Manual Physical Therapy in Black Jack, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Black Jack, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Black Jack, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Black Jack, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Black Jack, MO that’s preventing you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location nearest you to find meaningful 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 referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology 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, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, 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 treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Black Jack, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

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

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:

• Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults experience at some juncture in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Black Jack, MO who suffer from sports injuries like 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 be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating 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 suffering from pain or tenderness, consult with an Axes Black Jack, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Black Jack, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of 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 mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief 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 it is usually performed without causing any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective 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 recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can come with certain risks, like 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Black Jack, 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 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 mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Black Jack, MO 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. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Black Jack, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

• Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
• Enhanced mobility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help Black Jack, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other injuries.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging 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 especially beneficial for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
• Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Black Jack, MO include:

• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Black Jack, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Black Jack, MO. 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 Black Jack, 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 through our website or call the location nearest you.