Advanced Physiotherapy For Knee Osteoarthritis | Cret Therapy At Cb Physiotherapy

 Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint conditions that affects millions worldwide, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can make even the simplest daily activities — such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair — challenging and painful. While traditional treatments help relieve symptoms temporarily, modern physiotherapy has evolved with innovative solutions designed for deeper, faster, and longer-lasting recovery.

At CB Physiotherapy, one such revolutionary technology making a significant difference in the treatment of knee OA is CRET Therapy (Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer) — an advanced electrotherapy modality that accelerates healing, reduces pain, and restores function naturally.

Let’s explore how advanced CRET therapy at CB Physiotherapy is transforming knee OA recovery.

 

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the gradual breakdown of articular cartilage — the smooth tissue covering the ends of bones inside the joint. As cartilage deteriorates, bones rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and loss of mobility. Over time, the surrounding muscles weaken and the joint may develop deformities if left untreated.

While OA cannot be “cured,” it can be effectively managed and its progression slowed down with the right physiotherapy intervention — and that’s where CRET therapy comes in.

 

What is CRET Therapy?

CRET (Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer) is an advanced form of radiofrequency (RF) therapy that works by delivering controlled electromagnetic energy into deep and superficial tissues of the knee joint.

Unlike traditional heat therapies that only affect the surface, CRET generates deep biological heating that improves circulation, promotes cellular regeneration, and accelerates the body’s natural healing response.

 

How CRET Therapy Works for Knee OA?

At CB Physiotherapy, CRET therapy is used as part of a comprehensive knee OA rehabilitation program. It works through three main mechanisms:

1. Deep Tissue Regeneration

CRET enhances cellular metabolism, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged tissues. This accelerates the repair of degenerated cartilage and soft tissues, helping to restore normal joint function.

2. Pain Reduction and Inflammation Control

The gentle thermal and electromagnetic effects reduce inflammation, edema, and stiffness in the joint. It also stimulates endorphin release, providing significant and lasting pain relief.

3. Improved Blood Flow and Mobility

By improving microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, CRET helps flush out waste products and toxins from the knee area. This leads to reduced swelling, improved range of motion, and better joint flexibility.

The result? A noticeable reduction in pain and stiffness after just a few sessions, and a faster return to comfortable, functional movement.

 

Advanced CRET Therapy at CB Physiotherapy

At CB Physiotherapy, our approach to CRET therapy is unique because it’s comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-specific.

Each treatment begins with a detailed clinical assessment to understand your condition’s severity, mobility limitations, and lifestyle factors. Based on this evaluation, your physiotherapist creates a personalized treatment plan that integrates CRET therapy with other complementary techniques for optimal results.

Here’s what makes our CRET-based recovery program so effective:

1. Targeted and Controlled Application

Our therapists use advanced CRET machines that allow precise control of energy delivery — ensuring the right depth, intensity, and duration for your specific knee condition. This ensures maximum therapeutic effect without discomfort or side effects.

2. Integration with Manual Therapy and Exercise

CRET therapy is often combined with manual therapy, joint mobilization, and customized exercise programs. This combination not only relieves pain but also restores movement, strengthens muscles, and improves joint stability.

3. Safe and Non-Invasive

Unlike surgical options or repeated injections, CRET is completely non-invasive and pain-free. It involves no downtime, allowing patients to return to their daily activities immediately after each session.

4. Accelerated Healing and Long-Term Benefits

Regular CRET sessions can significantly slow down OA progression, improve cartilage health, and enhance tissue elasticity — leading to sustainable long-term improvement.

 

Typical Recovery Plan with CRET at CB Physiotherapy

Your treatment journey may include the following stages:

1. Pain Relief & Inflammation Control

Initial sessions focus on reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness through targeted CRET therapy combined with cryotherapy or gentle mobilization.

2. Mobility Restoration

Once pain subsides, therapists work on improving joint range of motion through stretching, soft tissue release, and guided movement exercises — with CRET assisting in tissue relaxation.

3. Muscle Strengthening

Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles are introduced alongside CRET sessions to improve joint support and stability.

4. Functional Training

In later stages, you’ll work on daily functional movements — like squatting, stair climbing, and walking — ensuring smooth and confident mobility.

 

Why Choose CB Physiotherapy

At CB Physiotherapy, we pride ourselves on delivering advanced, technology-driven physiotherapy care. Our team of expert physiotherapists are trained in cutting-edge modalities like CRET, ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of treatment.

We combine advanced modalities with personalized exercise programs, ergonomic education, and lifestyle modifications to ensure holistic recovery and prevent future flare-ups.

Recovering from knee osteoarthritis doesn’t have to mean living with chronic pain or considering surgery. With Advanced CRET Therapy at CB Physiotherapy, you can experience a powerful, non-invasive solution that heals tissues from within, reduces pain, and restores your ability to move freely and confidently.

If knee pain is affecting your quality of life, it’s time to take control. Book your comprehensive knee assessment at CB Physiotherapy and discover how advanced CRET therapy can help you reclaim your strength, mobility, and comfort — one step at a time.

