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

Manual physical therapy in Chesterfield, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Chesterfield, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

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 centuries 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in concert with other kinds 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 Chesterfield, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Chesterfield, 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 American adults experience at some point in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Chesterfield, MO who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease 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 slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in specific areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at 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 lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes Chesterfield, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Chesterfield, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Chesterfield, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering 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 flexibility, 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 exerts pressure and smooths out 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 often combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can come with 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 out internal organs and structures. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal movement. 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 TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to lengthen 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Chesterfield, 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 session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO

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

• Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Enhanced flexibility — 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 encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
• 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 beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, because 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 help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they love.

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

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Chesterfield, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Chesterfield, MO residents return to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.