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

Manual Physical Therapy in Bella Villa, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Bella Villa, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Bella Villa, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Bella Villa, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Bella Villa, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you to find lasting relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help 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 love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in combination with other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Bella Villa, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Bella Villa, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Bella Villa

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

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 can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults deal with at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Bella Villa, MO who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Bella Villa, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Bella Villa, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Bella Villa, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques such as 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 particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. 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 combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain 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 is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves 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 adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Bella Villa, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 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 some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Bella Villa, MO

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 have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Bella Villa, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
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 encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may experience 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 Bella Villa, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Bella Villa, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Bella Villa

Manual Physical Therapy in Bella Villa, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Bella Villa, MO. 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Bella Villa, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most 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.