Manual Physical Therapy in Byrnes Mill, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Byrnes Mill, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Byrnes Mill, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Byrnes Mill, 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 Byrnes Mill, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest you to find lasting relief.

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 illnesses and injuries. Also referred to as 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 affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or in combination with other techniques, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Byrnes Mill, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Byrnes Mill, 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults deal with at some stage in their lives.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Byrnes Mill, MO who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker with the help of 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 is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading 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 relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, consult with an Axes Byrnes Mill, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Byrnes Mill, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Byrnes Mill, MO may use, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done 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 smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to help 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 guides the joint through controlled motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and limit pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for 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 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 a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, limited 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 does carry 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, 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 boost 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 objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Byrnes Mill, 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Byrnes Mill, MO Can Help You

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

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
• Enhanced range of motion — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood 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 affected body part.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially great for patients recovering from an operation 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.
• Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, 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 love.

Other services we offer in Byrnes Mill, 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 Byrnes Mill, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Byrnes Mill, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Byrnes Mill, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.