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

Manual physical therapy in Foristell, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Foristell, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Foristell, 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 Foristell, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest 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 millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also known as 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, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help 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 alongside other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Foristell, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

• 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 be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Foristell, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging 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 lack of motion, consult with an Axes Foristell, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Foristell, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Foristell, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including 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 accomplished using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to treat 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 passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help 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 in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 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 boost 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 aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Foristell, 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 trigger point. 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Foristell, MO

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

• Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
• Increased range of motion — By regaining 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, for instance 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 particularly beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
• Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a calming 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 improve your overall quality of life. Patients can experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Foristell, 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 Foristell, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Foristell, 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 Foristell, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.