Information for Physicians & Providers
Our physical therapy clinic combines evidence-based rehabilitation with common sense and a holistic approach. We understand that recovery from surgery, acute injuries, and chronic conditions is time consuming and costly both in the direct costs of treatment as well as the indirect costs in quality of life, loss of productivity, and time away from work. Our mission to provide physical therapy services that are effective in both addressing the injury at hand, as well as educating the patient on how to prevent future injury and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Password Protected Provider's Page
Physicians and Providers who have received FVPT's informational packet can follow the link below for more in depth information and including videos and other media about FVPT's services. If you would like access to this page, and have not received a packet, please call us at (860) 673-0223 or email info@fvpt.com for login access.
evaluations within 24 business hours
We strive to minimize wait times for physical therapy visits, offering appointments for evaluation within 24 business hours of being contacted by the patient. Patients are seen anywhere from 1-3 times a week depending on their rehabilitation needs. We also offer convenient, evening group rehabilitation classes to supplement patients' physical therapy programs which clients balancing work obligations with recovery find especially helpful.
Appointments
The first appointment at FVPT includes both evaluation and initial treatment. This appointment last 60-90 minutes and includes a history, focused physical examination, and formulation of a rehabilitation plan. Evaluations include a significant amount of intensive one-on-one time with a physical therapist as the goal is to educate the as to the nature and cause of their injury and the expected course of rehabilitation.
Subsequent treatment appointments last 30-60 minutes with progressive amounts of independence in exercise. Patients are transitioned from intensive manual therapy with physical therapy staff to independently performing their therapeutic exercise program until they reach the point where a home exercise program is sufficient to maintain their recovery.
Supplemental Group Therapy/Group Exercise Classes
Patients at FVPT are given complimentary memberships to SOMA Movement Studio, a boutique fitness and injury prevention studio located in our building, for the duration of their treatment at FVPT. When appropriate, patients are encouraged to take an unlimited number of Hanna Somatic Movement (neuro-based muscle relaxing class) and Pre-Pilates (Pilates-based, beginner level strength and conditioning) to supplement their rehabilitation programs. While these fitness-based services are in themselves beneficial, they also add variety and fun to physical therapy which keeps patients engaged and compliant with their rehab programs. They also provide an avenue for patients to transition from rehabilitation into mainstream fitness when they complete their physical therapy programs to promote lifelong healthy habits.
Summary of Services Available
Physical Therapy
Traditional, evidence-based physical therapy that focuses heavily on manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and most importantly active patient participation.
Physical Therapy Modalities
Ultrasound (US): High frequency sound waves that produce a form of deep tissue heating for relief of pain and muscle spasm, promotes circulation, relaxes tight muscles/soft tissue – prepares tissues for stretching
Phonophoresis: Use of ultrasound to drive in topical medications through the skin. Medications are usually a form of cortisone and xylocaine. Used for treatment of localized inflammations, eg. Heel spurs, tendonitis.
Electrical Stimulation: Use of different forms of electrical current through surface electrodes that cause muscles to contract and relax. Used for relief of muscle spasm, pain and swelling and for muscle re-education and strengthening.
Iontophoresis: Use of electrical current to drive topical medications through the skin. Used for treatment of localized inflammation, scar softening, reduction in joint calcium deposits
Traction: A longitudinal pull or distraction of spinal segments for the relief of nerve irritation (radicultis) or muscle spasm by use of a machine on the cervical (neck) spine with the use of a neck halter or lumbar (low back) spine with the use of a pelvic belt attached to a patient lying down. Traction can also be done manually.
Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Use of low voltage electrical current through surface electrodes that overrides the sensation of pain.
Moist Heat (Hydrocollator): Produces a deeper heat than a dry heating pad. Increases circulation, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles/soft tissue, prepares tissue for other treatments.
Cold/Ice: Use of “ice packs” or “ice massage” in acute injuries and for pain relief (acute or chronic). Reduces swelling, inflammation, muscles spasm
Paraffin: A method of heating the body using paraffin wax and mineral oil. Usually applied to hands or feet where other applications of heat are difficult.
Sports Medicine
FVPT has expertise treating both chronic and acute sports injuries in the pediatric, adult, and mature populations. After pain and inflammation have subsided, we proceed onto strength and conditioning training with heavy focus on coordination and proprioceptive work.
Fall Prevention, Gait & Balance Training
Our fall assessment begins with an evaluation of risk factors for falls, optimization of assistive devices (canes, walkers, eyeglasses, etc), and counseling on how to prevent falls through modifications in the patient's home. After counseling the patient, we work on strengthening, proprioceptive and balance training using a variety of tools including stairs, balance barres, treadmills, modified supine plyometrics where appropriate as wells as state of the art computerized balance training using the HUR Labs platform which gives objective feedback to the patient about their control of their center of gravity.
