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

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

Manual physical therapy in Desoto, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Desoto, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities 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 Desoto, 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 pain or mobility issues in Desoto, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

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 utilized for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area 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. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or alongside other types of therapy, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates 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 Desoto, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Desoto, 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 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, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Desoto, MO who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating 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 experiencing pain or stiffness, consult with an Axes Desoto, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Desoto, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Desoto, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be achieved using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out 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 help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief 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 it is usually performed without causing 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 restore joint mobility and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore 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 your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to stretch 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 specific points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Desoto, 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 session, 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Desoto, MO Can Help You

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

Reduced 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.
Increased flexibility — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other accidents.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
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 great for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less stress, 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 Desoto, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Desoto, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Desoto, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Desoto, 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 online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.