Manual Physical Therapy in Dardenne Prairie, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Dardenne Prairie, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Dardenne Prairie, 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO that are preventing you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to find lasting relief.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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 tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in concert with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Dardenne Prairie, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Dardenne Prairie, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults suffer from 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, anxiety, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Dardenne Prairie, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker with the help of 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 issues in your joints, improve range of motion, and impede the disease from progressing further.
- 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 effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, consult with an Axes Dardenne Prairie, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to us 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 with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Our Dardenne Prairie, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Dardenne Prairie, MO may use, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. 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 soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to help 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 applies controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by gently 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 it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable 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, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry 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 serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Dardenne Prairie, 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 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 a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the effects 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 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 Dardenne Prairie, 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. 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 suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Dardenne Prairie, MO Can Help You
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced range of motion — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Dardenne Prairie, MO resident 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 increasing 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 particularly beneficial for patients recovering from an operation or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
- Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, 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 activities they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Dardenne Prairie, 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Dardenne Prairie, 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Dardenne Prairie, 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 reach out to the location nearest you.
