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

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

Manual physical therapy in Crestwood, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Crestwood, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Crestwood, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Crestwood, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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 structures. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Crestwood, MO physical therapists only use 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 Treat in Crestwood, 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults deal with at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Crestwood, 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 be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative condition that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Crestwood, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love 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 recommend for your treatment, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting 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 mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques including massage therapy, 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 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 often 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 utilized controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief 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 popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to 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 is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Crestwood, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore 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 TMJ.

During your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body 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 giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. 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 a trigger point therapy session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle 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 your particular sessions, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Crestwood, MO Can Help You

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 have 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 Crestwood, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing 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 advantageous for patients who recently had 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.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Better quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.

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 treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Crestwood, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Crestwood, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.