Manual Physical Therapy in Alton, IL | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Alton, IL: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Alton, IL. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Alton, IL physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Alton, IL uses skilled hand movements, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and manipulation, to improve joint and muscle function, reduce pain, and restore mobility.. If you’re suffering an illness or injury in Alton, IL that’s preventing you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

The IFOMPT defines “manual therapy” as:

a specialized area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.

Manual physical therapy dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or in concert with other types of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Alton, IL physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Alton, IL | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Alton

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Alton, IL

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults suffer from at some point in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Alton, IL athletes who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or lack of motion, reach out to an Axes Alton, IL physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Alton, IL Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Alton, IL may recommend for your treatment, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by a physical therapist, as it does carry certain risks, like injury or making the current injury worse.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Alton, IL physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain normal movement. Myofascial release is can be part of a treatment plan for a wide variety of injuries and conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Alton, IL physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During a trigger point therapy appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. The pressure is applied slowly and sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Alton, IL Can Help You

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced range of motion — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly great for patients recovering from an operation or other medical procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Alton, IL include:

Manual Physical Therapy Alton, IL | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Alton

Manual Physical Therapy in Alton, IL | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Alton, IL. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal health and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Alton, IL residents return to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.

Manual Physical Therapy Alton, IL