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

Manual Physical Therapy in Desloge, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Desloge, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Desloge, 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 we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Desloge, 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 experiencing pain or mobility issues in Desloge, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for 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 has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside other forms of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Desloge, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Desloge, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating 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 may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Desloge, MO 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 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 is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in localized areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, reach out to an Axes Desloge, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Desloge, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Desloge, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering 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 manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 often used alongside other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking 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 goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients 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 done by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can come with certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

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 Desloge, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore normal movement. 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 stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Desloge, 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 trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Desloge, MO Can Help You

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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced range of motion — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Desloge, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost 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 lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be especially beneficial for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
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 may experience 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 Desloge, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Desloge, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Desloge, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Desloge, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location most convenient to you.