower extremities. This is helpful in treating patients with weight bearing restrictions, gait abnormalities and ambulatory weakness. This treatment is often used to help patients return to jogging or running. It also allows patients to practice gait biomechanics with a decreased risk of injury.
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