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

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

Manual physical therapy in Concord, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Concord, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Concord, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Concord, MO that are keeping 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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. 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 numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other kinds of therapy, 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 Concord, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.

Manual Physical Therapy Concord, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Concord

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

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different 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 deal with at some juncture in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Concord, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury 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 range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder 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 a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, consult with an Axes Concord, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Concord, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be done using various techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and elongates the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when combined with 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 guides the joint through controlled motions within its natural range of movement. The goal of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion 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 reestablish a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by qualified healthcare professional, as it does carry certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Concord, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 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 Concord, 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 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Concord, 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.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Concord, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as 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 make your recovery quicker. This can be particularly advantageous for patients recovering from surgery or other medical 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 stress — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, 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 love.

Other services we offer in Concord, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Concord, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Concord

Manual Physical Therapy in Concord, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Concord, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Concord, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.