Manual Physical Therapy in Avon, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Avon, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Avon, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Avon, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Avon, MO 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 pain or mobility issues in Avon, MO that are keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to find lasting relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

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 400 BCE. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment 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 blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other forms of therapy, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Avon, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Avon, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Avon

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Avon, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults suffer from at some stage in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Avon, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury 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 range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
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 treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or limited mobility, speak to an Axes Avon, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Avon, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Avon, MO 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 relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved using various techniques including massage, 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 specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

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 serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Avon, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal function. 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 TMJ.

During your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular 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 Avon, MO 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. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, and it’s sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Avon, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced range of motion — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Avon, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
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 who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Avon, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Avon, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Avon

Manual Physical Therapy in Avon, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Avon, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Avon, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location most convenient to you.