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

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

Manual physical therapy in Farmington, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Farmington, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things 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 Farmington, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Farmington, MO that are keeping 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 meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 dates back to 400 BCE. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different 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 goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, 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 therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Farmington, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Farmington, 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 U.S. adults experience at some point 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 Farmington, MO who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of 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 issues in your joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
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 meaningful relief for. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Farmington, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Farmington, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

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 range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using various techniques such as massage, 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 adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. 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 achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain 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 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 quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by a physical therapist, as it does carry certain risks, like 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. 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 often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body 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 enhance the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Farmington, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 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 treatment plan, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Farmington, 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 can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Increased range of motion — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other accidents.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly great 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 stress — 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 above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Farmington, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Farmington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Farmington, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Farmington, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.