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

Manual physical therapy in Clover Bottom, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Clover Bottom, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Clover Bottom, 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 Clover Bottom, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or call 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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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 tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other kinds of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates 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 Clover Bottom, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Clover Bottom, 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults deal with at some stage in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Clover Bottom, MO who suffer from sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker through 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 can be used 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 meaningful relief for. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Clover Bottom, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Clover Bottom, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Clover Bottom, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:

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 aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage, 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 specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive 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 gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. 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 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 aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it does carry certain risks, like 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 the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Clover Bottom, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore 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 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 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 works by applying pressure to particular points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Clover Bottom, 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 case, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Clover Bottom, 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
• Increased range of motion — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had an operation 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 tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, 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 being able to get back to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Clover Bottom, 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 Clover Bottom, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Clover Bottom, 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 Clover Bottom, 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 reach out to the location most convenient to you.