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

Manual physical therapy in Flint Hill, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession 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 Flint Hill, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Flint Hill, 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 suffering an illness or injury in Flint Hill, MO that’s keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

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 known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments, 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 therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Flint Hill, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Flint Hill, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety 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 stage in their lifetime.
• 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 Flint Hill, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving 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 tenderness, reach out to an Axes Flint Hill, MO physical therapist to discover 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 physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Flint Hill, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Flint Hill, MO may use, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved 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 elongates the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. 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 used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to improve 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 limited range of motion 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 aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients 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 done by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Flint Hill, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen 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 particular points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Flint Hill, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue that is affecting you. The pressure is applied gradually and 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 suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Flint Hill, MO

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 can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
• Increased flexibility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Flint Hill, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging 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 particularly 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 tranquil 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 can experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Flint Hill, 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 Flint Hill, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Flint Hill, 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 Flint Hill, 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.