Manual Physical Therapy in Calverton Park, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Calverton Park, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Calverton Park, 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 Calverton Park, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Calverton Park, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find lasting 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 over 2,000 years ago. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology 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 a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Calverton Park, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Calverton Park, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different 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 up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some stage in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Calverton Park, MO who sustain sports injuries such as 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 disorder that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Calverton Park, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our 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 Calverton Park, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Calverton Park, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. 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 applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a specific 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 combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t 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 a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative 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 Calverton Park, MO 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 mild to moderate, 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 further the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Calverton Park, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 part of your muscle that is affecting you. The pressure is applied gradually 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 your particular case, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Calverton Park, MO

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Enhanced mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Calverton Park, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. 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 body part.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
• Better quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can experience less stress, 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 Calverton Park, 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 Calverton Park, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Calverton Park, 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Calverton Park, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.