Hanna Somatic Neuro-Education
Developed by neurophysiologist, Thomas Hanna PhD, these deliberate and gentle movement sequences, initially done with the assistance of a therapist, relax chronically tight muscles and create more coordinated and efficient muscle activation patterns. As patient gain control of their muscles (for example rigid low back, shortened hamstrings, tight piriformis, etc), they progress onto to doing Hanna Somatic Movement independently in the group class setting.
McKenzie Technique
Coming soon!
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to reduce pain and restore motion. FVPT combines myofascial release with gentle joint manipulation to improve passive range of motion.
Group Exercise and Rehabilitation Classes
Coming Soon!
LASER/Light Therapy
Coming Soon!
Temporomandibular Joint Discorder & Dysfunction Rehabilitation
Coming Soon!
Pilates-Based Rehabilitation [+]
Coming Soon!
Breast Cancer Post-Surgical Rehabilitation and Exercise (Pink Ribbon Program)
Coming Soon!
Trager Approach/Method
Coming Soon!
Massage [+]
Coming Soon!
Prehabilitation (Pre-Operative Rehabilitation/Optimization)
Coming Soon!
GYROTONIC® Method
A three-dimensional movement system focused on creating length and strength in the spine and extremities. All the movement is fluid and pulley weights create the sensation of weightlessness, resembling swimming. Both open chain and closed chain exercises are done to improve coordination and functional movement. FVPT is the first physical therapy clinic in Connecticut to offer Gyrotonic to patients in the rehabilitative setting.
Transitional Fitness
Coming Soon!
Traditional, evidence-based physical therapy that focuses heavily on manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and most importantly active patient participation.
Ultrasound (US): High frequency sound waves that produce a form of deep tissue heating for relief of pain and muscle spasm, promotes circulation, relaxes tight muscles/soft tissue – prepares tissues for stretching
Phonophoresis: Use of ultrasound to drive in topical medications through the skin. Medications are usually a form of cortisone and xylocaine. Used for treatment of localized inflammations, eg. Heel spurs, tendonitis.
Electrical Stimulation: Use of different forms of electrical current through surface electrodes that cause muscles to contract and relax. Used for relief of muscle spasm, pain and swelling and for muscle re-education and strengthening.
Iontophoresis: Use of electrical current to drive topical medications through the skin. Used for treatment of localized inflammation, scar softening, reduction in joint calcium deposits
Traction: A longitudinal pull or distraction of spinal segments for the relief of nerve irritation (radicultis) or muscle spasm by use of a machine on the cervical (neck) spine with the use of a neck halter or lumbar (low back) spine with the use of a pelvic belt attached to a patient lying down. Traction can also be done manually.
Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Use of low voltage electrical current through surface electrodes that overrides the sensation of pain.
Moist Heat (Hydrocollator): Produces a deeper heat than a dry heating pad. Increases circulation, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles/soft tissue, prepares tissue for other treatments.
Cold/Ice: Use of “ice packs” or “ice massage” in acute injuries and for pain relief (acute or chronic). Reduces swelling, inflammation, muscles spasm
Paraffin: A method of heating the body using paraffin wax and mineral oil. Usually applied to hands or feet where other applications of heat are difficult.
FVPT has expertise treating both chronic and acute sports injuries in the pediatric, adult, and mature populations. After pain and inflammation have subsided, we proceed onto strength and conditioning training with heavy focus on coordination and proprioceptive work.
Our fall assessment begins with an evaluation of risk factors for falls, optimization of assistive devices (canes, walkers, eyeglasses, etc), and counseling on how to prevent falls through modifications in the patient's home. After counseling the patient, we work on strengthening, proprioceptive and balance training using a variety of tools including stairs, balance barres, treadmills, modified supine plyometrics where appropriate as wells as state of the art computerized balance training using the HUR Labs platform which gives objective feedback to the patient about their control of their center of gravity.
Developed by neurophysiologist, Thomas Hanna PhD, these deliberate and gentle movement sequences, initially done with the assistance of a therapist, relax chronically tight muscles and create more coordinated and efficient muscle activation patterns. As patient gain control of their muscles (for example rigid low back, shortened hamstrings, tight piriformis, etc), they progress onto to doing Hanna Somatic Movement independently in the group class setting.
- Myofascial Release is a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to reduce pain and restore motion. FVPT combines myofascial release with gentle joint manipulation to improve passive range of motion.
Coming Soon!
- Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
A three-dimensional movement system focused on creating length and strength in the spine and extremities. All the movement is fluid and pulley weights create the sensation of weightlessness, resembling swimming. Both open chain and closed chain exercises are done to improve coordination and functional movement. FVPT is the first physical therapy clinic in Connecticut to offer Gyrotonic to patients in the rehabilitative setting.