In my practice, as a physical therapist, and in my own life, as an athlete, I regularly use the following products:
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Hot Paks: Heat is a great source to warm up the muscles or start off your day if you have woken up with tense muscles. It is a type of modality that assists in reducing pain. It also helps achieve a state of relaxation.
- Cold Paks: These are a great way to end your day after stressing and injuring your joints and muscles or even being in a static seated position or on your feet all day. It helps reduce swelling and pain.
- TENS Units: These are electrical stimulation units that help reduce painful spasms, decrease tissue guarding and reduce pain. It is appropriate for high or acute levels or new pain.
- Elastic Bandage Wraps: These are used to reduce swelling of new or acute injuries; it allows compression and decreases chances for the further spreading of swelling to healthy tissues.
- Self Traction Devices: When used for the low back and neck, it helps separate the joints to allow proper nutritional exchange of injured spinal joints or joints that are being guarded.
- Biofreeze: This is an analgesic pain relieving gel that is applied to achy or painful areas. It is used for topical pain relief, like Ben-gay or Icy Hot.
- Kinesio and Rehabilitative Tape: These are great to use to assist muscles, in order to allow proper tracking for poor knee caps, or preventing overuse of certain muscles; they are also great for reducing swelling and re-educating muscles and joints to perform in the correct pattern.
I've found that the following website has great prices on these products.
Again, please discuss with your physical therapist or physician on the proper use of these products. Additionally, please look for forthcoming information in Exercise Tips and Fitness Blog regarding the use of these products.