Biofeedback
Biofeedback improves muscle awareness and encourages greater muscular control and strength. Used in the rehabilitation of walking and muscular control of weakened muscle groups. Biofeedback is an interesting device that interacts with the user. Biofeedback also trains the mind to control certain body and mind functions: such as relaxation; temperature control; blood pressure; and muscle strengthening, among others.
Exercises
Exercises include strengthening, stretching, postural correction, muscle balancing and re-education of walking and moving. Electrical stimulation (faradic current) is an essential aspect of improving strength and mobility in the spine and in the periphery. Mirrors are also an important method of helping the brain to improve mobility and patients are encouraged to hide the injured limb behind a mirror while looking at the image reflected in the mirror (actually the uninjured limb) as it makes the brain see the ‘injured limb’ as completely mobile. The brain is then confused into believing that the injured limb has the ability to move normally. This restores normal conduction of impulses to and from the brain to the periphery.
Magnets
Magnets improve circulation and mobility. Magnet therapy is a simple, inexpensive and effective treatment for pain and trauma and promotes the healing of fractures. Magnet therapy has a wide range of applications, because of its ability to influence the magnetic field in the body by its affect on the circulation. Often magnets applied to a specific area, eg: shoulder, will improve range of motion immediately if applied in the correct position. This helps pain and strength as it enables the limb to attain a better movement and strength will then develop as the limb is moved in the normal day to day activities. It is usually a regenerative holistic therapy, since our bodies are good conductors of magnetic energy. (See effects of magnets: Acutouch)