Manual Physical Therapy in Campbellton, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Campbellton, 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 Campbellton, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Campbellton, 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 pain or mobility issues in Campbellton, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to find meaningful 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 used for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding structures. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or in concert 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 therapy used independently. At Axes, our Campbellton, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Campbellton, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults deal with at some point in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Campbellton, MO athletes who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat 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 issues in your joints, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating 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 limited mobility, consult with an Axes Campbellton, 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 physician to get you back to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Our Campbellton, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Campbellton, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves applying 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 range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively 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 popping sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, 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 relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.
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 surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Campbellton, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
During a myofascial release 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 slowly, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the effects of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Campbellton, 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 session, 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 your particular sessions, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Campbellton, MO Can Help You
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased flexibility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve 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 speed up the recovery process. This can be especially advantageous for patients recovering from an operation or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Improved mental health — 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 improve your overall quality of life. Patients can experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Campbellton, 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 Campbellton, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Campbellton, 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Campbellton, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.