How Physical Therapy Complements Your Medical Injections
If you’re struggling with osteoarthritis or a persistent musculoskeletal injury, you may have heard that medical injections–such as PRP therapy or cortisone shots–can help you find relief. And while that’s certainly true, it’s important to recognize these injections actually work best when combined with physical therapy.
At Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, we recognize how impactful medical injections can be for our patients. That’s why our team of PTs is happy to work with you and your medical provider to create a customized treatment program that helps you make the most of your injections so you can find genuine, lasting relief.
Video Tips of the Month
Preserving range of motion after an injection is essential to the rehabilitation process. The exercise videos are examples of common areas that receive injections.
Patient Success Story
“This team is great at what they do. Not miracle workers, but they know how the body works, and what to do to try and fix it. I have been here for multiple issues, and have found their routines have been able to overcome so many of my problems. I have to stick with doing the work to keep the aches and pains away, but finding that relief is something rare. I highly recommend their services to all.” – G.L.
Three Common Medical Injections (And Why You Might Be Considering Them)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
- PRP injections use a concentrated portion of your own blood to promote healing. The process involves taking a small sample of your blood, processing it to isolate the platelets, and injecting the platelet-rich plasma directly into the injured area.
- Platelets are rich in growth factors, which help repair damaged tissues like tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. This makes PRP a great supplement to physical therapy rehabilitation.
- Uses for PRP Injections
- PRP therapy is generally used to address chronic conditions that haven’t improved with traditional treatment alone, especially tendon issues, muscle tears, and joint injuries.
Cortisone Injections
- Cortisone is a powerful medication that can reduce pain and inflammation in the injured area. It’s particularly useful for conditions that involve swelling or irritation of the soft tissues or joints.
- Cortisone does not play a role in healing, but it does help control symptoms so you can more easily participate in rehab exercises.
- Uses for Cortisone Injections
- These injections can help manage pain from arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and joint inflammation.
Gel Injections
- Gel injections (also known as vicosupplement or hyaluronic acid injections) help lubricate your joints, especially your knee.
- One of the effects of osteoarthritis is a loss of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring joint fluid that helps keep your joints moving smoothly and comfortably. Gel injections replace that lost fluid and act as a cushion and lubrication to reduce friction and ease pain during movement.
- Uses for Gel Injections
- These injections are ideal for people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis who are not yet ready for surgery. They ease pain during movement so you can become more active, a key component in managing osteoarthritis.
Why Combine These Injections with Physical Therapy?
Medical injections can be life-changing for many people, especially those really struggling with pain. However, they don’t fix the underlying cause of that pain.
Physical therapy does. Our PTs will work closely with you to address movement dysfunction, muscular imbalances, and other issues so you can restore strength, coordination, and stability. During your sessions, you can expect:
- Long-term guidance to prevent flare-ups or future injury.
- A full evaluation to identify movement limitations or weaknesses.
- A customized plan that evolves as symptoms improve.
- Close monitoring to ensure you’re progressing at the right pace.
Meet Our Team
Jianrong Hong
PT, DPT
Stephanie Berman
ATC, General Manager
Sam Lodygowski
M.Ed, LAT, ATC
Four Benefits of Combining PT and Medical Injections
- Improved Mobility: Pain relief from injections allows you to move more freely during exercises, making it easier to participate in your sessions and see real progress.
- Better Long-Term Outcomes: While injections target symptoms, physical therapy helps correct imbalances, improve joint alignment, and build protective muscle strength. Together, they reduce the risk of recurring injuries or worsening joint degeneration.
- More Efficient Healing: Physical therapy introduces controlled stress to encourage tissue rebuilding in a safe, effective way. So, while PRP therapy might stimulate healing, incorporating physical therapy facilitates the healing process through to the end.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: One of the most significant benefits of PT is its personalized approach. We’ll make sure your program is aligned with your specific recovery goals.
Let Us Help You Get the Most Out of Your Treatments
If you’re struggling with pain, you may be tempted to skip PT and get a round of injections instead. However, pairing medical injections with physical therapy provides a truly comprehensive approach to healing and pain management, helping to reduce symptoms and restore your long-term function.
If you’d like to learn more about how PT at Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation can enhance the benefits of your medical injections, schedule an appointment with us today! We’ll help you build a plan that fits your goals and supports your recovery, no matter your needs.
Recipe of the Month: Homemade Hummus
Ingredients:
- 1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 large lemon
- 1/4 cup well-stirred tahini
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water or aquafaba
- Dash ground paprika, sumac, or Za’atar for serving
Instructions:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for 30 seconds more. This extra time helps “whip” or “cream” the tahini, making the hummus smooth and creamy.
- Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and then process for another 30 seconds or until well blended.
- Drain the chickpeas. Then add half of the chickpeas to the food processor and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the remaining chickpeas and process them until thick and relatively smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
- The hummus will likely be too thick and still have tiny bits of chickpea. To fix this, slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water or aquafaba with the food processor turned on until you reach the perfect consistency.
- Taste and adjust as needed. Serve hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika, sumac, or Za’atar.
- Store homemade hummus in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. Freeze, covered with a thin layer of olive oil, for up to one month.
