Crestwood, MO

Crestwood, MO

Get back to the things you love with Axes Physical Therapy.

Manual Physical Therapy in Crestwood, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Crestwood, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Crestwood, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Crestwood, 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 an illness or injury in Crestwood, MO that’s preventing you from the things you love most, 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 400 BCE. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes 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, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside 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 independently. At Axes, our Crestwood, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Crestwood, 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 American adults suffer from at some juncture 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 Crestwood, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through manual therapy.
  • Arthritis Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease 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 range of motion, and impede the disease from spreading further.
  • Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder 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 effective in relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Crestwood, MO physical therapist to discuss 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 – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Crestwood, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and elongates the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to treat 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 gentle technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively 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 there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by a physical therapist, as it can be associated with 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Crestwood, 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 TMJ.

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 gradually, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Crestwood, 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 part of your short tissue that is affecting you. 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Crestwood, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

  • Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
  • Enhanced range of motion — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. 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 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 surgery or other invasive procedures.
  • Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
  • Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because 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 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 Crestwood, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Crestwood, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Crestwood, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Crestwood, 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.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Acute Injury Management
  • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Scott Gallant
PT, FAAOMPT, BDN
Stacey Collins
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Stephanie Heubi
Front Office

Locations

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.