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

Manual physical therapy in Champ, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Champ, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love 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 Champ, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’re experiencing pain or mobility issues in Champ, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online 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 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 called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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 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 encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Champ, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Champ, 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 experience at some stage in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Champ, MO athletes who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the 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 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 suffering from pain or lack of motion, reach out to an Axes Champ, MO physical therapist to find out 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 doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Champ, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Champ, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. 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 administering 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 treat 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 light technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible 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. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, 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 serves to protect 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 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 mild to moderate, 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific 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 Champ, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During a trigger point therapy session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue that is affecting you. 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Champ, MO Can Help You

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

• Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
• Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Champ, 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 Champ, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Champ, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Champ, MO residents return to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location most convenient to you.