Manual Physical Therapy in Earth City, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Earth City, 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 Earth City, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Earth City, 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 pain or mobility issues in Earth City, MO that are keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to find lasting relief.
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 used for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using 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, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Earth City, 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 Earth City, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults deal with at some juncture in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Earth City, MO who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker through 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 flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- 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 some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Earth City, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Earth City, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Earth City, MO may use, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. 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 exerts 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 commonly used to aid 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 passive 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 limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t 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 that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. 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 people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, like 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 serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal function. 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 areas of the body where there is restriction 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Earth City, 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 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Earth City, MO
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Reduced 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 mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Earth City, 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, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
- 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 particularly advantageous 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 anxiety — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
- Better quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Earth City, 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 Earth City, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Earth City, 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 Earth City, 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.
