Manual Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Dellwood, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Dellwood, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Dellwood, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re suffering an illness or injury in Dellwood, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or call the location nearest 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 ailments. Also known 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Dellwood, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Dellwood, 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 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Dellwood, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating 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, speak to an Axes Dellwood, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Dellwood, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Dellwood, MO may use, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various 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 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, 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 best when used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible popping 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 aim of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.
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 Dellwood, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore 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 gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 works by applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Dellwood, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 trigger point. 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Enhanced flexibility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery quicker. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other medical 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 anxiety — Manual therapy can be a tranquil 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 improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, 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 Dellwood, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- 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
Manual Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Dellwood, 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Dellwood, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.