Managing Knee Osteoarthritis | Exploring the Benefits of Manual Traction Therapy | Blog by CB Physiotherapy, Active Healing for Pain Free Life.

 

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterised by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and impaired movement. As the condition progresses, the bones within the knee joint may begin to rub against each other, causing significant discomfort and reducing the quality of life. Treatment options vary from lifestyle modifications and medications to surgical interventions, but non-surgical approaches like physiotherapy are often sought to manage symptoms and delay the need for surgery.

Manual Traction: An Overview

Manual traction, a physiotherapy technique, involves the application of a gentle, pulling force to a joint to stretch the surrounding tissues, increase space within the joint, and potentially reduce pain. In the context of knee osteoarthritis, manual traction aims to alleviate pressure on the joint surfaces, improve mobility, and enhance the overall function of the knee.

The effectiveness of manual traction for knee osteoarthritis is an area of growing interest within the field of physical therapy. Several studies have explored its potential benefits, with findings indicating positive outcomes for many patients. Key benefits observed include:

1: Pain Reduction: By reducing joint compression, manual traction can help alleviate pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. This is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing severe discomfort due to bone-on-bone contact within the joint.

2: Improved Mobility: Manual traction can enhance the range of motion by stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. This can lead to improved function and greater ease in performing daily activities.

3: Decreased Stiffness: Regular application of manual traction may reduce stiffness in the knee joint, making movement less painful and more fluid.

4: Enhanced Joint Nutrition: The process of traction can promote synovial fluid movement within the joint, which is essential for nourishing the cartilage and maintaining joint health.

Techniques of Manual Traction

Manual traction can be performed using various techniques, each tailored to the patient’s specific needs and the severity of their osteoarthritis. Here are some commonly used methods:

1. Longitudinal Traction

a) Description: Longitudinal traction involves applying a pulling force along the axis of the leg to separate the joint surfaces.

b) Technique:
The patient lies on their back with the knee slightly bent.
The therapist gently grasps the lower leg near the ankle.
A steady, gentle pull is applied, creating a distraction force that separates the knee joint surfaces.

c) Benefits:
Reduces joint compression.
Alleviates pain by minimising bone-on-bone contact.
Can be adjusted in intensity to suit patient comfort.

2. Positional Traction

a) Description: Positional traction utilizes the positioning of the patient’s body to create a traction force on the knee joint.

b) Technique:
The patient is positioned in a way that gravity assists in creating a distraction force.
Common positions include lying on the side with the affected knee over the edge of the table, allowing gravity to pull the leg downward.

c) Benefits:
Requires minimal manual effort from the therapist.
Can be easily performed at home with proper guidance.

3. Manual Glides and Joint Mobilizations

a) Description: This technique combines manual traction with joint mobilization, involving oscillatory movements to improve joint mechanics.

b) Technique:
The patient lies comfortably, often on their back.
The therapist applies a sustained traction force while simultaneously performing gentle gliding motions of the joint surfaces.
Movements can be in different directions (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) to target specific areas of stiffness.

c) Benefits:
Enhances joint mobility by addressing specific restrictions.
Can be highly customized to the patient’s needs.

4. Assisted Devices and Techniques

a) Description: Various devices, such as traction tables or straps, can assist in providing consistent and controlled traction forces.

b) Technique:
Traction tables allow for precise control over the traction force and duration.
Straps and belts can be used to secure the patient’s leg and apply traction manually or mechanically.

c) Benefits:
Provides consistent and measurable traction forces.
Can be particularly useful for severe cases where manual traction alone is insufficient.

Combining Manual Traction with Other Therapies While manual traction can be effective on its own, combining it with other therapeutic modalities often yields better results. Some complementary therapies include:

1. Exercise Therapy
Regular, targeted exercises can strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve joint stability, and enhance overall function. Combining manual traction with exercises such as quadriceps strengthening, hamstring stretches, and low-impact aerobic activities like swimming or cycling can optimize outcomes.

2. Thermal Therapies
Applying heat or cold to the knee joint before or after traction sessions can help manage pain and inflammation. Heat therapy increases blood flow and relaxes muscles, while cold therapy reduces swelling and numbs pain.

3. Manual Therapy Techniques
Incorporating other manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue massage or myofascial release, can address muscle tightness and improve overall joint mechanics.

Patient Considerations and Safety When applying manual traction, it’s essential to consider the patient’s overall health, the severity of their osteoarthritis, and any contraindications. Factors such as osteoporosis, severe joint instability, or acute inflammation may necessitate modifications or alternative treatments. It’s also crucial to ensure that the traction force is gentle and within the patient’s comfort range to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

Manual traction represents a valuable non-surgical intervention for managing knee osteoarthritis. Its ability to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance joint health makes it a promising option for many patients. By understanding the various techniques and combining them with other therapeutic approaches, physiotherapists can tailored treatments to individual needs, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected by knee osteoarthritis. As with any therapy, ongoing research and clinical experience will continue to refine and validate the best practices for using manual traction in this context.