Manual Physical Therapy in Crescent, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Crescent, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Crescent, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Crescent, 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 Crescent, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.
What Is Manual Physical Therapy?
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 utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding structures. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It can help 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-invasive techniques that can be used alone or alongside other techniques, 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 Crescent, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Crescent, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of 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 an accident.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Crescent, MO who sustain 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 caused by the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Crescent, 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 physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Crescent, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Crescent, MO may recommend for your treatment, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid 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 gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief 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 that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited 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 can be accompanied by certain risks, like 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Crescent, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain 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 a myofascial release 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 gradually, allowing the fascia to lengthen 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 specific points in soft tissue 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 Crescent, 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Crescent, 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 restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the region.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery faster. This can be especially great for patients recovering from an operation 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 soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better 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 find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they love.
Other services we offer in Crescent, 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 Crescent, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Crescent, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Crescent, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or call the location nearest you.
