Suncoast Spine and Injury Center

Electrical Muscle Stimulation or e-stim is used for pain relief. Mild electrical current is sent from a machine to adhesive patches on the skin and delivered into the muscle tissue below. The current will stop muscle spasms, providing pain relief.

Ultrasound therapy is designed to heal injured muscles quickly and is typically used when a patient is in the acute care phase or is in a lot of pain. Rapid vibration creates sound waves that travel into injured tissue and increase blood flow. Our unit uses both e-stim and ultrasound in a combination treatment where the ultrasound waves push the e-stim deeper into the tissue, breaking up inflammation, and reducing pain.

Intersegmental Traction or the “rolling bed” works by creating passive motion that causes mild stretching of the spinal joints and improves mobility. Intersegmental traction mobilizes the spinal column, while at the same time gently stretches the muscles and ligaments. It is sometimes used in conjunction with e-stim and is our patients’ favorite therapy.

Cervical/Lumbar Traction is designed to lightly stretch and create space in the joints to take pressure off a compressed nerve or spinal joint. This is typically used for neurological symptoms such as pain radiating into the arms or the legs.

Therapeutic Exercises are prescribed by the doctor when necessary to help facilitate healing and stabilization of a patient’s condition. This is not an intensive exercise routine, but rather simple strengthening or stretching exercises designed to help the patient heal faster. 

Soft tissue therapies (active release/myofascial release/muscle work/trigger point) are performed by the doctor and help prevent injuries, improve range of motion, promote flexibility, lower pain, and improve recovery time.