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

Manual Physical Therapy in Bethalto, IL: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Bethalto, IL. 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 Bethalto, IL 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 Bethalto, 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 Bethalto, IL that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to 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 has been utilized for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding structures. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or in concert with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Bethalto, IL physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Bethalto, IL

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

Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults deal with at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Bethalto, IL athletes who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through 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 limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in localized areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Bethalto, IL physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. 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 get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Bethalto, IL Physical Therapists Use

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

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 flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to treat 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 moderate technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and reduce 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 limited range of motion in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing 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 that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible 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, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Bethalto, 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 often used to treat a wide range of 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Bethalto, IL physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During your 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Bethalto, IL

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, 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 mobility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other accidents.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly great for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better 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, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Bethalto, IL include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Bethalto, IL | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Bethalto, IL. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Bethalto, IL residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.

Manual Physical Therapy Bethalto, IL