Manual Physical Therapy in Eureka, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Eureka, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Eureka, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Eureka, MO uses skilled hand movements, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and manipulation, to improve joint and muscle function, reduce pain, and restore mobility.. If you’re experiencing an illness or injury in Eureka, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location most convenient for 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 has been utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or in combination with 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 by itself. At Axes, our Eureka, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Eureka, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults deal with at some stage in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Eureka, MO who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through 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 can be used to reduce limited joint movement, 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 specific areas of the body.
- 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 tenderness, reach out to an Axes Eureka, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Eureka, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Eureka, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting 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 flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using numerous different 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 smooths out the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve 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 there typically isn’t any audible popping 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 a quick and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it can be associated with certain risks, like 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to cushion 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 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 areas of the body where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia 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 Eureka, 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. 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Eureka, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Enhanced range of motion — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients 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 affected body part.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be especially beneficial for patients recovering from 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.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
- Improved 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 returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Eureka, 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 Eureka, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Eureka, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Eureka, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed 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.
