Manual Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Bridgeton, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Bridgeton, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back 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 Bridgeton, 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 suffering an illness or injury in Bridgeton, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to find meaningful 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 has been utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. 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 tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body 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 concert with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Bridgeton, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Bridgeton, MO
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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults deal with at some point 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 — Bridgeton, MO athletes who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of 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 issues in your joints, improve range of motion, 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 particular 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, reach out to an Axes Bridgeton, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team 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 Bridgeton, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Bridgeton, MO may use, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of 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 breaking down scar tissue. This can be accomplished using various 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 scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow motions along its natural path. The aim 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 stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing 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 a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable 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, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, like 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 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. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Bridgeton, 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 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, 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 can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased mobility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Bridgeton, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as 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 speed up the recovery process. This can be especially beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, 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 activities they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Bridgeton, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- 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
Manual Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.
