Manual Physical Therapy in Beaufort, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Beaufort, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Beaufort, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things 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 Beaufort, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re experiencing an illness or injury in Beaufort, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

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 over 2,000 years ago. Also called 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 a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other kinds of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Beaufort, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Beaufort, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American 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, stress, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Beaufort, MO who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat 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 issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple 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 tenderness, consult with an Axes Beaufort, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Beaufort, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Beaufort, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal 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 exerts pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly 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 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 controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and reduce pain by gently 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 a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. Myofascial release works by applying 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 your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body 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 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 Beaufort, 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Beaufort, MO Can Help You

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

• Reduced 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Enhanced mobility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk 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 area.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Beaufort, MO include:

• 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
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Manual Physical Therapy in Beaufort, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Beaufort, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Beaufort, MO residents return to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.