Manual Physical Therapy in Ballwin, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Ballwin, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Ballwin, 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 treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Ballwin, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’re suffering pain or mobility issues in Ballwin, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or call the location most convenient for you to find lasting relief.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Ballwin, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Ballwin, 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 deal with at some juncture in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Ballwin, MO who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game 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 can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
- 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 help treat. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Ballwin, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Ballwin, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Ballwin, MO may use, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain by gently 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 cracking sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has experience with it, as it does carry certain risks, such as 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Ballwin, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore normal function. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.
During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction 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 effects of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Ballwin, 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 session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue that is affecting you. 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 some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Ballwin, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience 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 people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost 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 especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
- Better quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Ballwin, MO include:
- Neck Pain Treatment
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
Manual Physical Therapy in Ballwin, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Ballwin, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Ballwin, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.
