Manual Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Creve Coeur, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Creve Coeur, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients 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 Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with 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 dates back to 400 BCE. 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 encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or in concert with other forms of therapy, 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 therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Creve Coeur, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Creve Coeur, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some stage in their lives.
- 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 — Those who play sports in Creve Coeur, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field 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 is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve range of motion, 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 particular areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or lack of motion, consult with an Axes Creve Coeur, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Creve Coeur, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Creve Coeur, MO may use, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be done using numerous different techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 best when used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by passively 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be performed by a physical therapist, as it can be associated with 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 surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Creve Coeur, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain normal movement. 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 your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, 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 enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Creve Coeur, 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 appointment, 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, MO
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Decreased 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.
- Increased mobility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had an operation 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 calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better quality of life — With all the above 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 things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Creve Coeur, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Creve Coeur, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.