Manual Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Cedar Hill, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area 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, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or alongside other types of therapy, 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 treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Cedar Hill, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Cedar Hill, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Cedar Hill

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Cedar Hill, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults suffer from at some juncture 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 injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Cedar Hill, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing 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 great at 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 stiffness, speak to an Axes Cedar Hill, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Cedar Hill, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Cedar Hill, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done 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 applies pressure and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness 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 sudden and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and relieve pain by realigning 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 typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by qualified healthcare professional, as it does carry 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Cedar Hill, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore normal movement. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of 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 restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by 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 tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Cedar Hill, 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 suggest trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO Can Help You

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 can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased mobility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help Cedar Hill, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging 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 advantageous for patients who recently had surgery 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 relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Better quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, 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 things they love.

Other services we offer in Cedar Hill, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Cedar Hill, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Cedar Hill

Manual Physical Therapy in Cedar Hill, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Cedar Hill, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Cedar Hill, 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 online or call the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Cedar Hill, MO