Physical therapy is the application of various modalities to the body in an effort to effect physiologic change to the tissues. Ice, heat, electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and diathermy are types of modalities used to speed up the healing process by either increasing or decreasing circulation to a part of the body. Ice is typically used to limit swelling and/or pain. Heat therapies are used to increase circulation to muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments, and to reduce spasm in muscle tissue. Physical therapy also encompasses the use of exercise, with and without machines, as well as range of motion exercises and stretching to help injured joints and tissues return to more normal function. At Northwest Wellness Center we have been utilizing physical therapies in our practice for the past 25 years and are completely familiar with how to best use this type of care to treat a wide variety of health problems, including sports injuries, neck and lower back pain and post surgical rehabilitation. Physical therapy equipment includes: